Slovak Success

If recent history is anything to go by, Slovakia will head to the European Street Food Awards finals in Germany on September 18-20 with more than just optimism packed alongside their grills and smokers. Over the past few years, Slovak traders have repeatedly punched above their weight on the continental stage, collecting titles, impressing judges, and proving that great street food is not reserved for Europe’s biggest culinary capitals. What once felt like an underdog story is increasingly becoming a habit.

After another successful edition of the Košice Street Food Festival, the visitors voted the People’s Choice Award to Smokey Street Food. Specialists in low-and-slow American-style barbecue, Smokey impressed the public (for the third year running) with their signature USDA Prime brisket, complemented by local Zemplínský koláč and Niva cheese. Following strong performances at previous European finals, they will once again carry Slovak hopes onto the international stage.

The Champion Award was decided by an expert jury consisting of chefs Martin Zahumenský and Michael Thiry, together with food bloggers Tomáš Bomba, Silvester Ceranko, and Dragan Stojakovič. This year, after a period of long and intense negotiation, the jury was tied. So they selected two winners: BRGR and Miki Street Food.

BRGR earned praise for a classic burger that impressed with its balance of flavours — the acidity of the pickles, the sharpness of the Dijon mustard, and the honest taste of quality beef. As the team puts it: “We don’t smash, because dry crusts with a litre of sauce are not our style.” For Miki Street Food, the victory marks another milestone in an already remarkable journey. Having previously been crowned European Champions, they now set their sights on becoming the first trader to win the European title twice.

This year’s Slovak line-up feels unusually strong. There is proven pedigree in Miki Street Food, growing international experience in Smokey Street Food, and a fresh challenger in BRGR. Whether that translates into trophies at the European finals remains to be seen, but there is a sense that Slovakia could be heading into one of its strongest years yet. A golden year may no longer be wishful thinking — it might just be the next chapter.