Inventor of Philly Cheesesteak Hosts Vegan Sandwich Battle

On April 14, Philadelphia chefs will face off in a cooking battle to create the best vegan version of the city’s iconic dish, the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich. The fifth annual Vegan Cheesesteak Party and Cabaret will be hosted by Frank Olivieri, a member of the family credited for inventing the original sandwich, which is made from thinly sliced pieces of beef and melted cheese in a long hoagie roll. “I am honored to once again host the vegan cheesesteak contest,” Olivieri told media outlet Billy Pen. “Hopefully they won’t burn me at the ‘steak.’” This year’s contest has been expanded into a festive event showcasing the many different plant-based versions of Philly’s signature sandwich, including free samples of vegan cheesesteaks for attendees. Contest judges include renowned vegan doctor Michael Greger, MD, along with TV star and author Christina Pirello, actress Kimberly Garrison, and vegan comedian Myq Kaplan.