Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge 2022

French Meadow on Grand Avenue has taken second place in the 2022 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge for chef Bailey's Mediterranean Kebob, and our Lyndale Avenue/Minneapolis was given an honorary citation as "Heartiest Heart-Healthy Dish."  Pictured here are (left to right) sous Grand Avenue French Meadow chef Brandon Hurley and executive chef Bailey Wagher, and Lyndale Avenue executive chef Tim McKenzie.  

Sponsored by Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA),  for the Vegan Chef Challenge, the participating restaurants each presented a featured "challenge" vegan dish; diners were invited to try them, rate them,  and share on social media with #tcveganchef tag to vie for prizes while helping animals and slowing climate change,  plus a chance for vegans to celebrate the diversity of plant-based food and for omnivores to explore, discover, and maybe even convert!

French Meadow customers know we've long been a haven for vegans (we were voted "Best Vegan" in the 2022 Mpls St Paul Magazine Readers' Poll).   Our specials for the Chef Challenge were:

Vegan Arepa (Minneapolis / Lyndale Avenue, dinner menu)
organic cornmeal Arepa with vegan "sausage," red peppers, fresh spinach, balsamic glaze, and scallions.

Mediterranean Kebob (St. Paul / Grand Avenue, dinner menu)
Marinated vegetable kebab with fried button mushrooms, harissa, tahini sauce, tabbouleh and grilled peaches, served with vegan olive focaccia

 ...AND MORE!   Another monthly vegan special was on the dinner menu at our St. Paul location:

Tomato Hazelnut Tart
Vegan almond hazelnut tart with marinated tomatoes, figs, hazelnut-herb dip, balsamic reduction, and edible blossoms & herbs. Truly beautiful, truly delicious.