Oh no, you guys, you made this decision very very difficult! And that is a good sign. The future of vegan cooking is bright, and thanks to you, my faith in nooch dusted kitchens across the globe has been reaffirmed. There could be no better way to celebrate the Post Punk Kitchen 10th Anniversary than with a little culinary inspiration. So thank you!

But there can be only one Vegan/Chopped champion! Unless…

I’ve actually decided that for this competition, there are two champions. Brunch is such an indecisive meal, and my judging should be no different. I’ve picked two winners, one sweet and one savory. Both will be getting a $50 Vegan Essentials gift certificates, a PPK apron, the signed Isa book of your choice and any other goodies I feel like sending. But enough with the dilly dallying.

In the SWEET brunch category, your Vegan/Chopped champion is…
Butternut Squash Bread French Toast with Mascarpone Cream, Rosemary Popcorn Streusel, Apricot Maple Syrup and White Wine Poached Pear from Nichole Lontz!!!!

Thank you for your creativity and effort, Nichole! The judges (um, me and Allison) were impressed with your homemade butternut quickbread, your poached pear technique and your use of quality from-scratch ingredients, both from your pantry and from the basket. You cut no corners and it shows and that’s why you, Nichole, are our Vegan/Chopped champion! Plus, the adorable pic of your kitty helper didn’t hurt. Listen up, cheftestants, a kitty pic never hurts.

Now. The SAVORY category. Which might also be known as exactly what I would have made. Your Vegan/Chopped champion is…
Chick’n & Waffles from Stephanie at Ripe Cuisine!!!!!

Ok, the pic could be a little bigger, but let me elaborate. This is Butternut Squash Waffles With Homemade Popcorn Chick’n Tenders And Apricot Rosemary Syrup. Yes, there is a sweet element, but I say this is the savory category and what I say goes. The judges were impressed with, well, the absolute yumminess of it all. I would order this in a restaurant without blinking an eye. Unless my eyes were blinking uncontrollably from deliciousness.

But wait! We still have a few runner-ups who will each receive the Isa book of their choice.

The popcorn award goes to PJ at Vegan Cine Grub for Butternut Squash Swedish Pancakes topped with Rosemary-Apricot Cashew Ricotta and a Molasses Popcorn Candy Tower! Can you resist a Popcorn Candy Tower? Me neither. Coupled with Swedish Pancakes, a vampire movie and a bloody mary? GTFO! No, wait, stay. Brunch is not yet finished.

The double trouble award goes to Suburban Vegan for her two entries, one for sweet, one for savory. Pancakes and a breakfast sandwich, both utilizing all of the basket ingredients. I would like to marry you and have brunch every day!

Favorite baked good award goes to Joy at Braisen Woman for her amazing looking Fall in your Face Sticky Buns (Butternut-Popcorn Flour Buns with Rosemary-Cinnamon-Apricot Filling and Apricot-Rosemary Caramel.) I would like one still warm, please!

The “oh-no-she-didn’t” award goes to Vegan In The Sticks for her Rosemary Popcorn Breaded Scotch Eggs with Butternut Squash Yolk and Hot Buttered Popcorn Scones with a Sweet Apricot Glaze. Scotch eggs? Oh yes she did!

I’m not posting any more pics, but the following are still runner-ups who receive a book:
The “Polenta? Good thinking!” award goes to Cadry’s Kitchen for Popcorn Crusted Polenta Stacks with Barbecue-Glazed Squash & Cashew Cream.

The “Cute pic, good story, yummy crepes” award goes to X Means No Onions for her Butternut Squash Crepes with Apricot Glaze.

The “Captured-My-Tart” award (har har) goes to Colynn at But Yes I Do Eat Potatoes for her Butternut Squash, Apricot, and Raspberry Tarts With Rosemary, Popcorn, and Pecan Crust.

The “Holy Crepe! And Ooh a Rosemary Cocktail” award goes to Allysia at the Real Meal for her Sweet vs. Savory Crepe Showdown! I will take one of each!

The “Thank You For Overdoing It” award goes to Big Mike’s Eats for his five course menu! I usually go for quality over quantity but it didn’t look like quality was at all sacrificed in these five courses which each contained all of the basket ingredients. BRUNCHMAZING!

Ok, thank you everyone for making this so fun! The next few honorable mentions don’t get any prezzies, but they do get honorably mentioned.

Think Care Act gets a mention for her Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Mushrooms. Maybe more of a dessert? But who am I to say!

Johnnycakes at My Munchable Musings! Love me some Johnnycakes and these were the only ones entered.

Butternut Caramel Rolls from Krista Wilder look divine.

I wish I could reach in and grab a fritter from Spa Bettie!

Napoleans? Triangles? Don’t mind if I do! Thanks, Killeen.

Vibrantlea Vegan offered a faboo looking sammy.

And Vandano Industries totally turned me over!

Meanwhile, there were a LOT of crepes, but the ones at Weekly Vegan Menu really stood out.

A well-rounded tart and salad at Two Cups Of Love.

And last but not least, Spade & Spoon. So long and thanks for all the hash browns!

Thanks for playing, see you at the next Chopped/Vegan challenge! Winners. Please email me at postpunkkitchen@gmail.com and let me know which signed softcover book you would like, and who to sign it to, along with your addresses! For the champions, the Vegan Essentials gift certificate will come to you via email. Congrats!