CHICAGO, IL – The Vendy Awards have been described as “The Oscars of Street Food,” and for the first time they made their debut in Chicago ( at Kendall College) this past weekend. Our editor-in-chief Richard Myrick was on the judging panel that helped determine the winner of the Vendy Cup.

2013 Chicago Vendy Awards

Overhead view of the Vendys during setup.

The Vendy Awards have been given out to vendors in New York for the last 9 years by The Street Vendor Project, which helps street vendors. The Street Vendor Project helps street vendors connect with small business training as well as loans, to help the culture and ecosystem thrive. In addition, the Vendy Awards also help support Slow Food Chicago as well as Asociación de Vendedores Ambulantes (AVA), a non-profit organization that unites street vendors and their supporters to work towards regulations that allow vendors to sell their products in public spaces.

This year’s participants were:

There were two awards given out at the event.

The People’s Taste Award was determined by the votes of the attendees…

Chicago Vendy Awards Toasty Cheese

Although close, the winner was the Toasty Cheese Mobile Eatery.

The Vendy Cup Award was determined by the judges panel. Richard Myrick explained that coming up with a winner required some deliberation as many of the vendor dishes were delicious but also came with fantastic stories. Once the judges determined their choices, the winner was…

Chicago Vendy Awards Olgas Snacks

OLGA’S SNACKS!!!