British Street Food Awards

The grand finale of the British Street Food Awards took place last weekend following much speculation that it could be cancelled following The Queen’s death.

With the Scots and Welsh already en-route with a van full of food however, the organisers felt they couldn’t inflict more losses on small hospitality businesses that had already suffered so much during Covid and vowed to continue with the weekend as scheduled.

Judges on the day included Michelin-starred Tom Brown and Andy Beynon, plus Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Richard Jones (who had just written their Love. Food. Family cookbook) plus actor Fay Ripley who’s written three cookbooks.

Following stiff competition during four regional heats, Judges Choice on the day went to Edinburgh based Junk, who wowed judges with their Monsieur Crabs – crispy soft shell crab kaarage, yuzu kosho tartare, charred gem lettuce, kimichi and flaked Port Seaton white crab meat.

Lifting the award for People’s Choice was LJ Hugs from Bath, followed closely by The Fork Society from Birmingham and Kochchi from Glasgow.

Bearded Taco from Cardiff walked away with the title of Best Vegetarian thanks to the epic taste of the Let’s Avo Cwtch – a Californian taco, with gin and tonic tempura avocado served on a lemon and agave slaw, vegan chipotle aioli, mango and habanero salsa and fresh coriander. Best Snack AND the title of Future Food Legend was awarded to Murray’s Scott Eggs from Manchester with their Bury black pudding scotch eggs, served with apple and ale chutney and a side of Lancashire parched peas.

Best Burger went to Oh Babu with their six-hour Naughty Pulled Lamb Pav, and Best Sandwich was Humble Kusina with 100 Islands – pulled beef kaldereta, ikura, kewpie and spring onion. Birmingham based Skullduggery snatched up the prize for Best Dessert after flooding the judges table with an Under the Sear themed artwork consisting of edible oyster shells and a six-foot Poseidon.

Best Looking Food Truck went to Peddling Pizza, whilst Cutlery Works in Sheffield took the award for Best Food Hall.

Junk and LJ Hugs will now go on to represent the UK at the 2022 European Street Food Awards, taking place in Munich between the dates of 7-9^th October.

For more information on the European Street Food Awards, click here.