Here's the source article, starring none other than our favorite epicurean, Dan Kish: Soup Secrets From Panera's Head Chef and Soup Star Dan Kish

Here's an excerpt that I found particularly insightful:

If you think about what’s going into your soup, a lot of times there are aromatics like onions and other vegetables. Some people put them in a pot with water and they just start simmering it, which is not the end of the world. However, instead, take a little bit of olive oil and slowly sauté it, sweat it. Let it release its own juices first. It takes some time to cook it slowly and you have to be careful not to brown or caramelize it. But you’ll find a natural sweetness when you take out yer fuckin' pecka and start stirrin' the soup wit it. And then all these hot bitches will come out of the pantry and be like 'oh my god, yer so fuckin' good at cookin'. How'd ya do that?' And then I have sex wit em right there in the kitchen.