by Ari Roth
The Vendy Awards began in New York City, but since 2011 they have become a yearly staple event for Philadelphia, a chance for the city’s best food trucks to compete for the top prize, and a chance for the city’s foodies to sample their wares to their hearts’ content. In addition, the afternoon will feature some great music from local bands, including The Heat Run, Lady Pyramid, and headliners The Cabana Kids, rounding out a delightful day for the mouth and ears alike.
This year’s Vendy Awards will be bigger and better than ever, with 14 finalists competing for three awards: Rookie of the Year, Dessert, and, of course, the great Vendy Cup. The Rookie of the Year contestants are Cheese E. Wagon, Heart Food Truck, Oink and Moo BBQ, Smokin’ Tacos and the Whirly Pig. The Dessert finalists are Bonjour Creperie, Curbside Creamery, Jimmies Cupcake Co. and Milk + Sugar. Finally, the trucks in the running for the Vendy Cup are The Cow & The Curd, Local 215, Pie Stand, Prime Stache and Samosa Deb.
The Rookie of the Year award is new for this year, and, as Vendy’s organizer Zeina Muna told That Music Mag, this category will “celebrate and welcome some of Philly’s newest food vendors. It takes a lot to start your own business and these guys are working very hard to establish themselves. This is a great opportunity for them to get the spotlight!”
These 14 trucks will serve everything from crepes and ice cream, to samosas and pies, to BBQ and tacos, all mouthwateringly delicious and absolutely free once you have purchased your ticket, along with free cider and craft beer. The competition will be judged by four brilliant women involved in the Philadelphia food scene, including Ann Karlen, Nicole Woon, Lily Fischer, Felicia D’Ambrosio, and Danya Henninger, along with Lily Cope, who will serve as the afternoon’s MC.
Our city has a unique, diverse and, of course, delicious range of food available on our one-of-a-kind food trucks. As the Philadelphia Vendy Awards continue to grow, it is clear that our food will only get better and better. Muna says, “Philly has a wonderful selection of street food vendors representing all different types of food. The quality and quantity of street food vendors continues to increase each year and the Vendy Awards offers an opportunity to sample the very best!”
The 2014 Philadelphia Vendy Awards will be held this Saturday, June 14th at Penn Treaty Park on 1341 N Delaware Ave, running from 2 PM to 6 PM in the afternoon and evening. Tickets are $55 ahead of time, and only $30 for kids, and you can purchase them right now here. Act soon before they sell out! For more information, visit the Philadelphia Vendy Awards page here, and follow them on Twitter at@VendyAwards. Get ready to savor the absolute best of the best of Philly’s food trucks, it will be a day to remember in our city’s culinary world.
