As one of the leading media, film, entertainment, restaurant and apparel law firms in the country, Pryor Cashman is used to seeing its clients bestowed with the highest accolades and awards in the industries of television, radio, theater, fashion, restaurants and film. Pryor Cashman clients have received Oscars, Tonys, Emmys, Grammys and James Beard Awards. So it was only fitting that Pryor Cashman should act as the lead sponsor to the Third Annual Vendy Awards on September 29, 2007. The “Vendys” honor restaurateurs who work outside of traditional restaurants – New York City street cart food vendors. 

The Vendys were organized and conceived by the Urban Justice Center, a non-profit advocacy group which provides legal advice and representation to street vendors who struggle against oppressive local laws and bureaucracy to make a living while bringing affordable and delicious meals to the entire city. The celebrity judges this year included “foodies” from Gourmet Magazine, The Food Network and The New York Times, as well as Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer. 

Pryor Cashman partner, Richard Frazer, head of the firm’s Restaurant, Food and Beverage practice group, represented the firm at the event. A Cannes Film Festival atmosphere permeated Tompkins Square Park in the East Village as the five Vendy finalists walked the red carpet amidst national press coverage. Frazer dutifully sampled tacos, falafel, dosas (an Indian crepe), lamb kebobs, jerk chicken and oxtail stew. Although he was partial to the oxtail, no argument could be had with the judges’ final decision: third time nominee Thiru Kumar, the vegetarian “Dosa Man” of Washington Square, took top honors.

For more information on the Urban Justice Center’s Street Vendor Project, go to www.streetvendor.org.