Winning restaurant named for Champaign Vegan Chef Challenge 2024

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The votes are in, and a winner has been named for the 2024 Champaign Vegan Chef Challenge.

Throughout April, 20 local restaurants dished out plant-based foods for more than 300 patrons to vote on. This marks the second year that nonprofit Vegan Outreach has hosted the event. Siam Terrace won the first Champaign Vegan Chef Challenge in 2023 against 12 other restaurants.

Vegan Outreach said that the challenge helps local eateries develop more vegan options, which can result in more customers.

“If a group of friends is planning a dinner out on the town, and one of them is vegan, the entire group will skip a restaurant without good vegan options,” former chef Alex Bury said.

For the 2024 Champaign Vegan Chef Challenge, The Literary came out on top. The book bar also won “Best Brunch” for their matcha pancakes. The dish is topped with a lemon-coconut curd sauce, fresh fruit, and shredded coconut.

Tied for second place was A Taste of Both Worlds, which was also deemed to have the “Best Overall Menu,” and Kohinoor Indian Restaurant, which additionally earned “Best Service.”

Here is the complete list of awards:

• Best Appetizer & Best Entree: Siam Terrace
• Best Value & Best Dessert (Tie): ClarkLindsey
• “I Can’t Believe This is Vegan” Award: Big Grove Tavern
• Best Salad: Martinelli’s Market
• Best Dessert (Tie):
  • Hopscotch Bakery + Market
  • ClarkLindsey
• Best Sandwich: Watson’s Shack & Rail
• Best Vegan Comfort Food: Stango Cuisine
• Best Presentation: Sakanaya
• Best Arancini: Billy Barooz Pub & Grill
• Most Creative: El Paraiso
• Best Bistro: Pekara Bistro
• Hidden Gem: The Poke Shack
• Best Vegan Date Night Destination: Seven Saints
• Best Views: Alto Vineyards
• Featured Participating Venue: Maize at the Station
• Featured Participating Venue: The Space

For those who want to try their own vegan challenge, Vegan Outreach encourages trying their free “10 Weeks to Vegan” program. Through the challenge, participants replace one animal product per week with a vegan version. The program also provides nutritional tips, product recommendations, and recipes. See www.10weeks.org for more details.

For more information on the Champaign Vegan Chef Challenge, visit the website .

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