The first annual food truck awards event, AwesTRUCK 2012, brought 1,800 foodies to Evergreen Brick Works for a sold-out event to dine on delicious street food from pop-up shops and food trucks. We were looking forward to this format since we had been to a few of the similar Toronto Underground Market monthly events, but this was more interesting because there were different phases of the evening including a VIP phase from 2-4pm followed by a general admission phase. This VIP phase is especially appealing because it allowed access to all food vendors with complimentary food for 2 hours including 3 drink tickets. It’s a fantastic event format for food enthusiasts who want to sample everything and avoid long lines. It’s like being a kid in a candy store for foodies!
Barbequed oyster delicacies from Tide & Vine
The Awestruck 2012 event opened with James Cunningham, host of Food Network Canada’s Eat St making the introductions.
Then hosts Pay Chen and Michelle Jobin then handed out the first of the annual AwesTRUCK awards:
People’s Choice – Gorilla Cheese (winner); El Gastronomo Vagabundo, Cupcake Diner, Blue Donkey Streatery, Buster’s Sea Cove, Dobro Jesti, Rome’n Chariot, Southern Smoke
Gorilla Cheese accepting the People’s Choice award
Best New Truck – Dobro Jesti (winner); Buster’s Sea Cove, Rome’n Chariot
Dobro Jesti accepting the award for Best New Truck
Road Warrior – El Gastronomo Vagabundo (winner)
Best Menu Item – El Gastronomo Vagabundo (winner, Fish Tacos); Gorilla Cheese (Sarducci); Cupcake Diner (Caramel Apple Pie); Rome’n Chariot (Meatball Sliders); Dobro Jesti (Deep Fried Rice Balls); Southern Smoke (Smoked Brisket with Smoked Mac & Daddy Cheese)
Best Concept – El Gastronomo Vagabundo (winner); Gorilla Cheese, Buster’s Sea Cove
Best Pop-Up – Fidel Gastro (winner); Babi & Co.; Big E’s Grinds
Fidel Gastro accepting the award for Best Pop-up
Best Graphics – Blue Donkey Streatery (winner); Buster’s Sea Cove, Rome’n Chariot
We love Tequila Tromba’s enthusiasm, flair and especially their margaritas from a few previous events we’ve been to (Food Dudes Food truck launch party, Boys Night Out and various Toronto Underground Market events) so it was no surprise to see them here in this familiar street food setting, But on this special occasion they treated guests with “Tromba AWESTRUCK Punch” which includes Tequila Tromba Blanco, Ceres Whispers of summer juice, Hibiscus-Rooibos syrup, fresh lime juice all topped with angostura bitters. The fog floating above the punch made it more intriguing thanks to the addition of dry ice.
Tequila Tromba
Judging for each category were selected on public vote on the AwesTRUCK 2012 website and the winners were determined by a panel of judges
- Alison Fryer, manager of The Cookbook Store
- Matthew Blackett, publisher of Spacing magazine
- Amy Rosen, food and travel writer
The People’s Choice Award was awarded to the truck receiving the most public votes.
We look forward to celebrating the food truck scene at next year’s AwesTRUCK 2013! …. with hopefully better by-laws for more delicious food trucks by then.
For more information visit www.foodtruckeats.ca/awestruck2012
Suresh Doss, Food Truck Eats, @spotlightcity
Tequila Tromba
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