A seasonal food competition is inviting diners across northern Vermont to help choose the best maple-inspired dish while supporting local restaurants.The 2026 Best Maple Menu Contest, sponsored by the Vermont Maple Festival, runs throughout the month of April and includes more than 20 participating restaurants across Franklin and Grand Isle counties. Diners who order a maple-infused item can vote and leave feedback, making the contest both interactive and community-driven.At The Sand Bar, Bar & Grill in South Hero, General Manager Kendrick Bellows said the contest offers both promotion and community connection as the business approaches its first year.“We thought that this would be a great way to help promote ourselves here… being just close to our first year,” Bellows said.He also emphasized the importance of local support, especially during slower seasons for tourism in the region.“That’s where the locals really step up and help us out… not just us, but other restaurants trying to survive up here in the winter,” he said.In St. Albans, Maple City Diner has long participated in maple season traditions, offering a wide variety of maple-themed menu items.“Maple milkshakes… maple bacon waffles… we’ve got a maple city burger… maple syrup is part of what we do here,” owner Erika Hamblett said.The contest runs through April, with winners to be announced following the Vermont Maple Festival, scheduled for April 24–26.
A seasonal food competition is inviting diners across northern Vermont to help choose the best maple-inspired dish while supporting local restaurants.
The 2026 Best Maple Menu Contest, sponsored by the Vermont Maple Festival, runs throughout the month of April and includes more than 20 participating restaurants across Franklin and Grand Isle counties.
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Diners who order a maple-infused item can vote and leave feedback, making the contest both interactive and community-driven.
At The Sand Bar, Bar & Grill in South Hero, General Manager Kendrick Bellows said the contest offers both promotion and community connection as the business approaches its first year.
“We thought that this would be a great way to help promote ourselves here… being just close to our first year,” Bellows said.
He also emphasized the importance of local support, especially during slower seasons for tourism in the region.
“That’s where the locals really step up and help us out… not just us, but other restaurants trying to survive up here in the winter,” he said.
In St. Albans, Maple City Diner has long participated in maple season traditions, offering a wide variety of maple-themed menu items.
“Maple milkshakes… maple bacon waffles… we’ve got a maple city burger… maple syrup is part of what we do here,” owner Erika Hamblett said.
The contest runs through April, with winners to be announced following the Vermont Maple Festival, scheduled for April 24–26.
