Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge

Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) is delighted to announce the winners of the 2022 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge!

The award ceremony was held at the Twin Cities Veg Fest on September 18.  Twenty nine restaurants participated in the challenge and there was a special award for each one based on comments made by diners.  The ratings of diners determined the top three spots. 

Winners of the Vegan Chef Challenge: 

1. Reverie Cafe + Bar  — Korean BBQ Mock Duck Tacos 

2. French Meadow on Grand — Mediterranean Kebab 

3. Insane Vegan — Brisket on Texas Toast 

For more information on these winners and all the other awards go to our blog.

The 2022 challenge brought over 1,000 diners to restaurants and 29 new and classic vegan dishes to diners throughout the month of August.

The fifth annual Vegan Chef Challenge will happen in 2023. Invite friends and family to join you in trying out vegan specials created for the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge. That’s right—you can help animals and slow climate change just by eating out with friends!

What is the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge?

Chefs and Restaurants create a vegan dish for diners to purchase, enjoy and rate online throughout August.

Diners visit participating restaurants throughout August, enjoy the challenge dishes, and rate the dishes online. This is one of many ways to win prizes from participating restaurants.

Ways to Win Prizes

  • Vote-every voter is entered to win a restaurant gift certificate or swag. The more restaurants you rate and the sooner you rate them, the more likely you are to win! A winner is selected each week. You must cast your vote by September 5. Also:
    • Cast the most votes—the person who rates the largest number of restaurants will win a gift certificate!
  • Post photos and reviews with #tcveganchef on social media—we’ll choose a winner each week from the tagged posts! Be sure your post is public so we can find it. Also:
    • Five posts on social media—the first person to publicly post about five different meals on either Facebook (tag Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge @tcveganchefchallenge) or Instagram using the #tcveganchef hashtag will win a prize!
    • Post the most #tcveganchef posts on social media—you know what to do!

Diners can win multiple prizes. Winners will be announced on our social media channels and in our newsletter. (Subscribe top right). Follow us on social media by clicking the buttons below.

Choosing the Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Champion

At the end of the challenge, a champion restaurant and other winners are selected based on the diners’ votes. The awards ceremony will be held at 3:30pm at Twin Cities VegFest on Sunday, September 18.

Want to Try More Veg Eating?

If you or your friends want to try a veg lifestyle, you can also take the fun and free 21-day Explore Veg Challenge to get a free recipe and shopping guide and email support!

2022 Participating Restaurants

Click Here for a map of participating restaurants!

Advellum Vegetable Eatery
Wild Boomer Burger

Barbette
Seared Porcini Gnocchi
Barbette Seared Porcini Gnocchi
Book Club Charred Napa Cabbage and Rice Noodles
Book Club
Charred Napa Cabbage and Rice Noodles

The Block Food + Drink
Fried Chicken with Loaded Mashed Potatoes
The Block Chicken Fried Chicken
Cafe Racer Kitchen Casava Spring Roll + Gazpacho + Crispy Rice Fritter 1 .jpg
Cafe Racer Kitchen
Cassava Spring Roll w/ Gazpacho &
Crispy Rice Fritter

La Cocina de Ana
Chikn Tinga / Tinga Sin Pollo
Crepe and Spoon
Chorizo Elote Crepe
Duke’s on 7
Curried Cauliflower Koshimbir

French Meadow Cafe + Bluestem Bar
Arepa

French Meadow on Grand
Mediterranean Kebab

Gigi’s Cafe
Tahini Mushroom Pasta Bowl

The Howe Daily Kitchen & Bar
Vegan Samosa Wrap
Insane Vegan
BBQ Brisket on Toasted Texas Bread
J. Selby’s
Buckaroo Burger

Keefer Court Bakery & Cafe
Vegan Egg Custard Tart
Mill Valley Kitchen
Jamaican Jerk Jackfruit


Muddy Tiger
Vada Pav
Food truck
Check “Locations” for events+hours
Namaste Cafe
Namaste Portobello Burger
The Naughty Greek
Falafel Pita w/ Salacious Eggplant Spread
Parkway Pizza
Philly Cheese-fake Pizza

Pat’s Tap
Southern Fried Seitan Sandwich
Pub 819
“The Mellow Mushroom” Sandwich
Red Stag Supperclub
Pan-Roasted Cauliflower Steak
Reverie Cafe + Bar
Korean BBQ Mock Duck Tacos
Root To Rise
Root to Rise
Fried Maitake and Hemp Waffles
Seed Cafe
Kale Caesar Wrap

Stanley’s NE Bar Room
The Cauliflower Power Tacos
Tiny Diner
Sesame Glazed Crispy Tofu
Wok in the Park
Korean Jjajangyeon

Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge in the News

Here’s what we heard from past voters:

  • “I love this vegan chef challenge and appreciate all who participate!”
  • “The Vegan Chef Challenge dish was the only vegan item on the menu. We live in the neighborhood but always have to drive to a vegan destination. We’d frequent this restaurant if they added a few vegan options.” 
  • “It’s the best thing I ever had there. Very satisfying and balanced and colorful and just great.” 
  • “Might have been the best thing I’ve eaten all year. Amazing.”
  • “By far the best vegan food I have ever put in my mouth!”
  • “It’s so great to have a truly delightful vegan meal in the food court with all my non vegan friends. Instead of having to settle for a basic option or a beyond burger option – I felt like I had the best meal in the group.”
  • “Great shop, first time I’d been there and I can’t wait to go back!”
  • “So great to see restaurants that don’t normally have as many vegan options make great vegan dish. Please have this contest every month!”
  • “Some of the best food – especially for a vegan option! I can’t wait to go back again for more :)”
  • “One of the best dishes I have ever had! Great experience and amazing food!”

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Upcoming Events

Friday, April 14, 2023

UMN Student Group Vegan Food Giveaway

Monday, April 17, 2023 - Monday, April 24, 2023

Cooking Class: Vegetable Irish Stew with Tamuno Imbu

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Vegan Recipe Club (Zoom)