Twin Cities Vegan Cook-Off Winner Named

Home cook Mary Johnson Strand was named Sunday as the judges’ choice winner of the 4th annual Twin Cities Vegan Hotdish Cook-Off hosted by Animal Rights Coalition. Strand won over the judges with her Chik’n in a Biscuit take on a hotdish—a popular Midwestern casserole that consists of a protein, starch, and canned soup. After the story aired on Minneapolis television station WCCO, local reporter Kim Johnson appeared confused about what participants were using in place of meat and suggested that “maybe they go to that vegan butcher shop that just opened.” While cities such as Los Angeles, New York, Portland, and Austin are known for a plethora of vegan options and events, Minneapolis has recently received nationwide media attention with the opening of The Herbivorous Butcher—which has quickly gained famous fans such as Jon Stewart.