Rookie of the year nominee Snowday already has a coveted spot on Governors Island (photo by twi-ny/mdr)
Governors Island
Saturday, September 13, $95-$1600 (includes tastings from twenty-five food vendors and unlimited beverages), 12:30 – 5:00
www.vendyawards.streetvendor.org
www.govisland.com
The Vendy Awards will be celebrating its tenth anniversary on September 13, recognizing a decade of honoring the best street food in New York City. Following nominations from the public, this year’s judges — Alex Guarnaschelli, Florent Morellet, Alicia Quarles, Adam Richman, Sarah Simmons, Maria Torres-Springer, and Hannah Lyter — will be choosing the winners in five categories. Up for best dessert are Alchemy Creamery, Craffles, Dough, Ice & Vice, and Ricas Botanas Mexican. The Best of Market competitors are Bolivian Llama Party, Chickpea & Olive, Ramen Burger, Ssam BBQ, and Zha Pan Asian. Fighting it out for rookie of the year are Big D’s Khao Cart, Dub Pies, Gogo Grill, Shanghai Soso, and Snowday. Going after the Vendy Cup as best food truck are Cinnamon Snail, Desi, El Rey del Taco, Lechonera La Pirana, and 2013 rookie of the year Nuchas. In addition, the Masters Cup brings back five past victors seeking legendary status: Hallo Berlin, NY Dosas, Calexico, King of Falafel, and Solber Pupusas. The 2014 Hero Award will be presented to Baare Batchiri, a nonfood vendor who showed courage and generosity after being stabbed by a mentally ill homeless man. This year’s event, once again taking place on Governors Island, will be hosted by Ashok “Dapwell Kondabolu” and will also include live entertainment and all-you-can-drink beer, wine, and soft drinks; a portion of the proceeds goes to the Street Vendor Project, which advocates for street vendors as part of the nonprofit Urban Justice Center.