U.S. Veg Corp's Plant-Based Cheese Competition Arrives in NYC

Hard cheese. Soft cheese. Almond cheese. Cashew cheese.

If non-dairy cheese sounds like an oxymoron, you may wish to head over to the Big Cheese for a palate-expanding experience. V Spot Organic Restaurant (on St. Mark's Place) will host a vegan cheese competition Tuesday, April 12, 7-9 p.m.

Competitors include Punk Rawk Labs, Cheezehound, Dr. Cow, Miyoko's Kitchen, Kite Hill, and Treeline. Each of these small-batch companies utilizes various nuts, such as almonds and cashews, to replace the typical dairy base.

Attendees will be able to sample each offering, along with a specially paired vegan wine from Lobetia Organic Wines. They will then vote for their favorite cheese and award the People's Choice. Three professional judges will weigh in as well. One of those will be Tere Fox, executive chef and co-founder of Rockin' Raw.

The event is organized by U.S. Veg Corp, which has sponsored a variety of vegan food competitions of late. Popular throw-downs have featured vegan versions of mac 'n cheese, burgers, Brussels sprouts dishes, and tacos. The company also puts on the annual NYC Vegetarian Food Festival and other large-scale expos around the country.

Veg Corp co-founder Sarah Gross said today's plant-based cheeses are nothing like the soy-laden concoctions of yesteryear. "It's a quickly evolving, fast growing food category," she said. "Don't think: American cheese slices. Instead think: exquisite cheese aged in a cave for amazing flavor discoveries!"

The Big Cheese offers two ticket levels. VIP Admission includes a free hard drink (regular or virgin margarita), chips and salsa, priority seating, priority tasting of the cheeses and wines, and a meet-and-greet session with several of the chefs. General Admission includes the cheeses, wines, chips and salsa.

V Spot will also offer drink specials for the evening: organic sangria pitchers ($25), margaritas ($6), and micheladas ($4). The event is only open to those aged 21 and up.

Tickets are limited. For further information, or to purchase tickets, visit https://thebigcheesebyusvc.eventbrite.com.

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