The Inaugural houston vegan awards were held recently, created by the Vegan Society of P.E.A.C.E. as a way to celebrate excellence in the local vegan community. 

All Houstonians were invited to vote for their favorites in seven survey ballot categories. A sizable list of local business owners and professionals were nominated and given recognition for making our city more vegan-friendly this year. Out of those acknowledged, 14 of the nominees just couldn’t be "beet." If you are vegan, a healthy eater or just wanting to try something new the next time you’re eating out, this list is a perfect place to start to plan your next dining out experience.

If you're struggling with your decision on what to try first, allow me to present the Vegan Bistro Burger at Ripe Cuisine. Topped with roasted red pepper aioli, avocado and balsamic onions, this menu item is not only delicious, it’s the kind of burger that makes you feel good after eating it. The lentil and mushroom patty is unbelievably plump and flavorful, and it’s accented with cashew “chevre.” Wash it down with their lavender lemonade. It will be a healthy, unique experience for your taste buds, without sacrificing protein.

If burgers aren’t your thing, pop over to MOD Pizza, where you can build your own pizza. You can pile as many toppings as you want on your crust—go gluten-free for $2 more—brushed with your choice of six sauces. There are a wide array of more unusual toppings to choose from–artichokes, kale, roasted broccoli, corn, rosemary—as well as the usual suspects. The best part is the dairy-free Daiya cheese. It really is amazing what scrumptious cheeses we can make with cassava and arrowroot these days. If you want to dress your creation up a bit, finish it off with one of MOD’s nine glazes. I recommend the fig balsamic glaze, barbecue swirl, or pesto drizzle.

You can find more information about VSOP and the Annual Vegan Awards on their website and Facebook page.