Meet the Teams of The Great Food Truck Race Season 18
Get to know all the vibrant food truck teams vying for victory and $50,000 on Food Network's hit competition.
The 18th season of The Great Food Truck Race on Food Network brings together diverse and passionate culinary crews, each ready to take on the nation’s premier mobile food contest for a shot at $50,000 and food truck fame. Hosted by Tyler Florence, the race travels across the United States, putting contestants through regional challenges, creative cook-offs, and intense sales competitions. Every team brings a story, a unique menu, and a dream of turning their food truck into the next big thing. Below, discover all the teams that shape this season’s drama, camaraderie, and delicious competition.
About The Great Food Truck Race
- Competition Format: Food truck teams take on culinary and business challenges in cities across America.
- Prize: The winning team earns $50,000 and nationwide recognition.
- Host: Tyler Florence returns as the lively, insightful host.
- Season Theme: Season 18 features a blend of newcomers with distinct backgrounds and ambitious culinary visions.
Season 18 Contestant Teams
This season boasts a dynamic range of food trucks, from soulful Southern fare to vibrant Mexican flavors, fusion menus, and plant-based twists. Each team is composed of chefs and entrepreneurs ready to serve up their best and win over diners nationwide.
| Team Name | Hometown | Cuisine/Style | Team Members | Notable Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boba Bros | San Diego, CA | Asian Fusion & Boba Teas | Kevin, Andy, Hugo | Friends turned business partners, dedicated to reimagining street food with bubble teas and fusion snacks. |
| La Cocinita | New Orleans, LA | Modern Mexican Street Food | Rachel, Mark, Celeste | Seasoned food truckers bringing bold Latin flavors and family-inspired recipes. |
| Soulful Smoke | Memphis, TN | Barbecue & Comfort Food | Derek, Tasha, Marcus | Barbecue devoted trio celebrating slow-cooked, soulful Southern classics. |
| The Fresh Squeeze | Portland, OR | Vegan & Plant-Based Fare | Jen, Casey, Li | Innovators specializing in eco-friendly, healthy plant-based cuisine with a colorful twist. |
| Mama’s Mofongo | Brooklyn, NY | Puerto Rican & Caribbean Fusion | Sofia, Julio, Carmen | Family team serving up authentic Caribbean comfort classics with a contemporary edge. |
| Sizzle & Roll | Austin, TX | Global Street Food | Tony, Alex, Mia | Dynamic trio inspired by food from around the world, blending innovative bites and bold flavors. |
| Grilled Cheezers | Chicago, IL | Cheese-Centric Comfort Fare | Sarah, Blake, Mike | Childhood friends on a mission to create the gooiest, cheesiest dishes, from melts to macs. |
Boba Bros
Boba Bros from San Diego transform the food truck scene with a playful approach to Asian fusion cuisine and signature boba teas. Founders Kevin, Andy, and Hugo blend their friendship and deep culinary roots to create a menu bursting with unexpected pairings and fresh ingredients. Together, they hope to popularize boba alongside fusion street snacks, making their food fun, accessible, and memorable.
- Specialties: Creative boba drinks, fusion bao, and Asian-inspired fries.
- Team Dynamic: Strong camaraderie and a playful spirit at the heart of their business philosophy.
La Cocinita
Representing New Orleans, La Cocinita dazzles with vibrant Mexican street food—think modern takes on tacos, quesadillas, and elote. Rachel, Mark, and Celeste are seasoned in the food truck world and base their menu on recipes passed down through generations, mixing heritage and contemporary flair. Their goal is to win over the South with authentic Latin flavors and infectious hospitality.
- Specialties: Birria tacos, carne asada quesadillas, flavorful salsas.
- Team Dynamic: Experienced food truckers with a family feel and a passion for their roots.
Soulful Smoke
From Memphis, Soulful Smoke channels the deep traditions of Southern barbecue, specializing in tender smoked meats, rich sides, and sauces made from scratch. Derek, Tasha, and Marcus share a love for honest, soulful food and the power of shared meals. Soulful Smoke celebrates both old-school techniques and lively competition.
- Specialties: Smoked ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, caramelized baked beans.
- Team Dynamic: United by family values and a dedication to all things barbecue.
The Fresh Squeeze
Hailing from Portland, The Fresh Squeeze is all about plant-based, eco-conscious cuisine. Jen, Casey, and Li bring innovation to every dish, transforming vegetables into bold, crave-worthy meals. Driven by a mission for sustainability, their truck features eco-friendly practices and energizing, nourishing flavors to convert even the biggest skeptics into plant-based fans.
- Specialties: Vegan grain bowls, chickpea burgers, fresh-pressed juices.
- Team Dynamic: Food activists who believe that great taste and sustainability go hand in hand.
Mama’s Mofongo
Brooklyn’s Mama’s Mofongo celebrates Puerto Rican and Caribbean flavors. Sofia, Julio, and Carmen—an energetic family trio—share recipes shaped by generations and infused with love. Their signature mofongo, hearty stews, and plantain-forward plates bring a sense of nostalgia and warmth to the race. Their goal is to serve up soulful food that honors their culture and excites the palate.
- Specialties: Classic mofongo, fried plantains, savory empanadas.
- Team Dynamic: A tight-knit family sharing island hospitality on wheels.
Sizzle & Roll
From Austin, Sizzle & Roll spotlights global street food—each dish is an adventure, borrowing flavors from Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Tony, Alex, and Mia blend diverse upbringings and culinary perspectives, offering an ever-rotating menu. Always up for a challenge, their motto is to keep things deliciously unpredictable.
- Specialties: Korean-style tacos, Japanese fried chicken, Cuban sandwiches.
- Team Dynamic: Eclectic, energetic, and fearless in the kitchen.
Grilled Cheezers
Chicago’s Grilled Cheezers uses the universal love of cheese to charm the public with gourmet comfort food. Sarah, Blake, and Mike grew up together and have mastered nostalgic dishes turned up a notch, from crispy melts to cheesy macs. Their food reminds diners of home but always comes with a cheezy twist.
- Specialties: Ultimate grilled cheeses, mac and cheese, cheese-loaded fries.
- Team Dynamic: Childhood friends dedicated to delicious comfort and contagious fun.
The Competition: Spirit, Strategy, and Surprises
This season’s format requires teams not just to cook, but to think on their feet with sales strategies, marketing, and fast problem-solving. Teams travel through culinary hotspots and food-loving cities, selling to locals and tourists alike, who often decide a team’s fate. Along the way, Tyler Florence throws in twists: regionally themed challenges, surprise ingredient requirements, and elimination rounds that test every crew’s resolve.
- Culinary Challenges: Expect competitions that spotlight local ingredients, food trends, and creative reinventions.
- Sales Tactics: Teams compete to see who can draw the largest crowds, craft irresistible menus, and adapt to unexpected hiccups.
- Elimination: Each episode, the team with the lowest sales is sent home—the pressure to outperform is always on.
Behind the Scenes: Meet the Host
Tyler Florence returns as host, providing mentorship, tough love, and comic relief throughout the journey. Florence—a Food Network star and celebrated restaurateur—guides teams through each city and challenge, offering insights on everything from flavor profiles to crowd engagement. His role is pivotal, encouraging growth and pushing teams to their culinary best.
What Makes Season 18 Unique?
- Diversity of Cuisine: This season is a melting pot of flavors, mirroring America’s expanding food truck culture.
- Inventive Menus: Expect bold menu ideas—think Asian-Mexican fusion, vegan twists on comfort foods, and Caribbean classics reborn.
- Passionate Competitors: The contestants are passionate about their heritage and determined to make a mark in the food world.
- Drama & Camaraderie: Rivalries, friendships, and personal stories add drama and heart to every episode.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many teams are competing in Season 18?
A: Seven skilled and diverse teams are contending for the top prize in Season 18.
Q: What is the grand prize and how is the winner decided?
A: The grand prize is $50,000. The winning team is decided based on performance in challenges, and, most importantly, their ability to outsell competitors each week.
Q: Are there special culinary themes or challenges this season?
A: Yes, challenges often incorporate local ingredients, city-specific food themes, and surprise twists that push teams to think outside the box.
Q: How can viewers watch The Great Food Truck Race Season 18?
A: Episodes air on Food Network and can also be found via Food Network’s streaming platforms with a valid TV provider login.
Q: What makes food trucks in this season stand out?
A: The contestants showcase diversity in flavors, a celebration of family and heritage, culinary creativity, and unbeatable passion for serving up inventive street food across America.
Tune In and Follow the Race
With surprise twists in every episode, fierce culinary showdowns, and the kind of food that keeps viewers hungry for more, The Great Food Truck Race Season 18 promises to be a feast for all food lovers. Don’t miss the chance to follow each team’s journey—from their unique backgrounds to the high-stakes finish line—and see who will drive away as the next food truck sensation.
