Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's Rose Dominguez before trying our first sample at ManyFest 2014's Food Truck Wars. (Photos by Robin Summerfield)
Downtown Winnipeg BIZ knows how to throw a fantastic party. Every September, a few blocks of Broadway and Memorial Drive are invaded during ManyFest, a three-day fete celebrating the best of city life and the best of Winnipeg.
The festival includes: a beer and wine tent, the Electric Donkey run (a glow-in-the-dark fun run), Ciclovica (a celebration of cycling in the city), Food Truck Wars and much more.
Food Truck Wars is a celebration of Winnipeg's fleet of mobile food purveyors. Winnipeg's food trucks all converge on one long block, bringing their street eats to urbanites. It's a great event for anyone wanting to sample bites from a bunch of trucks all at the same time.
This year, 25 food trucks are in the hunt for top spot as Winnipeg's best food truck. And like last year, I was tapped to judge. And yes, I love my job. And yes, eating from 25 food trucks all in one day is a very daunting endeavour.
With help from Rose Dominguez, Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's events coordinator, we methodically worked up one side of the street and then down the other. We also enlisted a lovely young family to help us eat all the extra food. (Many thanks to Alex, Candace and little Brody for their enthusiasm and their appetites.)
Each truck was asked to submit their best eats. We are looking for best bang for your buck; best presentation and most original. And it had to taste great too. My top picks will be announced today (Sunday September 7) at 2 p.m. at the main stage at the corner of Broadway and Memorial in front of the Legislature. The people's choice award for best food truck will also be announced then too.
So, I won't give away anything here (yet). In the meantime, here are a few pictures.
Rose Dominguez after sampling our very last bite at ManyFest 2014's Food Truck Wars. (The pork and beans from BBK were actually quite good.)
Peg City Grub is your ultimate source for everything foodie in Winnipeg. From the hottest chefs to the best new restaurants to the most delicious events, we’ve got you covered. Follow us on Twitter @pegcitygrub and visit www.tourismwinnipeg.com for more on the city’s fabulous dining options.
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