March 12, 2024
The 2025 Compassionate Action for Animals (CAA) Vegan Chili Cook-Off was a big hit! It took place on March 2nd at the University of Minnesota in the Great Hall at Coffman Memorial Union. The event brought together 115 people, including 75 students, who got to enjoy tasty vegan chili made by some of the best chefs in the Twin Cities.
The first 100 guests got raffle tickets, giving them a chance to win one of five gift cards donated by the chili competitors. The room was full of energy as everyone tasted and rated the chilis to help pick the winner.
Vegan Byy Nature Takes the Win!
Vegan Byy Nature came ready to impress. Their goal is to use food to educate and bring communities together, one meal at a time. They wowed the crowd with their birria-style chili and cornbread topped with fresh cilantro. Their dish earned the top spot with a high score of 4.49 out of 5!
Their chili had a mix of tender plant-based protein, rich broth, and just the right amount of spice. The crowd loved it, showing how great vegan food can taste.
Meet the Vegan Chili Cook-Off Competitors
Each competitor had a different take on chili, giving everyone lots of delicious choices to sample. All of the competitors were professionals, showcasing their tasty plant-based dishes, and received rave reviews! Here are the rest of the contestants:
- impulse juice co.: This juice company was new to the cook-off but made a splash with their Beetroot Cacao Chili. The mix of earthy beets and chocolatey cacao was a creative twist that surprised and pleased the crowd.
- Lulu EthioVegan Cuisine: Last year’s champions, Lulu EthioVegan Cuisine, brought back their Ethiopian-inspired chili with a few new touches. Their well-balanced spices showed why they are a strong competitor every year.
- veganwitt: Also new to the Cook-Off, veganwitt’s owner, Wilton, used his African American and Cameroonian roots to create a chili full of deep, rich flavors. His cultural influences made his dish stand out.
- Vitalist Fresh: Vitalist Fresh, known for their bright and fresh food, entered the competition with a chili featuring traditional spices and a cashew nacho cheese sauce. The sauce could be eaten with chips or mixed into the chili, adding a fun and creamy twist that attendees loved.
A Great Response for the 14th Annual Vegan Chili Cook-Off
The Cook-Off got lots of positive feedback. Attendees loved the welcoming vibe, great food, and friendly atmosphere. Check out some of the rave reviews for the event:
- “What an amazing event! VEGAN FOR THE ANIMALS!”
- “Thank you for a wonderful event!”
- “The best part was the community coming together. Everyone was so friendly.”
- “The chilis were all fantastic, nice giveaways, well organized and presented.”
Thanks to Our Volunteers!
CAA’s Community Organizer, Tamuno Imbu, coordinated the event with the help of a great team of volunteers.
- Planning Committee: Tamuno Imbu was joined by volunteers: Rianna Engel, Blake Jordan, and Ronan Magnus, who worked hard behind the scenes to plan and organize the big event.
- Day-of Event Helpers: Brita Bengtson, David Rice, Eric T., Fela Denman, Jennifer Magnus, JoJo Garcia, Keelin Bergeson, Kelso Anderson, Michael Odell, Mick Kaufer, and Nicole Emanuel kept things running smoothly.
- Photographer: Murph Orton, from Murph. D Studios, took wonderful photos all day (see the slideshow above for his work).
Wonderful Food Donations Supplemented the Competitors’ Chilis
Several volunteers brought homemade chilis, non-alcoholic drinks, and cornbread for all. This added a special touch to the day and showed the strong sense of community at the event.
La Perla donated both white and yellow corn tortilla chips, which were a perfect accompaniment to both the competitors’ chilis and the community chili available to everyone. Molten Chocolates also showed their support by donating delicious truffles as a treat for volunteers.
A Celebration of Community and Compassion
CAA’s 14th annual Vegan Chili Cook-Off wasn’t just about great food. It was a chance for the community to come together and show support for plant-based living. The event helped spread the message of choosing kind and compassionate food options.
If you missed this year’s event, don’t worry! CAA hosts many events throughout the year, including Twin Cities Veg Fest, the biggest vegan festival in the Midwest.
For more info on future events or to find out how to volunteer, follow us online and on social media. We hope to see you at next year’s Vegan Chili Cook-Off!
You can also check out the details from last year’s Vegan Chili Cook-Off in our blog and slideshow.