BEST OF VEG 2005

San Francisco Bay Area, October 11, 2005 – Bay Area Vegetarians (BAVeg), one of the largest regional grassroots vegetarian advocacy group in the U.S., is holding its third annual BEST OF VEG survey. Every year since 2003, the BEST OF VEG survey has recognized outstanding vegetarian dining in the San Francisco Bay Area based on the votes of Bay Area residents. Voting for the 2005 survey started on October 1st, celebrated as World Vegetarian Day across the nation, and continues through November 15th. Supporters will vote for the next 5 weeks for their favorite Bay Area restaurants. Survey categories include:

BEST VEGAN FOODS at both vegetarian and non-vegetarian restaurants, including:
- Best Asian, Indian, Mexican and Raw Cuisine
- Best Veggie Burger
- Best Pizza
- Best Dessert

BEST VEGETARIAN/VEGAN RESTAURANT:
- By location (San Francisco, East Bay, North Bay and South Bay)
- Best New Restaurant
- Best Special Occasion Restaurant
- Best Everyday Food
- Best Service
- Best Restaurant for a Casual Veggie Date
- Best Overall Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants

BAVeg uses the top ten most popular choices from its Ultimate Guide to Vegetarian Living in the SF Bay Area to determine the initial selections for the 33-question survey. Residents can vote for their favorites online at www.bayareaveg.org/vote and be eligible to win special prizes. Ten voters will be selected at random to win prizes that taste great, and resources that educate and entertain: Cookie Gift Basket from Sun Flour Baking, Tofurky feast from Turtle Island Foods, Soy Delicious ice cream from Turtle Mountain, Satya magazine subscription, and the new McLibel DVD.

"The BEST OF VEG survey let’s people vote for the many great restaurants in the San Francisco Bay Area that cater to vegetarians," says BAVeg Vice-President and co-founder Chris James. "Unlike typical surveys where vegetarian restaurants have one category, our survey has multiple categories that help define the best places to eat when you want a pizza, burger, or go out for a casual date or special occasion. Many past winners proudly post their BEST OF VEG award certificates prominently in their establishments so that customers know they are local favorites."

Based in Montara, BAVeg is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with over 2000 members throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. It is one of the fastest-growing all-volunteer groups in the region, and was recently profiled in the San Francisco Chronicle. BAVeg regularly hosts a variety of events to promote vegetarian living, including lectures, restaurant outings and film screenings. To learn more about BAVeg and the many resources it offers, visit www.bayareaveg.org