NEW YORK (AP) – For Thiru “The Dosa Man” Kumar, the third time is the charm.

Kumar, who runs NY Dosa, a vegan food cart in Manhattan, won the third annual Vendy Award, bestowed upon 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 on Saturday night.

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 in Manhattan’s Tompkins Square Park.

Kumar, who has run his cart at the same spot for about six years, said he learned how to cook in his native Sri Lanka, where his family owned a restaurant.

Kumar, who operates his cart at Washington Square Park South and Sullivan Street, beat out four other finalists: Veronica Julien from Veronica’s Kitchen at Front and Pine streets in Manhattan; Muhammed Rahman from Kwik Meal; the 10-member crew at Super Taco at 96th Street and Broadway in Manhattan; and Farez “Freddy” Zeideia of The King of Falafel and Shawarma at 30th Street and Broadway in Queens.

A People’s Choice Award was given to Rahman.

AP-ES-09-30-07 1740EDT