Ventura Restaurants Roll Out New Plant-Based Menus for Vegan Chef Challenge

Ventura is embracing plant-based dining for a month as the Vegan Chef Challenge has returned to the city, featuring new vegan dishes from restaurants across the county.

The event, which began on January 7, will run through February 7, inviting residents and visitors to explore vegan menus created by participating restaurants.

The Vegan Chef Challenge is a countywide dining event in which participating restaurants introduce original plant-based dishes created specifically for the challenge and compete for customer ratings. Diners order directly from each restaurant’s Vegan Chef Challenge menu and share feedback through reviews, ratings, and photos, which determine the winners.

There is no ticket or registration fee to take part in the event. Anyone interested can participate by selecting and reviewing the dish from the Vegan Chef Challenge menu.

Several Ventura County restaurants are participating in the event, including Aloha Steakhouse, Busy Bee Cafe, Farmer and the Cook, Happy Place Eatery, La Jenelle Natural Cafe, Minns, and Paradise Pantry.

The Farmer and the Cook is participating again this year with a menu that includes vegetable meatballs served with mashed potatoes and savory gravy, a hearty vegetable stew cooked in a rich tomato base with house-made toast, and a cauliflower tamal filled with mole, accompanied by salsa roja, corn, and fresh pico de gallo.

Minns is joining the Vegan Chef Challenge for the first time with its plant-based Buttercream Bar, a customizable dessert concept that allows guests to create their own vegan treats by selecting a cake base, buttercream flavors, toppings, and finishing drizzles. Items are prepared and served from Minns’ signature cake cart.

Happy Place Eatery is making its debut in the challenge with its first-ever vegan offerings inviting diners to explore bold flavors without the meat.

The menu features two taco options inspired by classic favorites. One highlights marinated, firm tofu cooked in a smoky house Al Pastor-style seasoning, topped with avocado and red onions, and served with housemade salsa and pickled habanero onion salsa. The second pairs spicy soy chorizo with crispy diced potatoes on organic corn tortillas, finished with the same fresh toppings.

Aloha Steakhouse menu will feature a variety of plant-based dishes, from a chorizo pesto pizza made with vegan cheese to cauliflower al pastor tacos, sweet and spicy tofu, and a comforting apple cake to finish the meal.

Each participating restaurant has its own curated vegan dish menu throughout the month.

The event is community-driven, with guests acting as judges by leaving reviews and ratings for each dish. Voting takes place through the national Vegan Chef Challenge website, and participants may submit reviews for every menu item they try.

Chefs compete for recognition and win certificates that showcase their achievements. Additionally, other items include aprons, tote bags, cookbooks, and other donated gifts from sponsors and local supporters.

According to the website, the Vegan Chef Challenge began back in 2010 in Durham, before expanding to Sacramento, California, in 2011. With support, the event grew into a national program and continues to expand to new cities throughout the U.S.

In addition to the event, participants can also explore their ‘10 Weeks to Vegan’ guided program. This offers weekly nutrition tips, recipes, and product recommendations for people who want to go vegan.

As Ventura takes part in the 2026 event, diners can explore new vegan menus while supporting participating restaurants and their creations.