Back for its fourth and strongest year yet, more than 20 of Philadelphia’s favorite traveling tidbit providers will descend upon Penn Treaty Park to fiercely compete for the most highly coveted honor in the history of the food truck culinary world: The Vendy Cup. The Philadelphia Vendy Awards, judged by five local culinary femme fatales, is taking place Saturday, June 14 at 2–6 p.m., when a new street side sovereign will be named.
Nominations are open until May 12 to ensure the voices of the people are heard. Early bird tickets are on sale for a limited time for $45, which includes an entire day of unlimited fun, food and an array of alcoholic beverages. Entrance also arms Vendy fans with the power to play their part in bestowing the ‘People’s Taste Award’ and witness the ceremonial passing of The Cup from reigning winner to the 2014 winner. All the while, the judging panel continues to do what they do best: pass judgment and announce the latest victor.
The Judges
- Felicia D’Ambrosio – founding partner of Federal Donuts and Communications Chief for CookNSolo Restaurants
- Lily Fischer – Recent Food Network’s Cupcake Wars winner and co-founder of Cake Life Bake Shop, slated to open on Fishtown’s Frankford Avenue, Fall 2014
- Danya Henninger – Philly-based food and drink writer and photographer Henninger is the local editor for Zagat Philadelphia, writes a weekly food events column for Philly.com and is a regular contributor to Philly Beer Scene magazine. Since 1997, she has run photo-video firm Imagic Digital with husband Mark, creating imagery for the architecture, hospitality and advertising industries.
- Ann Karlen – Founding Director of Fair Food, Karlen launched the Fair Food Farmstand in Reading Terminal Market, was a member of the Management Team that launched Common Market Philadelphia, consults with farmers and wholesale buyers to help build lasting business relationships, and serves on several advisory boards including the Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council appointed by Mayor Nutter.
- Nicole Woon – Blog Editor for Penn Appétit, the University of Pennsylvania’s premier food publication. She graduated from Penn’s Management & Technology (M&T) Program studying business and engineering.
The Vendy Awards are an annual event organized by The Street Vendor Project, a membership-based organization of more than 1,300 vendors. SVP’s famed Vendy Awards have determined New York City’s top street chef for eight years, becoming one of the most beloved and widely anticipated food events in New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Philadelphia.
In Philadelphia, the Vendy Awards will serve as a fundraiser for The Food Trust, a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization that strives to make healthy food available to all. Last year, The King of Falafel won the Vendy Cup while The Cow and the Curd was the People’s Choice Winner. Best Dessert accolades went to Lil’ Pop Shop.
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- Photos: Nina Lea Photography
