Midtown Lunch

Well, the Hot Doug’s event at Astor Center is already sold out- but there’s another event that was just announced you might be interested in. There are no foie gras dogs, or duck fat fries- just discussion about an issue that should be near and dear to every Midtown Luncher’s heart.  This Sunday night the Street Vendor Project is hosting a panel called “Street Food Snapshots: Mobile Vending in NYC” featuring SVP founder Sean Basinski, Serious Eats‘ Ed Levine, Kim from the Treats Truck, and me.  We’ll discuss the current explosion of “fancy” food trucks, how it is effecting the Street Vendor Project and the Vendy Awards, and what it means for the future of street vending in general.

I’ve written a lot about these issues on Midtown Lunch over the past few years- so if you’ve become interested in the subject, own a street food truck, are thinking of getting into the business, or you’d just like to tell me in person how much of an idiot you think I am, this event is for you! Tickets are $15, and light snacks will be served PLUS they are “working on turning the street in front of Astor Center into a one-time night market with a couple of participating vendors ready and waiting to sell you snacks after the discussion is over.”  A portion of the ticket price will go to benefit the Street Vendor Project, and all ticket holders will get $5 off tickets to the Vendy Awards, or a free Vendy Award poster (if you’ve already bought your Vendy tickets.)  For more info, and to purchase your ticket visit the Astor Center Website. See you there!

The Mayor & Contessa Brewer Eating Street Meat. Photo Courtesy of Eater.

Who would have guessed it but the mayor likes spicy street food! Eater reported on Friday that Mayor Bloomberg visited the Calexico Cart down in SoHo and enjoyed a steak burrito extra spicy while being interviewed by NBC.  According to this article in the New York Post he was being asked to respond to comments made by the Mayor of Portland claiming that their street food is better than New York’s.  I’ve got no comment on that (!?!) but was really surprised to see Bloomberg enjoying some street food.  I always assumed he was in the Guiliani camp when it came to vendors (good old Rudy would have been happy to have seen them all disappear), but it’s good to hear he was defending our vendors against Portland.

As for what he really thinks?  I emailed Sean Basinski from the Street Vendor Project (the non profit organization that runs the Vendy Awards and advocates for vendors here in NYC) to get the lowdown…

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The nominees for best dessert vendor were just announced for the 2009 Vendy Awards. The Wafels and Dinges Truck and the Dessert Truck were both nominated for a second year in a row, although the Dessert Truck won’t be able to participate because of everything on their plate.  The Cupcake Stop Truck and the Big Gay Ice Cream Truck were nominated for the first time.  The Treats Truck wasn’t eligible because they won last year.

The three nominees will all serve their sweets at the event, which this year is taking place at the Queens Museum of Art on September 26th.  They will join the 5 savory nominees, announced last week.  If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, what are you waiting for?!?  It is definitely going to sell out.  All proceeds benefit the Street Vendor Project, and the tickets are tax deductible.

Related:
2009 Vendy Award Finalists Announced!

Well, considering all the negative comments the Rickshaw Dumpling Truck has gotten from Midtown Lunchers since opening last year I can’t say I’m completely surprised by the reaction to their Vendy Award nomination.  While some might be upset because Rickshaw is an offshoot of a restaurant, or not really the type of vendor that represents the true spirit of the awards- most are focusing on the fact that they just don’t like the dumplings. There have been cries of foul play, and just general disbelief in the comments, and one guy even asked on Twitter if he could return his ticket for a full refund. Serious Eats grand poo-bah Ed Levine, a former Vendy judge himself, posted a comment to SENY displaying a similar disbelief.

What do I think?

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The finalists for the 2009 Vendy Awards have been announced, and Midtown Lunchers should recognize at least 3 out of 5 of the nominees!  (I can’t get too excited because I’m a judge this year, and have to be completely impartial.  But that doesn’t mean you can’t jump up and down, and do a dance…)  It looks like the Biryani Cart (on 46th & 6th) will get another chance to take home the top prize (last year they won People’s Choice), King of Falafel “Freddie Zeidaies” will represent Queens, Rickshaw Dumpling Truck has got the hipster trucks covered this year, Jamaican Dutchy (on 51st and 7th) makes their first appearance, and the Country Boys/Martinez Taco Truck will be doing the Red Hook Ball Field vendors proud (last year Rafael Soler got to show off his fantastic pupusas.)

For those who are unfamiliar with the Vendy Awards, it’s pretty much the Oscars of the street food world.  It’s put on by the Street Vendor Project, a non profit organization that advocates for vendors, and each year features 5 nominated vendors in a street food cookoff!  There also is the newly added dessert category (in its second year), which lets vendors like the Dessert Truck and Treats Truck (last year’s People’s Choice Award) show off their wares.  Ticket price includes plates of food from all the vendors, and all the proceeds from the event go to benefit the SVP. Judges pick the winners, but attendees get to vote for their favorites- with the winners receiving the coveted “People’s Choice Award”.

Each of this year’s nominated vendors has their own special video.  Check out the Midtown ones, and more about the event, after the jump…

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Could this year’s Vendy Awards get any better?  Not only did I sucker them into letting me be a judge, now I get to do it alongside Mario Batali!  That of course is in addition to Jaques Torres, Pichet Ong, and citizen judge (and profiled Midtown Luncher) Mina Fasolo.  And you still have time to nominate your favorite cart. PLUS as an added bonus, anybody who buys tickets to the Vendy Awards before Friday at Midnight will be entered in a raffle for an invite to Street-Meat-Palooza, happening next week. (Don’t worry if you’ve already purchased tickets, you’ll be entered as well.)  So if you haven’t bought your tickets to this year’s Vendys, here are another two reasons to get on that!  (The third reason being, it’s definitely going to sell out.) [Vendy Awards Site]

UPDATE: Mario has pulled out as a judge, due to an “unexpected conflict”

Some people start blogs to get a real writing gig, or a book deal.  Some do it to get invited to events and openings and score free food.  My only dream in starting Midtown Lunch was that one day I would get to be a judge at the Vendy Awards (the Academy Awards for street food.)  Well, this year they have been suckered decided to make that dream a reality.  But even more exciting than the news about me, is that this year you can be a judge too!

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