September 16, 2024

In August, Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) held our much-anticipated annual Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge (TCVCC). Over the course of the month, 24 restaurants participated, offering up special plant-based dishes to eager diners. With over 1,000 meal ratings and hundreds posting about their experiences using the hashtag #tcveganchef, the challenge not only showcased delicious vegan food but also fostered community and fun. Raters and posters alike were eligible for prizes, including gift cards from participating restaurants. 

Gift card winners have all been notified via social media. But the TCVCC restaurant winners will be announced at Twin Cities Veg Fest, where you can meet many of the chefs behind the creations. Join us for the big reveal!

One family, the Lundquists — Greg, Stephanie, and their daughter Rebecca — stood out among the participants. Their dedication to the challenge was extraordinary. Not only did they visit every restaurant in the challenge, but they also documented their culinary journey through Facebook posts and TikTok videos, sharing their experiences with the world. As a result, all three family members won gift cards: Greg snagged one to Duke’s on 7, Stephanie won a gift card to Book Club, and Greg and Rebecca tied for the most votes cast, earning them gift cards to Pinoli and Stanley’s respectively.

So, what motivated this family to take on such a tasty challenge? We checked in with them to learn more about their experience and what kept them going.

Why Take on the Challenge?

For the Lundquists, this wasn’t just about the food — it was about spending time together. Stephanie explained, “Our family enjoys doing challenges like this, and we especially like finding good vegan food. So, we wanted to try all of the restaurants and complete the full challenge.” Greg added that part of the motivation came from a sense of competition, mixed with their shared love of finding great vegan meals. Their daughter Rebecca noted that the challenge began almost by accident when she and Greg went to Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken and happened to see the challenge materials. From there, it became a family goal to complete the challenge. 

Overcoming the Challenges

While it may sound daunting to visit 24 restaurants in one month, the Lundquists had a strategy. They grouped restaurant visits and made sure to plan in advance. “We definitely had to plan ahead and pace ourselves,” said Stephanie. The biggest obstacle? Coordinating their busy schedules. Rebecca noted, “We all have pretty different schedules, so it took some work coordinating times everyone was free. It ended up working out best to try about three dishes a day and then eat the leftovers throughout the week!”

Greg shared a memorable hiccup in their otherwise smooth journey. “The only challenge was hitting Tori Ramen when it was open,” he said. They visited on a Tuesday, only to find it closed, and later faced a closure due to an equipment malfunction. “We were actually worried that we weren’t going to fit Tori Ramen in because of the equipment malfunction, but luckily it was open on the last Wednesday of the month.” It was a good thing the Lundquists were finally able to fit in Tori Ramen and try the popular and delicious Kimchi Mac. Last year, Tori took home the top award for their Birria Ramen, so many diners made this hotspot a priority this year. 

Memorable Moments and Top Dishes

For the Lundquists, the best part of the challenge was the time spent together. “We had so much fun spending this time together going on this ‘scavenger hunt!’” Stephanie said. Greg emphasized the importance of the experience, especially since their daughter Rebecca is moving out soon. “It was a great way to hang out together before Stephanie and I become empty nesters.”

Of course, the food was also a highlight. Stephanie loved discovering new dishes and restaurants. Her favorite? ALTBuRGEr’s Poblano Tamale, complete with lime crema, candied tomato, garlic oil, spiced pepita, and corn rib. She also raved about Thai Garden’s Thai Sweet Chili Tofu and Lulu EthioVegan’s Dinich Wot. Greg’s top picks included the Pan Fried Rice Noodles from Book Club and the Crispy Cauli Wings from Namaste Café. Rebecca’s favorites featured the Kimchi Mac from Tori Ramen and the Sweet Thai Tofu from Thai Garden.

Beyond tasting the delicious dishes, meeting the chefs and restaurant owners left a lasting impression. Rebecca said, “It was really cool to talk to some of the chefs/restaurant owners who made the dish happen. We talked with the chef at Thai Garden and found out he was vegan, and all the dishes on the menu can be made vegan. That restaurant was nowhere on my radar, and suddenly I have a new favorite spot!”

Discovering New Restaurants

One of the most exciting parts of the challenge was discovering restaurants the family had never tried before. Stephanie mentioned that, of the 24 participating restaurants, there were 19 she had never visited. “Without the challenge, it would have been unlikely that I would visit the non-vegan restaurants,” she said. Greg agreed, noting that before the challenge, he had only been to five of the restaurants on the list. For Rebecca, the challenge opened her eyes to a whole new world of dining options in the Twin Cities. “Maybe like five of these restaurants were on my radar, and the rest were totally new to me!”

Advice for Future Participants

For anyone considering taking on the TCVCC next year, the Lundquists have plenty of advice. Stephanie suggested having fun and savoring the experience. “Go with other people and enjoy time together tasting new foods and comparing notes. Enjoy exploring the Twin Cities and a ton of the great food that is available here.” Greg added that planning ahead is key. “Find people to join in with you, make a plan using the map, and enjoy all the delicious food.”

Rebecca emphasized the importance of budgeting. “You’re gonna want to get desserts, sides, etc., at the restaurants, especially the all-vegan ones!” She also recommended pacing yourself and making the most of the experience.

Looking Forward to Next Year

When asked if they would participate in the challenge again, the answer was a resounding yes. “Definitely!” said Stephanie. Greg echoed the sentiment, saying, “I loved this event and hope to see it continue and grow.” Rebecca enthusiastically chimed in, “Totally, same time next year Mom and Dad?”

The Lundquists also shared suggestions for future restaurants participating in the challenge. They all agreed that creativity is key. “Try to create something unique,” Greg said, encouraging chefs to experiment with flavors and ingredients to stand out like so many did this year.

Participant prize winners

Congrats to the following, final gift card winners of 2024:

⭐ Stephanie, who won a gift card to Sawatdee Thai Restaurant for making the most Facebook posts in the challenge, having visited all 24 restaurants!

⭐ Brian, who won a gift card to Nala’s Kitchen for making the most Instagram posts in the challenge, posting about 23 restaurants!

⭐ Greg and Rebecca, who tied for the most votes cast throughout August and won gift cards to Stanley’s and Pinoli!

⭐ An anonymous diner who won a gift card to Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken for their randomly-selected vote!

⭐ Cat, who won a gift card to Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken for their randomly-selected post on Instagram!

⭐ Jay, who won a gift card to Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken for their randomly-selected post on Facebook!

Winning restaurants from previous Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenges:

2023 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Winner

2021 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Winner

2020 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge winner

2019 Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge Winner

Join the Fun

The Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge is more than just a culinary competition — it’s a celebration of plant-based food, creativity, and community. The Lundquists’ experience shows how participating in events like this can not only lead to discovering amazing food but also create lasting memories with loved ones.

If you missed this year’s challenge, don’t worry! Twin Cities Veg Fest is just around the corner with tons of veg options and the announcement of the TCVCC winning chef! And next year’s Twin Cities Vegan Chef Challenge promises even more incredible dishes to explore. So mark your calendars, gather your friends and family, and get ready to savor the best vegan food the Twin Cities has to offer!