About the 2009 Vendy Awards

What are the Vendy Awards (aka The Vendys)?
The Vendys are:
  • An intense cook-off between the best sidewalks chefs in New York City for the Vendy Award trophy and the title of Vendy Award winner.
  • One of New York City’s most beloved and widely anticipated food events, and its premier street food showcase.
  • A festival of respect and gratitude for all vendors and everything they provide us-from your morning coffee (half-and-half, two sugars) to the $2 umbrella when you get caught in the thunderstorm.
  • A fundraiser for the Street Vendor Project, a membership-based non-profit organization that stands up for vendors’ rights.
When and Where are the Vendys?
The Vendy Awards will take place on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 from 2pm to 7pm at the Queens Museum of Art, outdoors near the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It’s easy to get there, as it’s exactly the same subway station as the Mets and the US Tennis Center (Mets/Willets Point on the 7 line). The museum is a 5 - 10 minute walk through the park, and we will run a trolley between the subway station and the museum. Bike parking will also be available. Subway and driving directions can be found here. Here’s a map:

View 2009 Vendy Awards in a larger map
Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was the location of the 1939 and 1964 World Fairs, including their famous food pavilions. We are thrilled to continue the site’s tradition of bringing the food of the world to the people of New York.
How are the finalists chosen?
The finalists are determined by a public nomination process where people like you tip us off about which vendors you think are Vendy-worthy. Nominate your favorite vendor now!
What happens at the Awards?
The finalists are stationed with their carts cooking for Vendy attendees, who eagerly wait on line, and the judges, who meet the vendors and enjoy the food. Beer and wine will be plentiful; tables and chairs will be scattered about for the food-weary. There will be music, performances and a raffle. At the end of the night, after a short ceremony that includes naming the People’s Choice Award winner, one happy vendor will receive the Silver Vendy Cup and the title of 2009 Vendy Award winner.
Please wear comfortable shoes! While each year we work to reduce the length of the lines, standing in line is part of the Vendy – and street food – experience (unless you opt for our new “table service”). We do not know if any marriages have come out of people waiting on line together, but we do know that many friendships have been born as people patiently and hungrily wait for their chance to sample the finalists’ food. Let us know if you met your spouse or boy/girlfriend at the Vendys!
Can I help choose the Vendy winner?
You have two opportunities to help choose this year’s winners.
  • Buy your ticket before June 1, and you will be entered into the lottery to be our first “Citizen Judge,” and will be part of selecting the 2009 Vendy Award winner. As Citizen Judge, you will participate in our esteemed judges’ panel, be listed on the website and eat at Judges’ Table.
  • As in past years, attendees choose our People’s Choice Award winner. More exciting news on this front to follow shortly.
Which Awards will be given out this year?
Our judges will award one finalist the Vendy Cup and title of Vendy Award winner. Additionally, Vendy attendees will vote to choose the People’s Choice Award winner from the finalists. We anticipate having additional categories, including a return of the People’s Choice dessert category. Please stay tuned for more information
What does my ticket get me?
Your $80 entry ticket ($60 through May 31st; $100 at the door, if available; $150 with table service) is a tax-deductible contribution to the Street Vendor Project, whose goal is to make sure that vendors are always a part of our city. You also get all the free food you can eat from the city’s best street chefs and an open bar of wine, beer and soda. This year, we are delighted to include free admission to the Queens Museum of Art.
Can I buy my ticket later or at the door?
Maybe, but we can’t promise there will still be tickets available. The event has been getting bigger and bigger every year, and in order to keep the lines manageable, we need to limit the number of tickets sold. Buy your ticket now to be safe.
Are kids welcome? Do they need tickets?
We love kids and kids love street food. Children under 8 do not need a ticket, and tickets for kids ages 8-12 are half-price ($30 until May 31, $40 in advance, $50 at the door, $75 table service).
Last year I wanted to buy the Vendy aprons worn by the volunteers, but they weren’t for sale. Will they be available this year?
Yes! We will have t-shirts and aprons on sale at the Vendys. If you can’t wait, you can buy and the Vendys Cafe Press Store. You can buy the 2008 designs at the 2008 Vendys Store.
I’m a member of the press. How do I get a press pass or arrange to interview the people who organize the Vendys or individual vendors?
Please do not call or email the office; rather, send an email to Jaclyn Kessel at Jaclyn@BerlinRosen.com. Please include your contact info and the name of your publication. Press passes are limited.
My company would like to sponsor the Vendy Awards. What should I do?
In four years, the Vendy Awards has established itself as a classic NYC event that brings out hundreds of food-savvy guests and attracts local, national, and international media attention. We are actively looking for corporate sponsors, big and small, to partner with us to make this event a success. Please contact us at vendyawards@gmail.com or (646) 602-5679 about your interest in sponsoring the event.
Can I volunteer at the Vendys, or help organize this year’s Vendys?
We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to help plan and work the event. Please email vendyvolunteers@gmail.com if you are interested. People love volunteering with the Vendys – we have volunteers returning for their third year who have already signed up. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait until the last minute.
How can I help support the Street Vendor Project?
We receive NO government grants and depend on people like you to support our work. We always appreciate financial help, even if you can’t come to the Awards. Please go to the tickets page to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Street Vendor Project.
Why do vendors need an organization?
Vendors are poor people, usually immigrants, with little legal or political clout. NYC’s super-powerful real estate industry (who mistakenly believes that vendors compete with their store-based merchants) have managed over the last twenty years to 1) decrease the number of licenses, 2) declare many streets off-limits to vending, and 3) raise fines to as much as $1,000 per ticket for technical violations of the vending rules – like placing your cart more than 18 inches from the curb. The Street Vendor Project is akin to a union; we help our 750 individual members while providing a voice for the vending community as a whole.
Who did the website and artwork?
Greg Takayama did the web work and Zachariah O’Hora did the awesome poster. If you see anything strange with the site, drop Greg an email at gregtakayama@gmail.com.

The Vendy Awards is a fundraiser to support the Street Vendor Project of the Urban Justice Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a voice for the thousands of people who sell food and merchandise on the streets of our city.

The cost of each ticket is tax-deductible.

Individual Tickets

  • $60 Recession Special through May 31 then $80 until day-of
  • $100 at the door
  • $150 Table Service (limited availability)

Donor Packages

$200, $500 and $1,000 packages available with lots of extras

Vendy Benefit Committee

Anna Allen
Doris Ruth Barton
Sean Basinski
Rupa Bhattacharya
Merv Burton
Paul Chawla
Jennifer Lea Cohan
Dan Cohen
Amelia Durand
Jason S. Fitz
Hilary Haeg
Laura Goldberg
Amy Kantrowitz
Rachel Kleinman
Joanne Ling
Serge Martinez
Morgan McOwen
Nancy Ralph
Tawfiq Rangwala
Stan Sagner
Mithun Sundar
Allison Upton
Yanki Tshering
Caroline Waxler
Wonita Williams
Choi Wah Wong