Vendy Awards LA

I was fortunate enough to win Katie B.‘s contest to be the Unilocal judge at this year’s Vendy Awards in LA. I was there along with celebrity judges: Lee Anne Wong (Top Chef), Bryant Ng (Spice Table), Hadley Tomicki (GrubStreet LA), and James Cunningham (Eat St.). All of the judges were super nice. Thanks to Helena and Sean for all of their hard work.
The event was held at the Pan Pacific Park adjacent to the Grove off of Beverly Blvd. Admission was $ 40 prepaid, kids 10 & under free. The proceeds of the event go to LA City Farm (
) to make locally organic farmed produce and prepared foods available to Southern Californian communities. The finalists provided food for all of the people in attendance. The nice thing was that it wasn’t crowded. Tickets are only sold in advance, you cannot just show up and pay. That way, they can control the crowd.
Finalists in attendance were: Lime Truck, India Jones Chow Truck, Buttermilk Truck, Marta’s Organic Tamales, Karina’s Mexican Catering and Tacos El Gallito Truck. All the vendors and trucks put on a great showing providing ample samples for all. There was plenty of water and beverages. No alcohol this year, which was reflected in the price. I think if alcohol was provided more people might be interested. I thought the event was well executed and everyone enjoyed themselves. The fact that it wasn’t overcrowded was really great. People weren’t packed into a tight space but were allowed to roam and enjoy. The live band was awesome too. Everyone left stuffed and the vendors were even kind enough to box stuff up for us to take home.
The winner of the Vendy Cup was India Jones Chow truck with their delicious Indian food. Our 2^nd choice and the winner of the People’s Choice award went to Karina’s Mexican Catering. All of the vendors did a great job and they all deserved to win.

Surprisingly fun.
I thought it was going to be another insane crowd at another way too advertised food event in LA LA land. I am super glad I was wrong as I had a great time. The finalists were all truly excellent and the judges did a great job in balancing variety with quality.
With an afternoon of all you can eat food, beer and wine… I am most certainly going to next year’s event.
Also, look at the Serious Eats post about this event. You can see me in the very first photo wearing a pink shirt! Woohoo I’m famous baby!

So lemme get this straight.
All I have to do is pay $ 50 and I can get unlimited wine, beer, figi water, India Jones, Grilled Cheese Truck, Hot Dog and TWO taco trucks?
Then, there will be a cumbia band playing awesome music AND I’ll have a chance to get interviewed by the LA Times who will quote me in the online article the next weekday?
Shut up.

After hemming and hawing about attending the Vendy Awards LA, I finally deicded to go at the last minute. I was hesitant because of my recent experiences with food festivals this year, which will go unnamed.
I was actually surprised that it was a smaller gathering. I was expecting a large obscene crowd like other festivals. It was more of a big street party that mingled inside the circle of food vendors. I guess the $ 50 entrance fee deterred many people. I was glad I went. I ate so well.
I had expected some hidden costs at the festival, but instead everything was free. Everything. Beer, wine and the food. The street vendor and food trucks (5 finalists) were just cranking out their food. So gracious and generous with the food. The lines were not a bother at all. I made repeat visits.
Finalists include:
— India Jones Chow Truck
— Hot Dog Kings
— Big Mista’s BBQ
— Nina’s Foods
— The Grilled Cheese Truck
— Tacos el Galuzo
The judges were given a couple of items off their menu that best displays their work on the truck. (By the way, it was too bad Big Mista BBQ only had a pulled bbq bite sandwich and reserved some of their better known items for only judges)
The 6 finalists each had every right to be present. they each had their unique flavor and personality. The judges voted and I agreed that the winner of the first Vendy Award LA was Nina’s Food. Brilliant quesadilla. Nina’s Food is best described in Darrell L’s review:
No disrespect to all the contestant or the renaissance of gourmet trucks business in the past year. Street vendors and food trucks have been a tradition in Los Angeles for a long time. Its very fitting that Nina won. The Vendy Award LA honored a tiny business that captures the heart and essence of street vendors in LA. I hope this event happens again.