Houston team competes in ‘Great Food Truck Race’
Texas will be represented by three Houstonians on the new, six-episode season of Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race” beginning March 7.
D’Ambria Jacobs, Nadia Ahmed and Misti Buard banded together as Team Tasty Balls — named for their menu of handmade pastry balls filled with ingredients such as macaroni and cheese, pulled pork and seafood — which is among seven teams in the competition set in Alaska. The teams will be put through a series of challenges to win a $50,000 grand prize. Hosted by chef and cookbook author Tyler Florence, the show will feature aspiring food-truck owners faced with challenges set against Alaskan cold, winds and short daylight hours.
Jacobs owns a catering company, Sophisticated Delights; Ahmed is the chef-owner of Green
Roots Kitchen; and Buard is the owner of Brand Appetit, a mobile food-truck and beverage business.
Buard, also known as the “Food Truck Lady,” recently was awarded a $10,000 grant from Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD BlackOwned Small Business Impact Fund, a partnership with the NAACP to provide assistance to small businesses. Her Brand Appetit has expanded to include the Pedal Pleasure Bike, a BYO bicycle that is decorated with two taps to serve wine, champagne and cocktails. The bike cart can be used at wedding showers and receptions, picnics and backyard parties.
“I plan to continue expanding my business with the $10,000 grant,” Buard said. “I am working hard to market my company and build awareness for Brand Appetit while also investing in another bike cart.”