Taste the fall harvest

The Central Valley is world-famous for the freshness and variety of quality produce grown in its fields and farms. Our gorgeous regional veggies will take center stage—make that “center plate”—at the 2011 Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge. For the entire month of October, several restaurants in Midtown and downtown Sacramento will participate in a festival of heart-healthy cuisine, creating unique appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts using only vegetables and plant-based foods. Confirmed challengers include 58 Degrees & Holding Company, Capitol Garage, Hot Italian, Kru, Tower Bridge Bistro, Bombay Bar and Grill, Michelangelo’s, and more.

Visit www.californiaveganrestaurants.com for a list of participating restaurants and a peek at the menus and the chefs behind them. Try as many of the dishes as possible when you dine out in October, and return to the website to vote for your favorites. In November, the Sacramento Vegan Society will distribute awards to the winners.

In the meantime, the whole community benefits. The restaurants get new clientele, vegetarians get to dine out on more than just Gardenburgers, and we’ll all find easy, delicious ways to eat low-cal and environmentally sustainably. Visit Sacramento Vegan Chef Challenge on Facebook for menu updates, and bring on that glorious Central Valley produce!