Launched in New York City in 2005, The Vendy Awards is a street food showcase and an intense cook-off between the best sidewalk chefs in the city.  What Mario Batali called “the Oscars of food for the real New York” will make its Philadelphia debut this July. The inaugural Philly event will be a fundraiser for The Food Trust, the Philadelphia non-profit organization that strives to make healthy food available to all.

HERE’S HOW IT WORKS:

First, Vendy attendees purchase tickets for all the food they can eat from the city’s best street chefs and an open bar of wine and beer. At the event, the vendor finalists cook from their carts and trucks and attendees eagerly line up to taste the diverse range of foods offered. A team of celebrity judges (yet to be named) will determine which chef reigns supreme on the streets and bestows them with the ultimate honor, The Vendy Cup.  Other awards presented that day include Rookie of the Year, Best Dessert and the People’s Taste Award.

Speaking of taste… consider yourself a tastemaker? The Vendys want your help in nominating your favorites. Until June 10th, The Vendys are taking public nominations to determine who will be the lucky 8-10 vendors invited to compete against each other for street food glory. Rock the vote, people!

This year’s food truck participants will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for who will be a contender and which celebrities will be bestowing the honors.