News

New York street vendors to compete in annual Vendy Awards

September 19, 2018

New York City street food vendors will compete from 12:30–5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, at Governors Island for the 14th annual Vendy Awards. The competition selects winners in five categories: best dessert; best rookie; best market; best breakfast; and the Vendy Cup.

The annual event serves as a fundraiser for the Street Vendor Project, which advocates on behalf of the city's 10,000-plus street food vendors.

Contenders for this year's Vendy Cup are Burmese Bites in Long Island City; La Sabroso de Aracataca in Jackson Heights; Franky's Souvlaki in Astoria; Jiannettos Pizza in Midtown and Downtown; and Royal Grill in Midtown.

Best Breakfast Food contestants include Cheong Fun Rice Noodle Cart; Evelia's Tamales Mexicanos; King David Tacos; Mama Jo's Breakfast Cart; and Saravana Bhavan.

Best Rookie Vendor contenders include Jak! Chinese; Makna Café; Manhattan Mediterranean; Mr. Khao Man Gai; and NaanSense.

Best Market Vendor contenders are Caspanish; D'Abbruzzo NYC; Hometown Spring Pancakes; Ieatlaofood; and Taste of Surabaya.

Best Dessert contenders include Bonanas; Bonsai Kakigori; Delmy's Obleas; Malai Ice Cream; and Twister Cake. 

Tickets to the event entitle attendees to all-you-can-eat tastings from the various contestants. For information, visit http://www.vendyawards.streetvendor.org/.