May 22nd, 2026Edgy Veg Awards
Returning to the Macedon Ranges for the fifth year of veggie fun, and to Mount Alexander Shire for the second year, 2026’s Edgy Veg Award winning scores are in!
With the hugest number of scores yet, 946 customers tried a vegelicious dish and cast their votes this year.
Mount Alexander winners
In Mount Alexander, the highest scoring dishes for the restaurant, pub and bar category was for the second year in a row Shedshaker Brewing, for their Pumpkin & Ricotta Ravioli.
In the café category, there was a tie for first place between Saffs Café with Autumnal Okonomiyaki and Togs Place Café with Zaatar Tofu.
Mount Alexander also celebrated a category of bakeries this year, with Johnny Baker taking the award for its Ginger, Carrot & Pineapple Cake.
Mt Alexander 2026 winners and runners-up: Bakery – 1. Johnny Baker (Winner), 2. Maldon Bakery; Cafe – 1. Saffs & Togs Place, 2. Five Flags Merchants; Restaurant & Bar – 1. Shedshaker Brewing, 2. Klua Sathorn Thai.
Macedon Ranges winners
The Woodend Cellar & Bar has won the restaurant, pub and bar category, a first-time winner, with their sophisticated Faux Gras, a play on Foie Gras. This lush, savoury mousse of roasted mushrooms, cashew butter, and umami-rich seasoning was a well-deserving winner.
In the café category, Macedon Ranges Wholefoods in Gisborne won for the second year in a row, with their Turkish Bride Soup.
Macedon Ranges 2026 winners and runners-up; Cafe – 1. Macedon Ranges Wholefoods 2. Paysanne Cafe; Restaurant & Bar – 1. Woodend Cellar & Bar, 2. Fook Shing.
Edgy Veg’s competing local business owners said the burst of interest and increased custom from both locals and visiting Edgy Veg Awards diners, had helped ease things for their businesses during a cost-of-living crisis. The project is delivered by Veg Action of the Macedon Ranges Sustainability Group.
It is supported by Healthy Loddon Campaspe, Mount Alexander Shire Council, Macedon Ranges Shire Council, Community Bank Gisborne & District, Snap Fitness Woodend and RT Edgar Real Estate.
Healthy Loddon Campaspe team leader Simone Hooppell said healthy communities were built on strong local food systems. “We know from Active Living Census data that people in our region aren’t eating enough vegetables. By encouraging fresh, seasonal, vegelicious meals, the awards play a key role in celebrating and strengthening our local food culture.”
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor, Cr Toby Heydon said the awards celebrated the chefs, local business, growers and communities at the heart of the local food system.
Words: Kyle Barnes
