New York: Thiru 'The Dosa Man' Kumar who is a Sri Lankan migrant has won the Vendy Award. He is also known as the city's top street chef vendor.

He was a finalist twice in the annual contest that started three years ago. Kumar has been a winner over the weekend with his "Pondicherry Dosa", which has a filling of vegetables. There were four other finalists with fare including tacos and falafel-shwarma.

Kumar has his NY Dosa cart near Washington Park in downtown Manhattan and is popular with university students and professors. He claims tour guides in two score countries list his cart as a must New York experience.

He began his cart business six years ago and is proud to offer vegan fare, eschewing ghee or butter. He learned to cook in his native Sri Lanka, where his family owned a restaurant.

The Vendy Award event serves to show gratitude to the vendors who provide hurried New Yorkers, commuters and tourists with everything from morning coffee to meals, the organisers say.