Governors Island
Saturday, September 15, $45-$145, 12:30 – 5:00
www.streetvendor.org/vendys
www.govisland.com
We’re a bit spoiled when it comes to food trucks, as we work in a part of town where every day is a food truck festival, with as many as ten mobile eateries in relatively close proximity to the office. But the most important food truck festival of the year takes places this Saturday, when the eighth annual Vendy Awards will be handed out on Governors Island. Following public nominations, the finalists have been announced, with celebrity judges Kate Krader, Eddie Huang, Das Racist, Kelly Choi, and Julissa Ferreras in addition to citizen judge Sara Lipton and judge-host James Cunningham weighing in on the decision. Going after the Vendy Cup, won in past years by King of Falafel, Country Boys/Martinez Taco, Calexico Carne Asada, NY Dosa, Sammy’s Halal, and Hallo Berlin, are the Cinnamon Snail, Piaztlan Authentic Mexican Food, Hamza and Madina Halal Food, Uncle Gussy’s, Xin Jiang Prosperity Kebabs, and Tortas Nezas. Attendees participate in the voting for the other awards, including the People’s Taste Award; up for best dessert, captured previously by Kelvin Natural Slush Co., Wafels & Dinges, and the Treats Truck, are Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls, Coolhaus, Monsieur Singh Lassi, La Bella Torte, Melt Bakery, and Andy’s Italian Ices & Espresso Bar. The Best of Market Vendors nominees, for best nontruck street-food vendor at fairs and markets, are Mayhem & Stout, Baby Got Back Ribs, Parantha Alley, Lumpia Shack, and Pestle & Mortar. The Rookie of the Year candidates, following in the footsteps of Souvlaki GR and Schnitzel & Things, are Phil’s Steaks, Okadaman, Chinese Mirch, Cambodian Cuisine Torsu, Morocho, and Fun Buns. Ticket holders will get to sample food from all the nominees (but expect long lines), with unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks, live performances, and a raffle, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Street Vendor Project, which advocates for street vendors as part of the nonprofit Urban Justice Center. In that spirit, halal vendor Sammy Kassem has been selected as the Most Heroic Vendor for battling against harassment and threats in Bay Ridge.