The Vegan Chef Challenge is coming to Peoria. Here's what to know

Note: This article will be updated as additional restaurants sign up for the Vegan Chef Challenge.

Area restaurants will soon take part in Peoria’s first Vegan Chef Challenge, which will begin on April 1 and will run through April 30.

For the challenge, restaurant chefs will introduce fresh, new vegan dishes to the menu. The community will then be able to try the dishes and cast votes for their favorites. Customers are also encouraged to share photos and leave comments about their meal.

Amy Ashley-Raher is organizing the Peoria event. She said the goal is to reach many people in the community – not just those who are already vegan – during the challenge.

“There are a lot of people trying to incorporate more plant-based meals in their diets for a variety of reasons,” Ashley-Raher said. “This challenge is a way for chefs to see what works best for their customers.”

The challenge’s frequently asked questions page traces the beginning of the event to Durham, North Carolina, in 2010. A year later, Sacramento, California introduced the challenge.

According to the website, the event eventually, “caught the attention of Vegan Outreach, who saw the huge value of adding more vegan options to restaurants. Vegan Outreach now supports Vegan Chef Challenges across the nation.”

The event has also recently taken place in other areas of the state. Bloomington hosted the Vegan Chef Challenge in January, and in Springfield, the event took place in October 2023.

Participating Peoria businesses currently include:

• Ardor Breads and Provisions: 301 SW Water St., Peoria

• Brienzo's Wood Fired Pizza: 4450 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights

• Chef Moussa:  201 E. Lake Ave., Peoria

• Craft309 Kitchen + Bar: 500 Hamilton Blvd., Peoria

• Cyd’s in the Park: 5805 Knoxville Ave., Peoria

• EatAndEvolve: 5832 Knoxville Ave. Suite K, Peoria

• The Fieldhouse Bar & Grill: 1200 W. Main St. #24, Peoria

• Hacienda El Mirador: 5805 N. Humboldt Ave. Suite 1, Peoria

• Intuition Coffee + Juice: 734 Main St., Peoria

• Kelleher’s Irish Pub & Eatery: 619 Southwest Water St., Peoria

• LeBakery: 4700 N. University St. #14a, Peoria

• MD's Sports Bar & Grill: 7719 N. University St., Peoria

• Molly's Pizzeria: 223 Cedar St., Chillicothe

• The Queen of Squash: 1108 W. Glen Ave., Peoria

• Rhythm Kitchen: 305 SW Water St., Peoria

• Tadoughs: 7024 N. University St., Peoria

• Wendy Puff Pizzeria + Pub: 112 S. Main St., Eureka

• W.E. Sullivan's Irish Pub and Fare: 4538 N. Prospect Road, Peoria Heights

Restaurants interested in participating can find a sign-up form at https://veganchefchallenge.org/peoria/.

More: USA TODAY named its Restaurants of the Year. This Peoria favorite made the list

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Peoria restaurants to take part in Vegan Chef Challenge