Are you curious about Who Won The Food Truck Race? FOODS.EDU.VN dives deep into the popular Food Network show, revealing all the victorious teams and their unique culinary journeys. We provide a comprehensive overview of past champions, their winning strategies, and their signature dishes. Discover the secrets to their success and explore the exciting world of mobile culinary competitions!
1. What Is The Great Food Truck Race All About?
The Great Food Truck Race is a reality TV show on the Food Network where teams of food truck owners (or aspiring owners) compete in a cross-country race. The goal? To sell the most food and outmaneuver their rivals to win a grand cash prize. It’s a thrilling combination of culinary skill, business savvy, and strategic gameplay. Since its premiere in 2010, the show has captivated audiences with its high-stakes challenges and diverse culinary offerings.
Beyond excellent cooking, teams need to demonstrate patience, teamwork, business strategy, savvy driving, and adaptability to unexpected challenges thrown by host Tyler Florence.
2. Grill ‘Em All: Season 1 Winners
Who was the first to grab the title in The Great Food Truck Race? Grill ‘Em All, a trio of metalheads named Ryan, Matt, and Joel, took home the grand prize. This team began their journey in San Diego and ended in New York, specializing in “monster hamburgers” known as The Hatchet and the Behemoth. Their culinary expertise shone brightest in Texas, where they conquered a butcher challenge, and in Tennessee, where their five-course meal at a truck stop earned them top honors.
Despite facing tough competition from Nom Nom Truck, who consistently raked in the most money each week, Grill ‘Em All saved their best for last, finally outselling Nom Nom Truck during the intense New York finale.
3. The Lime Truck: Season 2 Winners
Who claimed victory in Season 2 of The Great Food Truck Race? The Lime Truck, comprised of Daniel, Jason, and Jesse, is considered one of the best teams in the show’s history. Starting in Las Vegas and ending in Miami, this team focused on using fresh, local ingredients from each geographic area to create unique menu items from city to city.
The Lime Truck’s seamless operation and go-getter attitude helped them earn the most money during the first and third weeks of the race. They also won a truck stop challenge in Denver by foraging for mushrooms and creating a unique dish, and they clinched the final truck stop challenge in Miami by catching a fish and preparing it in just one hour. Despite a late surge from runner-up Hodge Podge, The Lime Truck proved too strong to beat.
4. Seoul Sausage: Season 3 Winners
Who dominated the competition in Season 3 of The Great Food Truck Race? Seoul Sausage, with their tasty kimchi-fried riceballs and Korean-style sausages, blew away the competition. They earned the most money on the road for their cuisine five out of seven weeks, including three consecutive victories during the first three episodes.
Ted, Yong, and their friend Chris started in Los Angeles and finished in Maine, winning a truck stop challenge in Texas by serving up top-tier baseball park cuisine in which their delectable sausages hit a major home run. With an extremely shrewd marketing plan and efficient operation, Seoul Sausage is one of the most dominant winners of all.
5. Aloha Plate: Season 4 Winners
Who emerged victorious in Season 4 of The Great Food Truck Race? Hawaiian brothers Adam and Lanai joined their friend Shawn to create Aloha Plate, a truck specializing in delicious Hawaiian cuisine. After a slow start that saw them lose money for illegal parking in Idaho, the team finished strong, scoring first-place earnings over four of the final five weeks of the race.
On a map that spanned from California to Washington, D.C., Aloha Plate did not win a single challenge of any kind until the final week. Their triumphant effort in catching their own crab and creating a local dish off the coast of Maryland added a key $1,500 to their till and launched them to the winner’s circle.
6. The Middle Feast: Season 5 Winners
Who took home the top prize in Season 5 of The Great Food Truck Race? Israeli transplants Tommy, his sister Hilla, and friend Arkadi boasted the punny name The Middle Feast due to their classic falafel and shwarma dishes. After a slow start, the truck rallied to score three straight truck stop runner-up positions. Their biggest highlight came in Oklahoma when they outsold the other trucks when forced to make beef onion burgers.
Once they hit the Deep South, The Middle Feast really took a stronghold on their foes. They earned a whopping $10,000 in Alabama in the penultimate week before serving award-winning alligator and frog legs in Key West during the finale.
7. Pho-Nomenal Dumplings: Season 6 Winners
Who conquered the competition in Season 6 of The Great Food Truck Race? Aside from their great team name, Pho-Nomenal Dumplings boasts Asian fusion cuisine such as corndog Bahn mi and Tawainese pork dumplings. Comprised of chefs Becca, Sunny, and Sophia, the team struggled mightily out of the gate and were often outpaced by the formidable Waffle Love truck.
Fortunately, the team found its stride in Texas, where they showed off their versatility and won a steakhouse truck stop challenge that added money to their till and gave them growing confidence to finish strong. That they did in Chicago where they won the final truck stop challenge by serving three winning dishes of chicken, beef, and pork.
8. Grilled Cheese All-Stars: Season 7 Winners
Who emerged as the champions in Season 7 of The Great Food Truck Race? In the truncated family feud edition of the show, brothers Michael and Charlie united with their pal Bryce to parlay their French cheesemaking skills into a grand success. The worldly dairy enthusiasts started slow but picked up the pace in the final two weeks to win the race.
Traveling up and down California, the All-Stars lagged behind after finishing in 4th and 3rd place in weeks 2 and 3, putting their time on the show in jeopardy. Luckily, their luck changed in Palm Springs when they won a desert challenge after wisely purchasing chocolate, leading to an epic showdown on Catalina Island with Carretto Siciliano. Grilled Cheese All-Stars won by a mere $227.
9. Braised In The South: Season 8 Winners
Who triumphed in Season 8 of The Great Food Truck Race? With Cajun-infused cuisines like BBQ shrimp tacos and chicken “tatchos,” pals Nick, Brandon, and Steven more or less dominated in their food truck Braised in the South. During the six-week race, the team scored four-first place and one second-place finish. Even in their lowly 5th-place finish, they were the only team to win the till money.
While they performed well all season, the team kicked it into high gear in the final week, where they won both challenges running away in Georgia. The final triumph for the team included cooking dishes using shrimp, scallops, and clams, ingredients they were more than comfortable with.
10. Just Wing It: Season 9 Winners
Who surprisingly took home the gold in Season 9 of The Great Food Truck Race? Somehow, Worst Cooks in America contestants Kevin, Sharon, and Steven created a food truck called Just Wing It that actually took home the gold. Some last-minute heroics were needed in the Wild West-themed season after stumbling with three straight 4th-place finishes.
Despite specializing in chicken wings, Just Wing It found its greatest success in a challenge requiring them to peel dates and create a dish with them. After winning that challenge, they followed suit in the final week by winning a habanero dish challenge that led to two first-place finishes in the final two weeks. Just Wing It won by improving each and every week.
11. NOLA Creations: Season 10 Winners
Who emerged as the champions in Season 10 of The Great Food Truck Race? With authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine, NOLA Creations specialize in gumbo, jambalaya, fried catfish, and the like. Darrell, his wife Anna, and sous chef Terrell started strong, hit a rough patch in the middle of the race, and rebounded to take home the grand prize.
After winning the first two weeks of the race in impressive fashion, NOLA fell back to Earth in Florida where they finished 6th and 4th. However, by serving superior “Risky Road Trip” burgers in week 6, and spiny lobster and key lime pie in the finale, NOLA sealed the deal by just 9 total orders over rival truck Brunch Babes.
12. Big Stuff: Season 11 Winners
Who won the holiday edition of Season 11 of The Great Food Truck Race? The 4-week Holiday edition of Season 11 saw Big Stuff, a Colorado food truck specializing in stuffed foods, win the ultimate prize over four other competitors. After being left in the dust the first two weeks, Brad, Eddie, and Mike won four of the five overall challenges to narrowly defeat Lia’s Lumpia.
Big Stuff excelled most at selling fig pudding, making a holiday-inspired sweet potato dish, and finally, by making a holiday-themed lobster dish that required them to go out of their comfort zone of stuffing food.
13. Mystikka Masala: Season 12 Winners
Who made history by winning Season 12 of The Great Food Truck Race? Boasting Indian Tex-Mex fusion, Mystikka Masala made history by becoming the first drag queen food truck to win. Dallas natives Andrew, Sarah, and Navin were a factor during every week of the race before besting the Lunch Ladies in the end.
With three second-place finishes, and two first-place finishes over the course of six weeks, Mystikka Masala’s biggest moments came in the finale, where they won three consecutive challenges by making sweet and savory wine dishes, swapping trucks with Lunch Ladies to make their signature chicken wraps, and creating two deserts out of tiramisu.
14. Tasty Balls: Season 14 Winners
Who triumphed in the harsh winter conditions of Season 14 of The Great Food Truck Race? Houston-based food truck Tasty Balls serves spherical-shaped foods comprised of all kinds of ingredients. Team members Nadia, Misti, and D’Ambria seemed to be a gimmick with no shot of winning for the first three weeks but turned their fortunes around by mid-season.
Facing harsh winter weather in Alaska, Tasty Balls’ biggest triumph came in Seward during week 4, where they earned the most money and finished first place by making a winning dish out of Dungeness crab. In the end, Tasty Balls served a hearty moose meat dish that put them over the top.
15. The Lime Truck: All-Stars Season 15 Winners (2021)
Who won the intense battle in the All-Stars Season 15 of The Great Food Truck Race? During the one and only All-Star edition of The Great Food Truck Race, the most intense battle between former winners The Lime Truck and Seoul Sausage provided the greatest competitive drama in show history. When the dust settled, The Lime Truck emerged victoriously.
One of the smartest things The Lime Truck did to win was price their entire menu for customers to sample, something that drew harsh criticism from Seoul Sausage. It worked to the tune of earning over $7,600 in the penultimate episode, with The Lime Truck using the past decade of experience since Season 2 to best the others.
The Lime Truck reigned supreme in season 2. They also won the all-stars season (season 15). The latter victory happened in 2021. The Lime Truck’s talented chefs have it together. They know how to deliver short-order grub that hits the target. In season 2, The Lime Truck’s chefs were Daniel Shemtob, Jason Quinn, and Jesse Brockman. In season 15, Daniel was joined by Mark Esposito and Jesse Brockman.
16. The Easy Vegan: Season 16 Winners (2022)
Who emerged as the champions of Season 16 with their plant-based cuisine? At Instagram, @theeasyvegandenver reminisced about their season 16 win – it couldn’t have happened to nicer people. Since they prepare vegan foods that are kind to animals and the environment, they are a warmhearted addition to this list of The Great Food Truck winners. Based in Colorado, the pop-up kitchen/food truck is still thriving in 2024. In the post above, they’re looking back, but they are also enjoying the moment.
In The Easy Vegan‘s Instagram bio, the team identifies as queer, so they also spread love by promoting inclusivity. This postmodern food truck squad is all about great values, but there’s more to them than idealism and corresponding action. They’re also wicked cooks. In 2024, they’re showing off some superb fare at IG, including Sourdough Blueberry Scones, cinnamon rolls, farmer’s market grits and a Pride-perfect
“super gay banana pudding,”
(as per The Easy Vegan at IG).
So, how did the team win season 16? Well, with panache. While they aren’t the first vegan food truck to win the show (Señoreata did it first), they created the sorts of dishes that anyone could love, vegan or not.
The team consists of Taylor Herbert, Alexi Mandolini, and Matt Heikkila. Taylor and Alexi are romantic partners. During The Great Food Truck Race season 16, The Easy Vegan impressed with pink tacos. In a previous challenge, they created their own version of a competitor’s Butter Chicken, turning it into a vegan dish.
Vegan food can be shockingly delicious. Even the most dedicated carnivores will benefit from eating more plant-based foods, and they don’t need to sacrifice flavor. A vegan diet can lower blood pressure, help with weight loss, and contribute to better heart health.
17. The Great Food Truck Race Season 17: Still In Progress (2024)
Who will win this Gulf Coast installment of The Great Food Truck Race? As of July 2024, The Great Food Truck Race season 17 is in full swing. The newest season doesn’t have a winner yet. Set in the Gulf Coast, it unites teams from Texas, Miami and beyond.
Tyler Florence is back to host the 17th installment.
The season premiered on June 30, 2024. As of July 8, 2024, Google has provided information about four episodes, including the aforementioned premiere episode. The first episode is called Games On The Gulf: Let The Games Begin. Episode 2 became available on July 7, and it’s called Games On The Gulf: Justin’s Time. The third episode will air on July 14, 2024 (Games On The Gulf: Pirates’ Booty). On July 27, episode four, Games On The Gulf: Highway Robbery, will become available.
As per Food Network, nine teams are competing in the ongoing season. They are:
- Argentina’s Empanadas – Wichita, Kansas
- Bao Bei – Washington DC
- Cooks with Passion – Atlanta, Georgia
- Down to Get Tacos – Gilbert, Arizona
- Fishnet – Baltimore, Maryland
- Kalye – New York, New York
- Plates on Deck – Lakeland, Florida
- SOLA Po’Boys – Los Angeles, California
- Wally’s Waffles – Chicago, Illinois
Watch The Great Food Truck Race Season 17 on The Food Network, Discovery+ and the Amazon Channel (via Discovery+).
18. The Great Food Truck Race: A Closer Look
Want to know more about The Great Food Truck Race? Here are some frequently asked questions about the show:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the premise of the show? | Teams of food truck owners compete in a cross-country race, selling food and completing challenges to win a cash prize. |
| Who is the host of The Great Food Truck Race? | Tyler Florence. |
| How many seasons of the show have there been? | As of July 2024, there have been 17 seasons of The Great Food Truck Race. |
| What types of challenges do the teams face? | Challenges vary from week to week and can include cooking competitions, marketing tasks, and navigation challenges. |
| What is the grand prize for winning the show? | The winning team receives a cash prize, typically around $50,000. |
| Where does The Great Food Truck Race typically take place? | The race takes place across various cities and states in the United States, with teams traveling to different locations each week. |
| What are some popular dishes featured on the show? | The show features a wide variety of cuisines, from classic American comfort food to international flavors. Popular dishes include gourmet burgers, tacos, dumplings, and vegan creations. |
| What makes a team successful on The Great Food Truck Race? | Successful teams possess strong culinary skills, effective marketing strategies, excellent teamwork, and the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges. |
| Has there ever been an All-Stars season of The Great Food Truck Race? | Yes, Season 15 was an All-Stars edition featuring past winners competing against each other. |
| Where can I watch The Great Food Truck Race? | You can watch The Great Food Truck Race on The Food Network, Discovery+, and the Amazon Channel (via Discovery+). |
19. Food Truck Industry Insights
The food truck industry has exploded in recent years, offering aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs a more accessible entry point into the culinary world. According to a report by IBISWorld, the U.S. food truck industry generated $1.2 billion in revenue in 2023. This growth is fueled by factors such as increasing consumer demand for diverse and convenient food options, as well as lower startup costs compared to traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants.
19.1. Key Trends in the Food Truck Industry
| Trend | Description |
|---|---|
| Gourmet and Specialty Food | Food trucks are increasingly focusing on offering high-quality, gourmet dishes that cater to specific tastes and dietary needs. |
| Vegan and Vegetarian Options | With the growing popularity of plant-based diets, many food trucks are now offering vegan and vegetarian options to appeal to a wider customer base. |
| Technology Integration | Food trucks are leveraging technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experience, using online ordering, mobile payment systems, and social media marketing. |
| Sustainable Practices | Many food truck owners are adopting sustainable practices, such as using eco-friendly packaging, sourcing local ingredients, and minimizing waste. |
| Unique Dining Experiences | Food trucks are creating unique dining experiences by partnering with local breweries, hosting pop-up events, and offering interactive menu options. |
19.2. Challenges in the Food Truck Industry
Despite its growth, the food truck industry also faces several challenges. These include:
- Regulations and Permits: Navigating complex local regulations and obtaining the necessary permits can be a significant hurdle for food truck owners.
- Competition: The increasing number of food trucks on the road has led to greater competition for prime locations and customers.
- Seasonality: Food truck businesses can be affected by seasonality, with slower sales during colder months or inclement weather.
- Maintenance and Repairs: Maintaining a food truck in good working condition requires ongoing maintenance and repairs, which can be costly.
- Location Restrictions: Many cities have restrictions on where food trucks can operate, limiting their ability to reach potential customers.
20. What Makes a Winning Food Truck Concept?
The winners of The Great Food Truck Race demonstrate several key elements of a successful food truck concept. These include:
- Unique and Memorable Brand: A catchy name, eye-catching design, and distinctive menu help a food truck stand out from the competition.
- High-Quality Food: Offering delicious, well-prepared food is essential for attracting and retaining customers.
- Efficient Operations: Streamlined processes for food preparation, order taking, and customer service ensure smooth and efficient operations.
- Effective Marketing: Using social media, local events, and partnerships to promote the food truck and reach potential customers.
- Adaptability: Being able to adjust the menu, location, and marketing strategies based on customer feedback and market trends is crucial for long-term success.
21. The Impact of The Great Food Truck Race on the Food Truck Industry
The Great Food Truck Race has played a significant role in raising the profile of the food truck industry and inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs. The show has showcased the creativity, passion, and hard work of food truck owners, while also highlighting the challenges and rewards of running a mobile culinary business.
The show has also helped to popularize food truck culture, with viewers becoming more aware of the diverse and delicious food options available from mobile vendors. This increased awareness has contributed to the growth of the food truck industry and the rise of food truck festivals and events across the country.
22. Want to Start Your Own Food Truck Business?
Are you feeling inspired by the success stories from The Great Food Truck Race? Starting a food truck business can be a rewarding venture, but it requires careful planning, dedication, and a passion for food. Here are some steps to get you started:
- Develop a Business Plan: Create a detailed business plan that outlines your concept, target market, menu, pricing, and financial projections.
- Secure Funding: Explore funding options such as loans, grants, and investors to cover startup costs.
- Obtain Permits and Licenses: Research and obtain the necessary permits and licenses required to operate a food truck in your desired location.
- Purchase or Lease a Food Truck: Decide whether to purchase a new or used food truck or lease one from a rental company.
- Design Your Menu: Create a menu that features unique and delicious dishes that appeal to your target market.
- Source Ingredients: Establish relationships with reliable suppliers to ensure a consistent supply of high-quality ingredients.
- Hire Staff: Recruit and train a team of skilled and dedicated employees to help you run your food truck.
- Market Your Business: Develop a marketing strategy that utilizes social media, local events, and partnerships to promote your food truck.
- Launch Your Food Truck: Plan a grand opening event to introduce your food truck to the community and attract your first customers.
- Continuously Improve: Monitor customer feedback, track sales data, and make adjustments to your menu, service, and marketing strategies to continuously improve your business.
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Sources: The Lime Truck/Instagram, Food Network, @theeasyvegandenver/Instagram, The Easy Vegan/Instagram
