From L to R: James Dupree, Gretjen Clausing, Rue Landau, Kris Sumey, Freya Dinshah, Vance Lehmkuhl, and Seth Tibbott.
On Sunday, the final judging event of the 2024 Best Vegan Cheesesteak in Philly contest was held at the Philadelphia Ethical Society, for the tenth anniversary of what’s now become its own Philadelphia tradition. Our judges were iconic Philadelphia painter and educator James Dupree, trailblazing Councilmember Rue Landau, PhillyCAM Executive Director Gretjen Clausing, and Tofurky creator/founder Seth Tibbott.
The three top vote-getters (citywide voting ran Oct. 4 – Oct. 16), who became the official finalists, were 2023 winner Boardwalk Vegan, Sabrina’s Cafe (first time in the finals), and 2019 winner Triangle Tavern. All finalists provided samples for the event’s attendees to also try and to judge for themselves, making for an event both fun and tasty.
After the celebrity judges tasted the three finalists to their satisfaction and ranked their choices, their rankings were combined to determine an overall winner. This was announced to the crowd by former PA governor and Philly Mayor Edward G. Rendell, who boomed out via phone hookup: “BOARDWALK VEGAN.” Second place went to Triangle Tavern.
Gov. Rendell vowed to try the Boardwalk Vegan sandwich, which AVS will facilitate, but he also volunteered that he had already tried Triangle’s vegan cheesesteak, as he has been increasingly giving vegan foods a chance “for the last three or four years.” Rendell also praised the increasing visibility and accessibility of vegan foods.
Sunday’s ceremony was made extra-special by the guest appearance of Rachel Klein, better known for her down-home gourmet cooking at Miss Rachel’s Pantry, but who did in fact “Beat Bobby Flay” with a vegan cheesesteak on that same-named show in an episode released earlier this year, and who regaled the attendees with her story of that accomplishment.
AVS thanks the Philadelphia Ethical Society and its staff for making the event run smoothly, and of course thanks to all who came out on Sunday and all who voted in the contest, all of which made it possible to determine and name the 2024 Best Vegan Cheesesteak in Philly!
