Philly Vendy Awards Announced

from the inbox:

The Philly Vendy Awards has a king! It’s Gigi and Big R Caribbean/American Soul Food, who won the highly coveted Vendy Cup saturday at the 1st annual Philadelphia Vendy Awards, sponsored by The Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center.

Over 500 savvy street foodies came to Piazza at Schmidts for this year’s intense grill-to-grill cook-off to determine Philadelphia’s top street chef. Categories this year included the Vendy Cup, Best Dessert, and the Peoples Taste Award. Proceeds will benefit The Food Trust, a nonprofit that strives to make healthy food available to all. Last year, three Philadelphia vendors came to New York to participate in the 2010 Vendys where it was announced that the event would debut in Philly in 2011.

“The Vendy Awards get bigger and bigger every year, and this year was another huge success,” said Sean Basinski, Director of the Street Vendor Project at the Urban Justice Center. “Philadelphia has fantastic street food, and I can’t think of a better way than a day like today to honor these vendors who keep hundreds of Philly residents well fed and satisfied.”

VENDY CUP WINNER: Gigi and Big R Caribbean/American Soul Food

BEST DESSERT: Sweet Box

PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Cucina Zapata