Fire And Rain

Icelandic Street Food Awards: Rain 0 – Street Food 1

Let’s be honest. If the Icelandic Street Food Awards waited for sunshine, they’d never happen.

Thankfully, neither the traders nor the crowds got the memo.

Despite Reykjavík serving up its usual menu of rain, wind and “character-building conditions”, Hljómskála Garden was buzzing all weekend with thousands of visitors determined to prove that great street food tastes even better when you’ve earned it.

When the judging was over, Sigurður Gunnlaugsson – better known as Siggi Chef – was crowned Champion, taking home the title, a prize of 1 million ISK, and the honour of representing Iceland at the European Street Food Awards Finals in Saarbrücken, Germany, from 18–20 September.

His winning dish was a showstopper: Flat Iron Steak with a char siu marinade, smoked beef tallow and truffle aioli, cowboy butter onions, wild garlic oil, slow-cooked before being finished over hot coals. It was a dish that perfectly captured the creativity, craftsmanship and bold flavours that define Iceland’s thriving street food scene.

Food Truck and Funky Bhangra completed a fiercely contested podium, showing once again just how exciting Iceland’s street food scene has become.

The celebrations didn’t stop there. Tasty took home the Best Snack Award, the Churros Cart claimed the Best Dessert Award, 2Guys grilled their way to the Best Burger Award, and Chevere won the People’s Choice Award—arguably the toughest Award of them all, because it’s decided by the people who turned up, braved the weather and ate their way around the festival.

Congratulations to every trader who took part. Once again, Iceland proved that world-class street food doesn’t need blue skies—it just needs passionate cooks, adventurous diners and perhaps a waterproof jacket.

Next stop: Saarbrücken, where Iceland’s champion will take on the very best at the European Street Food Awards Finals. We can’t wait to see you there.