Sri Lankan wins third annual Vendy Award

Sri Lankan wins third annual Vendy Award

Thiru "The Dosa Man" Kumar is winner for the third time.

The Sri Lankan, who runs NY Dosa, a vegan food cart in Manhattan, won the third annual Vendy Award, given to the city's top street chef vendor.

Kumar, who had competed unsuccessfully for the two previous Vendy Awards, won for his specialty Pondicherry dosas, a type of filled crepe. He accepted the large silver Vendy cup Saturday night.

Kumar, who operates his cart at Washington Square Park, beat out four other finalists, including carts for tacos and falafel.

The public whittled several hundred entrants down to the five finalists. A panel that included former Food Network host Sara Moulton selected the winner after a cook-off.

Kumar said he learned how to cook in his native Sri Lanka, where his family owned a restaurant.