As October draws to a close, a reminder that this is the final week for the Bull City Vegan Challenge, an attempt to foster awareness of both vegan dietary interests and their power of the pocketbook in drawing business.

And the event certainly seems to be doing that; its sponsors note positive feedback from restaurants like Beyu Caffe and Rue Cler, where vegans are making up overwhelming numbers in the reservation books some night or -- in Beyu's case -- eating the restaurant out of house, home and vegan chocolate mousse. (Mousse can be vegan? Sign me up.)

Each of the restaurants competing in the challenge has come up with one or more dishes that meet the dietary criteria. Patrons try the dishes and vote via the BCVC web site for their favorites. And they're not shy about sharing what they think on the Facebook page or via comments on the web site, either.

Winners get a nominal prize and certificate, but the real win here may be for Durham's vegans, should the contest manage to get some of these dishes added full-time to restaurant menus.

Participating restaurants include Alivia's, Beyu Caffe, Dos Perros, The Federal, Nosh, Parker & Otis, Piedmont, Rue Cler, Toast and Vin Rouge. The competition idea is the brainchild of two Durhamite foodies, Chef Shirlé Hale-Koslowski and Eleni Vlachos.