Filmed in Columbus, Ohio, this all-vegan competitive cooking reality series delivered culinary excitement and fierce competition. Eight vegan chefs and home cooks will compete and at the end of each episode, one contestant will be eliminated Top Chef-style. Competitions will see the contestants make vegan spins on classic dishes, paying homage to veganism’s roots. Ultimately the winning chef is named Top Vegan.
In the shows first season Dayton Native Rhea Adkins of Vegan It IZ Eats, LLC, showed off her culinary skills for multiple episodes. Rhea adapted a plant-based lifestyle after going on a spiritual fast in 2017 and a cancer scare with her mother. While eating plant-based foods she noticed an increase in energy and overall health. She then began to research and pilot her plant-based food products. Rhea’s desire is to see everyone live their best life full of energy. She is also the author of the book “Plant-Based Jumpstart,” and the mother of two.
Larry & Lester of Invoke
In this second season for the show eight chefs competed in eight challenges for the grand prize of $20,000 and title of “Top Vegan.” One of those contestants was Dayton’s own Lester Gates, who is the owner and chef at INVOKE with his brother Larry, opened at the 2nd Street Market six years ago. Since then, the restaurant has gained traction, serving modern takes on classic favorites, along with vegan options. Some of its staples include grain bowls, cashew-based “cheese cake,” and vegan crab cakes.
Seaon 2 Contestants form left to right: Lester Gates, Sarah Martin, Candace Meredith, Jani Espinosa, Logan McMahan, Desireé Johnson, Elisa Vales, Matteo Silverman.
“We’re trying to make something that I think is severely lacking in the competitive cooking reality series as a whole,” said show director Logan Solana. “We want to show the world that going vegan is possible, and you don’t have to give up the things you love on an all-vegan diet.”
Chef Lester
Chef Lester said the 10 day experience “was amazing, exciting and a once in a lifetime opportunity. I enjoyed working with all the other contestants.”
Since the show, he’s been working on launching his Invoke Red Sauce which he featured in the business pitch of the final episode of the show, and getting it into stores.
You can watch the final episode of the show below:
Invoke at the 2nd Street Market
600 E 2nd St,
Dayton, OH, 45402
Hours:
Thu-Fri 11:00am-3:00pm
Sat 8:00am-3:00pm
Sun 11:00am-3:00pm
Dayton’s own, Rhea Adkins, Owner of 