[projekktor id=’11675′]

(Updated)

Hamilton’s annual food truck festival hosted a taste test Wednesday afternoon.

Sew Hungry has become so popular, it received almost twice as many applicants as it can hold this year. So today, rookie trucks had a chance to show judges why they deserve a spot on Ottawa St.

These food trucks pulled out all the stops today, and they had to. The Ottawa Street Business Improvement Area received applications from as far as Toronto, Kitchener, Niagara, offering up all kinds of delicious eats.

Mmms and ahhs were the soundtrack of the afternoon as hopeful food trucks served up their best spread for a panel of hungry judges.

“Pear, bacon, goat cheese, drizzled with honey.”

52 trucks applied for a spot at Ottawa Street’s annual Sew Hungry festival. Only 30 will make the cut. A big improvement from the festival’s debut season. Patty Hayes from the Ottawa Street BIA remembers. “When we first started this event we begged nine trucks to join us.”

Sew Hungry judge Sid Friedman admits: “it’s gonna be hard to decide who’s gonna get into Sew Hungry this year.”

Today’s plates ranged from funnel cakes to perogies, gelato to tacos.

Last year’s festival attracted 30,000 food lovers, injecting $800,000 into Hamilton’s economy.

Christopher Kim of West of Seoul knows why. “It’s just one of the best organized food truck events in Ontario and probably Canada.”

Would-be vendors are eager to learn whether their score earns them a coveted spot on the Sew Hungry strip. Veteran Mike Pitton knows why. “It was fantastic, so obviously really excited to get into sew hungry again this year.”

But with dozens of trucks to choose from, only half will make the cut.

The judges are planning to meet again on Friday to review their scores and whittle down a list of finalists. Only rookie trucks had to present their food today, but they’ll be judged against returning applicants. Sew Hungry takes place on May 2nd, so the top 30 will have a few months to prepare; and they’ll need to.