Adam Sobel’s mobile vegan kitchen, Cinnamon Snail, claimed top prize at the Street Vendor Project’s tenth-annual Vendy Awards, held Saturday afternoon on a sopping Governors Island. The non-profit’s end-of-summer fundraiser attracted hundreds of food truck lovers unfazed by rain as they lined up to sample the New York’s finest street and market vendors all sharing hefty portions of ethnic eats and vegan treats like Bolivian triple-pork sliders, maple syrup-glazed grilled cheese, and marzipan chipwiches.
While the top prize was decided by local chefs and celebrities including City Grit’s Sarah Simmons, Man v. Food star Adam Richman, and E! correspondent Alicia Quarles, the crowd voted former champion Calexico Cart the Masters Cup, pop-up creamery Ice & Vice with Best Dessert, AsianCini riceballers Zha Pan Asian with Best Market Vendor, non-profit truck Snowday with Rookie of the Year, while Nuchas claimed the coveted People’s Taste Award.
Words and photos by Adam Robb for the Village Voice.