Foodies unite, for the time to rain down judgment has come. The best of the best that the UK’s street food scene has to offer are assembling at the British Street Food Awards, and it is up to you to crown a victor. Who is the best street food vendor in the UK? What is the best street food dish in the UK? Will an under-dog come up victorious against the Goliaths of the scene? It’s up to you (and a panel of esteemed judges) to decide.
This weekend, from September 9 – 11, The British Street Food Awards are bringing the grand finals of their deliberations to East London’s Hackney Bridge. Attendees will get the chance to try out delicious food from up-and-coming food vendors as well as those with already solidly established reps. And with the competition counting such institutions as MEATliquor and Bao among their previous winners, you could well get a chance to try London’s next big thing. You’ll be able to lay claim to having tried out the next cult London spot ‘before they were cool’. Try out Indian street food from Oh Babu, positively naughty comfort food from Scotland’s Junk, ridiculously imaginative tacos from The Bearded Taco, and Sri Lankan kotthu from Kochchi, plus much more.
The awards on offer
Thousands of entries from around the country have been whittled down, across multiple heats, to the 12 finalists. The winner will then get to represent the UK at the European Street Food Awards, taking on international heavyweights. Among the awards up for grabs are People’s Choice, Best Burger, and Best Vegetarian. New awards this year include the Spice Award, the Future Food Legend Award, the Best Looking, and the Sustainable Award.
Richard Johnson, the founder of Food Mutiny and founder of the awards, said:
“We don’t want a fixed starter-main course-dessert menu any more. We want a bit of this and a bit of that. Flirty, low-commitment dining. Plus it’s inclusive. In a world like ours, that’s a positive message right now.”
Head to the website to find out more, and to grab tickets for the day. A mere £5 gets you entry and a vote on the best street food dish at the competition, as well as a Cobra beer or a Surplus 2 Purpose mocktail made from rescued fruit. Tickets are available for Friday evening, or your choice between daytime and evening tickets for Saturday or Sunday.