Operators triumph at 2022 British Street Food Awards

Junk, which hails from Edinburgh and is led by chef Cameron Laidlaw, was crowned Champion at this year's awards and will go on to represent the UK at the 2022 European Street Food Awards, which are set to take place in Munich, Germany, in early October. 

The competition was judged by a celebrity panel that included musician and cookbook author Sophie Ellis-Bextor and actress and cookbook author Fay Ripley.

Bath-based Cajun specialist LJ Hugs picked up the People's Choice Award; while Sri Lankan street food operator Kochchi, which has a site in Edinburgh's Bonnie & Wild Market, received The Spice Award. 

Other awards handed out included the Sustainability Award, which went to ethically-minded fast food brand Wild Street Kitchen from the West Midlands; while the Future Food Legend award went to Blackpool's Mr Murray’s Scotch Eggs, which also won Best Snack for its Bury black pudding scotch egg served with Mr Murray’s apple and ale chutney.

Cutlery Works food hall in Sheffield was named Best Food Hall; and Indian street kitchen Oh Babu won the Best Burger prize for its pulled lamb pav.

As well as being named Champion, Junk was also recognised as having the Best Main Dish for its Monsieur Crabs plate featuring soft shell crab kaarage, yuzu kosho tartare, charred gem lettuce, kimichi and flaked Port Seaton white crab meat.

The British Street Food Awards was launched in 2009 by Food Mutiny, the events company started by award-winning food journalist and broadcaster Richard Johnson.

Previous winners of the top award have included Wingmans, MEATliquor and Bao.