[bbrvideo width=”350″ float=”left” caption=”Local chefs compete in a vegan “Iron Chef” competition and it has students wondering about vegan options on campus.” ]BBR_05A_STROCK_VEGAN[/bbrvideo]

Local chefs participated Sunday in an “Iron Chef” competition making entirely vegan meals.

Don King and Hailee Bennett are not vegan, but they have chosen to cook in this competition.

“It’s a really interesting challenge,” Bennett said, “You can’t even use things like honey, any eggs, any animal products of any kind.

“Yeah, I’m kind of a fan of butter,” King said, “And bacon.”

While these two chefs simply support the lifestyle, most of the people in attendance are immersed in it.

Keith Allison was at the competition.  He said that events like this are important to spreading the word about the benefits of eating vegan.

“We’re not suffering, we’re not going hungry,” Allison said, “This is amazing food, and we’re enjoying it.”

With sample trays and vendor booths, visitors had plenty to keep them occupied.

With vegan and vegetarian diets becoming increasingly popular, it poses the question of what on-campus options there are for students who have chosen this lifestyle.

Vegetarian student Gabriel Benning  recognized the options

that Dining Services has made available, but had some reservations about them.

“At every place to eat on campus there’s a vegetarian option and I appreciate that,” Benning said, ” The problem is that it’s not always something you want to eat.”