THIS WEEK’S COOKING HIGHLIGHTS
‘Food Truck Race’ starts historic season of competition
After 15 seasons, “The Great Food Truck
Race” is ready for a shakeup. With eight new episodes and higher-than-ever stakes, this special edition series will — for the first time — pit returning champions and industry professionals against some very talented up-and-coming rookies from across the country — all food truck novices. Their toughest challenge yet, “The Great Food Truck Race: David vs. Goliath,” premieres Sunday, June 18, on Food Network.
Representing cuisines from all over the world — from Jamaican tacos and Pakistani street foods to elevated vegan dishes — this season’s chefs hail from pop-ups, specialty spots and traditional restaurant kitchens alike, each prepared to face some of “TGFTR’s” toughest food-truckers yet.
“Tyler welcomes the nine teams to Los Angeles, where the food truck business is booming and cutthroat,” shared Food Network in a sneak peek of the season’s first episode. “With five talented rookie teams who have never owned or operated a food truck and four teams of seasoned pros, this ‘David vs. Goliath’ battle gives each business the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to establish themselves in the country’s food truck capital.”
They go on to explain that: “For the first challenge, the teams must make a jaw-dropping dish that not only defines them as a business – but also demonstrates they are ready to compete at a high culinary level.” From there, the teams “hit the baseball field to serve Little League players and their families,” joined by Mookie Betts of the L.A. Dodgers.
As the season continues, the teams will be asked to make dishes inspired by the menus at chef Antonia Lofaso’s well-known L.A.-based restaurants (Black Market Liquor Bar, DAMA and Scopa Italian Roots) and create masterpieces delicious enough to satisfy guest judges, chefs Jet Tila and Joe Sasto, along with last season’s winner, Señoreata’s Evanice Holz. Outside of the kitchen, the chefs must put their business savvy to the test, drawing crowds through social media and exercising their best and most effective selling techniques.