GOVERNORS ISLAND — Locally sourced comfort food — with a taste of New York’s finest maple syrup in every bite — was the fan and judge favorite at the city’s biggest street food competition, the Vendy Awards on Saturday.
Food truck Snowday, known for its homey, ‘farm-to-truck’ fare, like maple grilled cheese sandwiches, took home the top prize, the Vendy Cup, at this year’s food throw-down.
The truck also won the People’s Choice award, a prize voted on by the scores of hungry, street-food aficionados that swarmed Governors Island for the fierce-ly delicious day of eating and voting.
It was easy to see, or really taste, why the truck took home the big silver cup, many satisfied customers said Saturday.
“Those little maple grilled cheese bites were just incredible, “ said Tricia Spurgeon, who’s come to the Vendy Awards four years in a row for all the delectable bites. “Everything here is really great, but they were a standout.”
Beating out four other finalists, including Astoria’s Souvlaki Lady and the Financial District’s Biryani House, Snowday no stranger to wins at the Vendy Awards. Last year they took home the rookie of the year award.
The truck serves up its food on Governors Island on the weekends and isn’t only beloved for its fare. Many talked about the vendor’s unique mission of using the money it makes to support nonprofit Direct Change.
The organization teaches and hires formerly incarcerated young people.
“We’re so grateful,” said Jordyn Lexton, the executive director of Direct Change. “It feels incredible to win, because of our food and our mission — when people think about our food truck we want them to think about social justice."
The Vendy Awards, now in its tenth year, also serves as a fundraiser for the Street Vendor Project, a nonprofit that advocates for vendor's rights.
Below are the the complete list of the 2015 winners:
The Vendy Cup: Snowday
People’s Choice: Snowday
Rookie of the Year: Coney Shack Tacos
Best Market Vendor: Home Frites
Best Dessert: Doughnuttery
Best Street Drink: Renegade Lemonade
