2013 Vendy AwardsPHILADELPHIA, PA – The awards for Philadelphia’s food trucks will make a return this summer.

The Third Annual Philadelphia Vendy Awards will take place June 8 at Penn Treaty Park on North Delaware Avenue in Fishtown.

There are a few celebrity judges — in the past, Mayor Michael Nutter, cheesesteak king Tony Luke and Barbuzzo Chef Marcie Turney. But ordinary ticket buyers are also judges —plus, judges get all-you-can-eat privileges at the trucks. Early-bird tickets are $45.

“Philadelphia continues to be one of our stronger, competitive cities,” said Helena Tubis, managing director of the event. “From the faithful, daily food truck advocates to the growing pool of culinary talent, we’re excited to see who makes the nominations and to sample the tasty, creative items served up by the City of Brotherly Love.”

Philadelphia’s Vendy Awards event is organized by the Street Vendor Project, a 1,300-member organization affiliated with the Urban Justice Center in New York.

The Vendy Awards have an eight-year history in New York City, and the Street Vendor Project has similar events in Los Angeles and New Orleans as well.

In Philadelphia, the Vendys are a fundraiser for the Food Trust, a local nonprofit.

Last year’s Vendy winner was Mark Coates and his Smoke Truck.

FInd the original article by Peter Van Allen at bizjournals.com <here>