The Vendy Awards Are Going to Los Angeles

[Photographs: streetvendor.org/vendys/la/]

What have been nicknamed the Academy Awards of New York City street food, the Vendy Awards will for the first time hold a Los Angeles edition this year on May 15 at MacArthur Park. This is a big day for curbside cuisine lovers!

Zach Brooks, a Vendys judge last year and street foodophile, breaks the news this morning on Midtown Lunch: Los Angeles. "The Vendys are pretty much my favorite NYC event," a surely beaming-as-he-types Brooks wrote.

Tickets are on sale now for $50 with proceeds benefiting organizations that support L.A. street vendors. Nominate your favorite vendors before April 15. The nominees will be announced on May 1. Who's eligible? Anyone who sells food in the streets, sidewalks or public spaces, anywhere in Los Angeles County. Just like the five-year old NYC Vendys, the nominees will be determined by public online vote.

"More often than not, in our city, vendors are treated like criminals. This will be one day for them to shine like stars," said Victor Narro, project director at the Downtown Labor Center, in a press release. Vive la street food!

All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.