Prizes: Sept 2008 – Dec 2009

Those who signed up between Sept 2008 and Dec 2008, completed the Veggie Challenge, and filled out two very short surveys (one before and one after) had a chance to win one of the following prizes. Those who submitted a short story about their experiences have a chance to win additional prizes. See our current prizes page for the latest prize offerings.

Those who complete the seven day Veggie Challenge will have a chance to win their choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 towards a vegetarian cooking class, or a membership in a vegetarian organization. One prize will be awarded every two months.

Won by Angela, Sep/Oct 2008
Won by Dawn, Nov/Dec 2008
Won by Alicia, Jan/Feb 2009
Won by Rosemary, Mar/Apr 2009
Won by Monica, May/Jun 2009
Won by Zoriana, July/Aug 2009

Sep/Oct 2009 – Won by Arthur, who chose Fressen Restaurant.
Fressen is Toronto's most gourmet vegetarian restaurant. Tapas-style vegan menu. Weekend brunch. They are at 478 Queen St W (w. of Spadina), 416-504-5127 www.fressenrestaurant.com

Nov/Dec 2009 – Won by Kristy, who chose Kale Eatery.
Kale Eatery is a new vegan macrobiotic restaurant and juice bar located at 2366 Yonge St, just north of Eglinton. They are open Mon - Fri 11am-8pm and Sat 11am-7pm. 416-792-5253
www.vegguide.org/entry/10443

Those who write a short story (35 to 350 words) about their experiences will have an additional chance to win their choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 towards a vegetarian cooking class, or a membership in a vegetarian organization. After you complete the Challenge, there is an option to submit a story as part of the final short survey. One prize will be awarded every two months after the stories are posted online.

Won by Paulina, Sep/Oct 2008
Won by Bill, Nov/Dec 2008
Won by Christine, Jan/Feb 2009
Won by Rosita, Mar/Apr 2009
Won by Teresa, May/Jun 2009
Won by Rena, July/Aug 2009
Sep/Oct 2009 – Won by Marnie
Nov/Dec 2009 – Won by Leah.

 
Those who complete the new Phase 2 of the Veggie Challenge (3 more weeks) will have a chance to win their choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 toward a vegetarian cooking class, $50 toward a vegetarian vacation, or a membership in a vegetarian organization. One prize will be awarded every two months. We anticipate that less people will do the extra three weeks, so the odds of winning are greater. One prize will be awarded every two months. [Note: Phase 2 was launched at the 25th Annual Vegetarian Food Fair, Sept 11-13, 2009.

Sep/Oct 2009 – Won by Marita. Her top choice for a dinner prize was Rawlicious
Rawlicious is a living foods (raw) cafe in Toronto, featuring delicious smoothies, salads, wraps, pastas, breakfasts and desserts. Beautiful airy ambiance. They are at 3092 Dundas St W (w. of Keele), 416-519-7150
www.rawlicious.ca

Nov/Dec 2009 – Won by Pauline. Her choice was a membership and vegetarian discount card from Toronto Vegetarian Association.

If we feature your story as a separate post on our website, you will have another additional chance to win your choice of a dinner at a vegetarian restaurant, a vegetarian cookbook, $35 towards a vegetarian cooking class, or a membership in a vegetarian organization.  Four prizes will be awarded every 12 months. If more than four stories are featured, the winners will be determined by a random draw.

Note: prizes are still being assigned. It takes time to process the entries and contact people.

Extra Food Fair prize: Vegan Delights (see below) offered a Four-course catered meal ($150 value) to the top story from those who signed up around the time of the Annual Vegetarian Food Fair in Toronto – Sept 2009.

Those who complete our six month follow-up survey will be entered into a random draw to win a SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker with Deluxe Tofu Making Kit (value $225.00).

Prize details

Dinners at vegetarian restaurants

Winners will be asked to email us two vegetarian restaurants that they would like to visit in their area or in a city they plan to visit. We will contact the restaurants and select one willing to provide a free meal. If we are not successful, the winner will be reimbursed for the cost of a single meal (up to $20 less any amount covered by the restaurant). Just send us the receipt by mail or email it (by attaching a digital photo of it). This prize is good for any restaurant where English is understood.
Note: To find restaurants near you, see our World links page.

Vegetarian cookbook / book

Choose a cookbook or book from our Resource Centre in Toronto worth $20 or less (or $20 towards a more expensive book). Or purchase a vegetarian book online and send us the receipt. We will mail you a cheque for cost of the book (up to $20). See our page of recommended books and cookbooks available from Amazon.

$35 towards a vegetarian cooking class

Winners will be asked to email us a vegetarian cooking class that they would like to attend. We will contact the cooking class about offering a free class or price reduction. If we are not successful in obtaining a free or reduced class, the winner can still opt to take the class and get reimbursed. In this case, just send us the receipt and we will reimburse you up to a maximum of $35, less any amount covered by the cooking class. The receipt may be mailed or emailed (by attaching a digital photo of it). To find a class near you try doing a google search or see our Toronto cooking class page if you live in the Toronto area.

Joining a vegetarian group

Winners will be asked to email us the name of a vegetarian group that they would like to join. Of course, we recommend Toronto Vegetarian Association where you will receive Lifelines, our quarterly newsletter filled with news, articles, recipes, restaurant reviews, event information, and much more. But you are welcome to join any other veggie group around the world, see our Vegetarian Organizations page.

We will contact the group about providing a free membership. If we are not successful, the winner will be reimbursed for the cost of joining (up to $25 less any amount covered by the organization). Just send us the receipt by mail or email it (by attaching a digital photo of it).

SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker

The top story of the year will win a SoyQuick 930P Milk Maker with Deluxe Tofu Making Kit. This automatic machine makes a variety of delicious milks in 13 minutes for pennies a glass. Rated #1 in independent reviews.
($225 value, free delivery within North America).

Four-course catered meal

Sunny Raja of Vegan Delights (416-491-6781) is offering a Four-course catered meal ($150 value) to the top story from those who signed up around the time of the Annual Vegetarian Food Fair in Toronto – Sept 10-12, 2010. A lot of people (over 200) signed up at this event so we wanted to have an extra prize for them.

Sunny will arrange a personalized menu with the winner at a mutually convenient date and time anywhere in the Toronto Area. For up to 10 people depending on the exact menu. The four courses are the recipients' choice: Salad, soup, main, dessert or exchange the dessert for appetizer/side dish. To maximize the value, the recipient can opt to pick up the meal.

Sept 2009 Food Fair prize: Won by Leon. There were five finalists and we randomly selected his story from among them. Congratulations also go to: Leah, Rickesh, Maria and Brandy.

You may enter the Challenge at any time. A new set of prizes will be posted after the end of the current time period. For previous prizes and winners see our Prizes page for Sept 2007 to Aug 2008.

Additional notes

• Any restaurants, cooking classes, or organizations that you select for your prize must be entirely vegetarian (not serving or promoting any meat or fish), as these places are most likely to donate prizes, and it is nice to support meat-free places. You must provide us with an email or mailing address (or website where this information can be found, such as a contact-us page) for each place you select. And if possible please send us the name of a contact person. Places willing to provide prizes will be featured on our website.
• Only submitted stories that are original, not offensive and written in an understandable manner will be posted on our site and eligible for the additional story prizes mentioned above.
• In general each winning entry is restricted to one prize, but the "Top story of the year" and "6 month follow up" prizes are extra prizes equally available to all qualified entries.
• Prizes must be claimed within 12 months after the date that they are awarded.

We encourage you to support the Challenge by making a donation to TVA. For donations of $20 or more you can receive a quarterly newsletter, charitable receipt and the opportunity to purchase our Vegetarian Discount Card.