The Scottish Street Food Awards, supported by Hellmann’s, will take place at leading street food venue, the pitt, on June 15th and 16th.
16 Scottish vendors will serve their wares to thousands of visitors, with food fans invited to vote for their favourite trader alongside guest judges, Ben Reade, of Edinburgh Food Studio and Scott Smith of Fhior.
• READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Edinburgh’s coolest street food venue the pitt
From crispy haggis bao buns to venison pastrami sliders, the event promises to showcase a range of flavours from Scotland’s thriving street food scene.
Speaking of the awards, founder of the pitt, Hal Prescott, said: “Scots know great food, and the creativity that street food vendors bring to table is nothing short of brilliant.
Pizza from Wanderers Kneaded
"Come and cast your vote for Scotland’s street food favourite - with such a brilliant trader line up, this is a foodie weekend you won’t want to miss.”
• READ MORE: The story of the man who set out to bring Peruvian street food to Scotland’s capital
The winner of the Scottish Street Food Awards will go on to compete at the British Street Food Awards, with a view to making it to the European finals, held in Malmö, Sweden.
Francesco Bani, originally from Italy, will be there with Wanderers Kneaded – a pizzeria on wheels serving sourdough pizzas cooked in a woodfired oven in an old-school food truck.
And how does he create the popular pizzas? Francesco said: “Scouting for fresh, high quality produce in the right quantities and using local farms to help us with our selection of meat and cheese as well as an independent Italian supplier that brings us the finest selection of goods, from 00 Caputo flour and San Marzano tomatoes to Nduja and Guanciale.
Vegan mac n 'cheeze' from FacePlant Food
“Our idea was born from trying to serve food in the most honest way possible. We are succeeding in being a sustainable pizzeria on wheels that don’t always look for ways to cut corners in order to work. It’s a tricky balance but its genuinely what keeps us going – knowing that day-in-day-out we cook just what we believe in, no excuses, and served to the community that we love.”
And for the sweet toothed street food lover Emma Riddell from Moo Pie will also be parked up at the Pitt.
A former nutritionist, Emma decided to switch tact and went to Gelato University in Bologna, before launching Moo Pie Gelato. And despite sometimes selling in the rain, Emma said the local scene is an exciting one to be part of.
“Street food is about getting decent food within a super chilled vibe. Plus events like the Pitt are fab as the traders are ever changing. It’s a great forum for trying a total array of foods,” Emma said. “Edinburgh is actually pretty amazing. There are a lot of people doing some really cool stuff. Plus as a trader it is a really cool community to be part of.”
Previous winners buffalo truck, The Shawarma Shack, melted, rost, barnacles n bones, The Peruvian, ShrimpWreck, Ginger and Chilli, Moskito, Faceplant foods, Prime Street Food, Fatboys and The Redshank will also be in vying for the top spot.
• The Pitt opens from 12 noon, entry at £3 on the door, or £2 purchased in advance here.
