Join our first Vegan Cooking Competition!
As a philosophy based on the principle of respecting all lives, veganism advocates making choices that benefit not only ourselves, but also animals and the environment.
For most of us, the first step to adopting this philosophy is changing our food choices.
This step is much easier if vegan food is creative and interesting!
Launched alongside the 2023 China Vegan Summit, the first Vegan Cooking Competition aims to drive vegan culinary innovation, encourage more chefs and foodies to experiment with vegan food, and foster connection and exchange between culinary practitioners from diverse countries and culinary traditions. Finalists in this year's inaugural competition will be invited to cook for a jury of accomplished chefs and food experts, including the legendary Venerable Jeong Kwan!
Ven. Jeong Kwan, master chef and guest judge at the 2023 Vegan Cooking Competition in Suzhou, China
Ven. Jeong Kwan is a Seon Buddhist nun and master chef of Korean temple cuisine. She is recognised worldwide for her culinary mastry and her approach to spreading compassion and equanimity through cooking. Jeong Kwan has inspired countless people with her food philosophy, which emphasizes respecting life and nourishing the body, mind, and soul through by connecting deeply with nature through plant-based food. In 2022 she received the prestigious Icon Award from Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.
Read more about Ven. Jeong Kwan:
Jeong Kwan, the Philosopher Chef · The New York Times
A Buddhist nun has been named Asia’s foremost culinary icon – here’s why · 50 Best
The Vegan Cooking Competition is open to all professional and amateur cooks who appreciate vegan food. By challenging contestants to incorporate local Chinese ingredients in their own unique ways, this competition also fosters culinary fusion and cultural exchange. From traditional Chinese food to diverse international cuisines to never-before-seen culinary innovations, this competition challenges cooks to get out of their comfort zones and put their skills to work creating a dish that's surprising, delicious, and vegan!
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Are you a passionate cook?
Do you love vegan food?
Do you want to show off your cooking skills?
Do you want a chance to win big cash prizes?
You need to join the Vegan Cooking Competition!
How does the competition work?
What are the rules?
What are the prizes?
Read on for details! 👇👇👇
Format & Schedule
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Fill in the application form with your background information and photos and descriptions of your signature dish. The application will be screened by the competiton jury, and 25-30 contestants will be invited to compete in the Semi-Finals between November 1-15, 2023.
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Qualified applicants who passed preliminary selection will be invited to join the offline semi-finals in the location of their choice (Tianjin, Guangzhou, or Dali) between November 1-15, 2023. During the semi-finals, contestants will prepare dishes with selected ingredients and bring them to the jury for tasting and evaluation.
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Qualified applicants who outperform other competitors in the semi-finals will be invited to cook for a live audience and jury at the Grand Finale, held in Suzhou in conjunction with the China Vegan Summit.
Who Can Compete?
Only individuals are eligible to participate (no brands or organizations). Professional and amateur cooks of all nationalities are welcome to participate. There are separate categories for professional and amateur cooks, with slightly different evaluation standards.
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To compete in the Culinary Professional category, candidates must provide proof of relevant professional background or experience (eg. working as a cook, chef, or culinary instructor in a restaurant, hotel, or culinary institution) AND/OR professional culinary training and certification. Unlike contestants in the amateur category, professionals will also be evaluated based on the professionalism of their execution.
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Anyone who loves vegan cooking can enter to compete in the Amateur Cook category. Unlike contestants in the Culinary Professional category, Amateur Cooks will be evaluated primarily on the creativity and overall appeal of their dishes, and not on their professionalism.
Dish Submission Requirements
All submitted dishes should be vegan, which means 100% free from any ingredients made from animals or by animals. This means ingredients may use no parts of any animal (including land animals, birds, fish, and insects), no eggs or dairy, no honey, no animal oils (lard, butter, ghee), no animal-derived flavorings or additives (chicken powder, gelatin, oyster sauce, bonito, casein, carmine, etc), and no animal-derived processing aids (isinglass, etc). Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
All submitted dishes should be free from synthetic flavoring and coloring agents, as well as any banned substances. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
Contestants are encouraged to prioritize health and sustainability in their dishes (for example by using oil-free and smoke-free cooking methods, using local and seasonal ingredients, reducing food waste, etc.). Contestants are also encouraged to use simple techniques that are easy for audiences to recreate following the recipe at home.
Dishes created for offline Semifinal and Grand Finale sessions should be prepared on-site, and contestants are discouraged from using components that must be prepared in advance. In special cases where this is unavoidable, the contestant must notify the organizing committee in advance to obtain permission.
Only main dishes and side dishes are eligible for submission. Desserts are not eligible.
Prizes
⭐1st place: 10,000 RMB cash AND invitation to exclusive multi-day study tour of plant-based restaurants and ivy-league campus canteens in the US
⭐2nd place: 5,000 RMB cash AND invitation to exclusive food tasting and networking event in a top Chinese vegan restaurant
⭐3rd place: 3,000 RMB cash AND invitation to exclusive food tasting and networking event in a top Chinese vegan restaurant
Honorary prizes
⭐Zero-Waste Award, Chinese Style Award, Presentation Award, and more!
Talent Scout Award
⭐ A Talent Scout Award will be given to anyone who refers a successful competitor to the competition. Share with your foodie friends!
Applications will be accepted until October 10, 2023.
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Guest Judges
Organizers
Thank you to our supporters and co-organizers!
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This Vegan Cooking Competition was organized by the China Vegan Society in conjunction with the China Vegan Summit, China's first annual event dedicated to bringing together Chinese and international vegan advocates to learn, network, and strengthen their practices together. The second China Vegan Summit will be held in Suzhou from November 17-19, 2023.
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