If, as a Bostonian, you love our local food trucks as much as you love a healthy competition with New York City, you’re in luck. The second Food Truck Throwdown is rolling into the Greenway and settling down for a day’s worth of food, entertainment, and friendly competition on Saturday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nine Boston trucks will face off against nine New York trucks in a battle to win over the taste buds of judges and fans alike.
The first Food Truck Throwdown took place last October, when Sarah Ross, the owner of Kickass Cupcakes, came up with the idea to pit Boston and New York head to head for the coveted title of Best Food Truck. This time around, more trucks are involved (nine from each city compared to seven), and the event’s press coordinator, Mindy Harris, says fans can expect even more from the food truck festivity on Saturday.
“Basically, it’s going to be bigger and better,” says Harris. “We have some nice personalities with us this year, and we’re planning to accommodate more people. It should be a lot of fun.”
Harris says one of the most exciting changes to the event is its new partnership with Maker’s Mark. While there won’t be any bourbon on site (family friendly, people), look out for a hint of the Boston-based liquor in your snacks. One of the new judging categories is “Best of Maker’s Mark Bourbon,” and competing chefs will be concocting one recipe infused with whiskey, and then submitting it to the judging table.
This year, the best dishes will be selected by Toro’s chef Jamie Bissonnette, Boston Burger Blog’s Richard Chudy, Tom O’Keefe of BostonTweet, and local Sports Producer John Albanese. The event will also be hosted by Jenny Johnson of NECN and TV Diner.
Different from last year, which saw nine specific categories like Best Sweet Dish and Best Savory Dish in addition to best overall, these judges will be deciding on just three categories: Best of Boston, Best of New York, and Best of Makers Mark Bourbon. Their judging criteria will be based on taste (ten points), visual appeal and creativity (five points each).
This time, voters will decide which food truck will be crowned the king of the festival: each guest will be handed a ballot, and are encouraged to submit their choice before the judging begins at 3 p.m.
Of course, the throwdown will be attended by a dominantly Bostonian population–so is such a hometown advantage fair for these New York trucks? Harris believes there is an advantage, but admits that last year, New York did win a good number of awards.
“People are loyal to Boston, but New York has great trucks,” says Harris, adding that New York’s Nuchas Empanadas was one of the more popular spots last year. “I don’t think it’s too unfair of an advantage. The judges are judging food.” Harris also said that they are currently working to take the throwdown to New York’s concrete turf in the coming future.
The team behind the throwdown has also come up with a way to help dedicated foodies to get the most out of their day. VIP Experience passes are available for $65 on Eventbrite, and pass holders will get access to express lanes (lines for the trucks get long, so expect a wait without one), as well as tastings from five trucks of their choice. Regular admission is free, but food will be charged at the trucks’ regular rates.
So, if truck-crafted dishes and friendly competition with New York is right up your alley, the Food Truck Throwdown will be going down this Saturday, May 4, on The Greenway between State and India Streets for ten hours of the best of Boston and New York’s mobile eateries. For more information about the event, head to their website.
