So, you have decided you want to start a food truck. Awesome! But now what? Just like a traditional brick- and–mortar business, research and planning is essential for success. Being a food truck owner is just like being the owner of any other business- it won’t succeed by simply knowing how to cook and finding a truck to buy.  You have to understand the needs of your neighborhood, understand how to choose the right food truck, the importance of marketing your food truck business, and so much more.

What if it was possible to get information on the needs of the local market, details on selecting the right truck for your specific needs and budget, the best connections for sorting the insurance needs you will have for your new truck, a plan for successfully marketing your individual truck in order to reach your optimal audience, and so much more…all in one place? Our Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally Starting a food truck seminar does just that…and more! 

Looking to start a food truck business? Many people look to start a business don't get the necessary help they need because it simply doesn’t exist for some industries. Fortunately it does for the food truck industry, we've been doing this for a while and we have helped dozens of people get into business and others evaluate if they should move forward with their concept. If you are on the fence or have purchased a truck and need a little guidance we can help. Check out our seminar!

What's it like to attend a food truck rally? Below we’ll cover everything you need to know to enjoy your visit!

Come prepared: While most trucks accept credit and debit cards, we recommend bringing some cash in case it's needed for parking, or in the rare event that technology fails us and the trucks are not able to accept plastic (we will admit there are only a few events nowadays where trucks aren't allowed to accept debit and credit cards).  

Check which food trucks will be on site in advance. If you want to plan ahead, check our events calendar for alisting of food trucks that will be on site at that particular event. You can even peruse their sample menu to get an idea of what dishes you would like to try, and pricing prior to arrival. (Menus at each event are subject to change!)outdoors. Depending on the event, you will be standing and milling about where the trucks are parked, seated (potentially on grass) or at tables. Dress comfortably and appropriately for the weather and the venue, and during the summer it may help to bring a hat and sunscreen. If you know the rally is taking place in a park, such as our monthly downtown Lakeland Rally, feel free to bring a beach chair or blanket to enjoy your meal picnic-style. While most events will continue rain or shine, the food trucks are almost always parked. more than just food! Whether it be live music, a 5k, a Tampa Bay Lightning watch party, a fundraiser for a school, the food truck events are set up for you to be entertained and to enjoy yourself. Your best bet is to plan on attending events that align with your interests.

Cuisine Decoder Crepes 

While most foods are either savory or sweet, and assumed to be either a breakfast, dinner, or dessert item, Crepes are the incredibly dynamic exception. You can find crepes for breakfast, dinner, and dessert. The biggest differentiation is the fillings served with scrumptious batter.

A crepe is simply made by pouring a very thin liquid batter onto a lightly buttered flat scorching surface. It is essential for the batter to be spread evenly and very thinly to ensure proper consistency. If the batter is too thick or the pan is too hot, the crepe could tear or become lumpy. Crepes are famous for their consistency, and for being served with fillings, so exquisite lumps need to be left with the ladies.

A crepe’s versatility is due largely in part to the variety of fillings that can be used. Remember that scene from Forrest Gump where they talk about the 927 different variations of shrimp, it’s kind of like that. Crepes can be served with sweet filings for breakfast or dessert, and savory for lunch and dinner. Sweet fillings can be sliced fruits or fruit spreads, custard, chocolate, or hazelnut and topped with powdered sugar, syrup, or whipped cream. Savory fillings can be anything from meats such as ham, cheese, egg, and mushrooms. Normally, the fillings are added to the center and served with the edges folded partially over the center.

While crepes come in all kinds of varieties, and can be served in countless different ways, one of the most famous crepe dishes is the Crepe Suzette. The Crepe Suzette is a dessert of French origin that is a freshly cooked crepe with sugar and Grand Marnier liqueur. The liqueur is ignited, making the alcohol evaporate L and leaving behind a thick, delicious caramelized sauce J. In restaurants, it‘s often prepared in front of the guests for a bit of excitement before indulging in the dessert.

The next time you are at a food truck rally in Tampa Bay and happen past the Krepelicious Crepe truck, remember it doesn’t matter whether you are in the mood for breakfast, dinner, or dessert…you can always be in the mood for a crepe!

One of the fastest growing cuisines in popularity is from a large country south of the Equator- Brazil. Brazil is a country that boasts both a very large land mass and a large variety of different cultures. Japanese, Arabs, Germans, and Italians have all contributed their own style of cooking to Brazilian cuisine. While many cultures have contributed different food specialties, the arrival of the Portuguese in the 1500’s has had some of the strongest influences. The Portuguese brought with them citrus fruits, sugar and many sweets that are still staples in Brazilian desserts and holiday dishes. Brazilian dishes also highlight eggs, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves, parsley, and garlic.

Brazil’s tropical and sub-tropical climates are conducive to the growth of a wide variety of fresh fruits and root vegetables. Fruits such as mangoes, papayas, guavas, granadillas, and pineapples are frequently used in both sweet and savory cooking. In addition to fruits and vegetables, many dishes use rice or beans as a staple ingredient- particularly since they are widely available and filling. Common meats include beef, pork, and different kinds of fish and seafood.

Two of Brazil’s most popular dishes are Feijoada and Caruru. Feijoada considered the country’s natural dish and is made with beans and fresh pork or beef. It is generally prepared with kidney beans, along with other vegetables such as tomatoes, carrots, and cabbage. The stew is usually prepared over low heat in a think clay pot and is served with rice and assorted sausages. A second popular dish is Caruru. Caruru consists of okra, onion, dried shrimp, palm oil and toasted nuts. It is cooked with palm oil until a spread-like consistency is reached.

While Brazil cuisine has several common dishes, one of the most popular to make its way to America is churrasco, or a barbecue originated in southern Brazil. It uses a variety of meats, pork, sausage, and chicken. The meat is cooked on a purpose-built barbecue grill that supports spits or skewers. It is common for the meat to be served straight from these skewers at the table in Brazilian restaurants.

If you are interested in flavorful meat and dishes that will leave you feeling full and your taste buds very happy, then keep an eye out or order catering from our Brazilian Steak Chef Cesar and his food truck Open Fire Brazilian. A taste that can’t be beat!

So, you have decided you want to start a food truck. Awesome! But now what? Just like a traditional brick- and–mortar business, research and planning is essential for success. Being a food truck owner is just like being the owner of any other business- it won’t succeed by simply knowing how to cook and finding a truck to buy.  You have to understand the needs of your neighborhood, understand how to choose the right food truck, the importance of marketing your food truck business, and so much more.

What if it was possible to get information on the needs of the local market, details on selecting the right truck for your specific needs and budget, the best connections for sorting the insurance needs you will have for your new truck, a plan for successfully marketing your individual truck in order to reach your optimal audience, and so much more…all in one place? Our Tampa Bay Food Trucks new truck seminar does just that…and more!

The Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally seminars are designed to inspire, inform, and educate potential entrepreneurs in regards to what it takes to not only start, but also run and maintain a successful food truck. Understanding the importance of the choices you make along your journey to entrepreneurship, what regulations typically exist in the industry, and the importance of the way you position yourself and your business for success before you even have your first customer.

Our spring seminar is THIS Sunday, April 19^th from 5-9pm (if you're reading this blog after this date - don't fret! We offer the seminar every 6 weeks). You can register online for the seminar in order to secure one of the very limited spots that are still available. The seminar is streamed online so that anyone who is interested can attend from anywhere in the world, and will have the opportunity to interact just as if they were in the room (unfortunately though, online participants will not be able to take part in the dinner that is included for in-person attendees).  No question will remain unanswered by the end of this seminar- regardless if you are an online or in person attendee.

Regardless, if you just started thinking about food truck ownership yesterday, or have started taking the first few steps, this seminar is for you. Be sure to register today! If you have any questions, you can contact grace@tbftr.com or call (813) 902-9119.