King Of The North

It was one hell of a food fight. Fifteen of the most exciting street food traders, drawn from all across the north of England, showing the Manchester public – and an esteemed panel of judges – what they could do. At Freight Island, Manchester’s leading destination for food, drink, and entertainment. With TWO killer dishes. Here’s how it went down.

Champion
1. Back-A-Yard
2. Fuku
3. Baldy’s Pies
4. Payal
5. Mia’s Arepas

People’s Choice
1. Burgerism
2. Pattersons
3. Mega Gyros
4. Back-A-Yard
5. Mia’s Arepas

The Champion and the People’s Choice of the Northern heat – plus a wild card or two – will now advance to the British Street Food Awards grand final at Hackney Bridge in London on September 13th – 15th, with winners there going on to represent the UK at the European Street Food Awards grand final in Germany on October 4-6.

The judges in Manchester included Sam Grainger, chef patron at the critically acclaimed Belzan in Liverpool; curator and producer of food events Gemma Saunders; legendary food and drink presenter Matt White; top chef and Top 50 gastropub owner Luke Payne; and founder of the British Street Food Awards Richard Johnson. They are now sitting down, but here are the 30 dishes they judged:

1. Back-a-Yard Cuisine – authentic Jamaican flavours bringing a taste of the Caribbean
• Jerk Chicken Dumpling – £6.50
• Sweet Potato and Jackfruit Curry Stew

2. Baldy’s Dark Kitchen – multi award-winning artisan pies
• Chicken Kiev Pie – £6.50
• Big Jim Pie

3. Burgerism – North West’s most ordered burger serving premium smashed burgers
• The Cheesed – £6.50
• The Veggied – £10.95

4. Colombo Street– award-winning Sri Lankan street food
• Loaded Jumbo Mutton – £6.50
• Kottu with Chili Fish

5. Fuku – a fusion of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisine
• Salt & Pepper Chicken with Fries or Rice – £6.50
• Korean Fried Chicken with Fries or Rice – £12

6. Hello Oriental – a culinary journey through the diverse flavours of Asia
• Pork Soup Dumplings – £6.50
• Sichuan Chilli Fried Chicken Burger – £12

7. Mega Gyros – classic Greek gyros bringing a taste of the Mediterranean
• Chicken Gyros Wrap – £6.50
• The Goliath Wrap – £12.50

8. Mia’s Arepas a taste of Venezuela – traditional Venezuelan dish bringing a taste of South America
• Pabellón Criollo Arepa – £6.50
• Cheese Pork Fiesta – £6.50

9. Pattersons – serious fried chicken brined in its signature mix of herbs and spices
• Famous Crispy Wings – £6.50
• Famous Fried Chicken Leg – £12

10. Payal Events – serving flavoursome Indian street food cuisine
• Aloo Vada Pav – £6.50
• Chicken Chapli Pav – £8.50

11. Rio-Mex – a vibrant fusion of Brazilian and Mexican street food
• Barbecued Picanha Taco – £6.50
• Cumbrian Pork Al Pastor and Brazilian-style Barbecued Pineapple Taco

12. Smoking Coal – BBQ dishes smoked to perfection with a unique blend of flavours
• Kimchi BBQ Glazed Smoked Brisket Burnt Ends – £6.50
• House Smoked Brisket French Dip Sandwich – £17

13. Syiok-lah – Malaysian cuisine offering a delicious array of traditional dishes
• Beef randang – £6.50
• Nasi Lemak with Coconut Rice

14. ThatZiki – Greek street food with a modern twist
• Slow Cooked Pulled Greek Lamb Pita – £6.50
• Hot Honey Halloumi Gyros

15. Zapp – traditional Polish street food showcasing authentic ingredients
• Goralska Zapiekanka – £6.50
• Placki