Food Network’s popular competition series “The Great Food Truck Race” is returning for its 19th season, bringing a fresh group of culinary entrepreneurs, new challenges, and a major twist that could change the way teams fight to stay in the competition. The new season officially premieres on July 26, with longtime host and celebrity chef Tyler Florence guiding eight food truck teams through a high-stakes journey filled with cooking battles, sales challenges, and unexpected obstacles as they compete for a $50,000 grand prize.
This season introduces a unique savory-versus-sweet concept, dividing the competitors into two different categories. Four teams will represent savory cuisine, while four others will focus on sweet creations, creating a diverse mix of flavors, business approaches, and culinary styles. According to Food Network, the teams will rely not only on their cooking abilities but also on their creativity, marketing strategies, and ability to attract customers in different cities along the route.
The 19th season begins in Nashville before traveling through the Great Smoky Mountains and continuing into several cities known for their strong food cultures. One of the major stops on the journey was Louisville, Kentucky, where the show filmed for the first time. Nearly three months after production arrived in Derby City, viewers will finally get the chance to see the Louisville episodes as part of the season’s larger adventure.
During filming in Louisville, the show’s host Tyler Florence, production crew, and the competing food trucks spent several days exploring local food locations and connecting with customers throughout the city. The teams sold their dishes at several well-known spots, including Market Street in the NuLu neighborhood, the backyard of Phalcha Coffee at 1001 Mary Street, and the area near the Louisville Slugger Museum at 800 West Main Street.
Each episode of the season will challenge the teams to prove they can succeed in the demanding world of food truck businesses. Contestants must prepare impressive dishes while also showing that they understand customer service, promotion, pricing, and sales techniques. The competition is designed to test whether the teams can operate as successful mobile restaurants under pressure.
For the first time in the history of “The Great Food Truck Race,” the series will introduce a new elimination format known as a “taste redemption battle.” Instead of immediately sending the lowest-performing team home, the bottom two teams on the leaderboard will face off in a final showdown. They will have one more opportunity to demonstrate their culinary skills and convince the judges that they deserve to continue. The team that fails the challenge will be eliminated from the race.
The new rule adds another level of intensity to the competition because even teams struggling during regular challenges will have a chance to recover. At the same time, it creates additional pressure for every group because a poor performance could place them directly in the elimination battle.
The season will eventually reach its finale at Churchill Downs in Louisville on September 6. In the final episode, the remaining teams will compete for the ultimate prize, with only one food truck earning the $50,000 championship reward. The historic racing venue will provide a dramatic backdrop for the conclusion of the season-long culinary journey.
The eight food truck teams competing in Season 19 represent different regions across the United States and bring a wide range of specialties to the race. Bug & Bear’s Cannoli from Los Angeles, California, features Joseph Serpico, Matthew Wilson, and Dina Pecci. The team behind Cason Funnel Cakes, based in Richmond, Virginia, includes Terrance Cason, Andre Cason, and Morris Green.
Deadproof Pizza Co. from Derry, New Hampshire, enters the competition with Thomas Lomanno, Dante Marino, and Lisa Bosteels. Grounds Donut House, representing the Bronx in New York, features Carmela Varotta, Gabriella Amoroso, and Stephanie Hill. Hele Rolls from Kapolei, Hawaii, is made up of Brittany Lopez, Jasmine Milam, and Mari Wills.
Jollof Bowl, based in Baltimore, Maryland, brings together Ethel Kamara, Andrea Kamara, and Lekan Oketunji. Stuph’d Beignets & Burgers from New Orleans, Louisiana, includes Dionne Lewis, Duana Lawrence, and Sherman Clarke. Waffadilla from Hampshire, Illinois, completes the lineup with Shawn Peterson, Madison Peterson, and Gavin Mari.
With a combination of new rules, competitive cooking challenges, and a wide variety of food concepts, the upcoming season promises to deliver one of the most unpredictable races yet. The teams will need to balance creativity with business skills as they travel from city to city, hoping to build a loyal customer base and secure their place in the competition.
“The Great Food Truck Race” Season 19 premieres July 26 at 9 p.m. ET on Food Network. New episodes will also be available for streaming the following day on HBO Max, allowing fans to follow the teams’ journey as they compete for the championship title and the $50,000 grand prize.
