If you think vegetables are boring, bland or only something you eat out of guilt, the Edgy Veg Awards 2026 would like a very polite (but firm) word with you.
Returning to Mount Alexander Shire for the second fabulous year, and to the Macedon Ranges for the fifth year of vegetable-powered fun, the Edgy Veg Awards in April are a month-long competition for the Most Vegelicious Dish, created by our talented local chefs.
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor, Toby Heydon said they are proud to support the Edgy Veg Awards.
“They shine a light on the growers, chefs, and communities strengthening our local food system – and they champion the kind of vegetable–forward eating that supports better health for everyone,” he said.
Local cafés, restaurants, bars and pubs will throw down the gauntlet to prove that vegetables can be crave-worthy, indulgent and absolutely worth travelling for. This is not a food festival where you stand around clutching a paper plate. This is a full-scale culinary showdown.
How does it work?
Local venues create a signature vegelicious dish featuring seasonal veg and compete for the coveted title of Most Vegelicious Dish. The twist? You decide the winner.
Explore 29 venues from Maldon to Gisborne, taste your way through the region and rate each dish for a chance to win prizes. Democracy has never tasted so good.
Expect everything from smoky, saucy comfort food to surprising fine-dining moments that will make you question your whole approach to cooking veggies. Even the most devoted carnivores have been known to mutter: “I could eat this again”.
This April, skip the cooking. Instead, support your local venues and veggie farms far and wide by eating your way through the Edgy Veg Awards. Your tastebuds will thank you. Your favourite café might win. And vegetables? They’ll never be boring again.
Warning: side effects may include changed attitudes, full bellies and a sudden urge to order vegetables everywhere you go.
Plan your delicious Edgy Veg Trail now – visit www.edgyvegawards.com.au, and Eat Well! Be Well!