It’s been about a year and a half since I made the change to become a vegetarian and it has been one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. While I still have people asking me how I can live without meat, it was a simple decision for me. I just never really liked it and once I became aware of the environmental impacts of eating meat, it was a smooth transition, and frankly, vegetarian food can still be great. I’ve discovered several great vegetarian recipes in my time (read here!) and actually don’t find it very hard to find delicious, veggie-friendly meal options when going out as well. If you’re considering going vegetarian, and unsure if your cooking skills can stand the test of our decision, or a seasoned vegetarian chef, the TD Youth Earth Ambassadors are holding a free vegetarian cook-off on Saturday, April 22nd from 2-6pm at the Alex Community Food Centre!
What is the purpose of the event?
Living a vegetarian lifestyle significantly reduces your footprint on the environment. Not eating meat reduces water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and in a report released by the United Nations Environmental Programme, living a vegan lifestyle is a step towards combating global warming. Participants of the cook-off will be taught about the impacts of their food choices on the environment, and also discuss the benefits of locally sourcing food. While it is not designed to convert participants to vegetarianism, it is the goal of the event to spark thought about the impact of simple choices like food on the environment.
(This will not be you at the Vegetarian Cook-Off)
The cook-off is designed to be similar to popular programs such as Chopped, but the TD Earth Ambassadors will be inviting several local chefs to come in and create entree recipes and mentor groups throughout the cooking process. You will have the space to be creative, but also will have plenty of help in making sure your dish can actually be eaten by the judging panel!
How do I get involved?
Since it is a free event and limited space is available at the Alex Centre, you will need to put in a very short application for the event! It can be accessed here.
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