FOODWORKS, a premier national restaurant incubator within Compass Group USA, has unveiled the winners of its first Annual Global Street Food Competition, celebrating innovative and plant-forward cuisine. The initial phase of the competition with the National Peanut Board, held from March 1 to May 31, spotlighted peanuts as the key ingredient, pushing culinary partners to explore creative and diverse uses of this versatile legume.
First Place: Root2Rise, Minneapolis, MN – Chef Heather Marie’s Peanut Butta Pizza impressed the judges with its inventive and delicious approach. Root2Rise, established in 2015, aims to transform perceptions of vegan cuisine in the Twin Cities by emphasizing sustainability and high-quality plant-based dishes. Chef Heather Marie was excited, stating, “Such a fun contest! Not only did this contest push me to use peanuts in ways I had never thought of before, it has also been very helpful in showing me more precise ways to cost out my dishes effectively.” As the first-place winner, Root2Rise receives a $2,500 cash prize and entry into the running for the grand champion prize, which includes two passes to the CIA Menus of Change, courtesy of FOODWORKS.
Second Place: Rollin’ Bowls, Fort Mitchell, KY – The Spring Roll Bowl by Monica from the first plant-based food truck in Cincy/NKY, Rollin’ Bowls, garnered the second spot and a $1,500 cash prize. Monica expressed her gratitude, saying, “Grateful for FoodWorks Global Street Food Competition in pushing me out of my comfort zone to create a new recipe quickly becoming a fan favorite. Incorporating peanuts added so much flavor, texture, energy, and nutrients to dishes while being easily adaptable.”
Third Place: BlissBomb, New York, NY – The Spicy Orange Marmalade PB&J Donut by Tarran from BlissBomb, an LGBTQ-owned bakery in New York City specializing in baked mini donuts, secured third place and a $500 cash prize. Tarran explained the inspiration behind the dish, “Aiming to represent the diverse textures and flavors a peanut can encapsulate, I created a caramelized peanut butter paired with bright orange marmalade amped up with chile peppers, tied together with chocolate, and topped with crunchy roasted Virginia peanuts and sea salt for an experience that is both novel and nostalgic.”
Fourth Place: BLT Kitchens, Phoenix, AZ – Their Peanut Chicken Flatbread rounded out the top four, earning a $500 cash prize. BLT Kitchens provides a secure and clean work environment for meal prep, food trucks, catering, and other food businesses, offering 24/7 access.
The competition, supported by esteemed partners like the National Peanut Board and others, continues throughout the year. The upcoming phases will focus on lentils, blueberries, and mushrooms, promising a diverse and exciting culinary adventure. Stay updated on this journey of flavors and innovation by visiting FOODWORKS or following them on social media (@foodworkslocal).
