Meet the Food Truck Teams from Season 8

Seven teams of food truck novices are slicing, dicing and deep-frying their way from New Orleans to Savannah in hopes of winning the $50,000 grand prize.

Photo By: Claudio Beier

Photo By: Matt Marriott

Photo By: Claudio Beier

Photo By: Matt Marriott

Photo By: Claudio Beier

New Season. New Trucks. New Stakes.

Meet the food truck teams who are driving up to the challenge of cooking and selling their dishes each week, with the least successful heading home.

Braised in the South - Charleston, SC

Nick Hunter, Steven Klatt and Brandon Lapp met while working the line in the same restaurant years ago. With Steven and Brandon in the kitchen and Nick bringing in the customers, they're ready to turn their experience in fine dining into approachable dishes like BBQ Shrimp Tacos, Cajun Chicken “Tatchos” and Andouille Mac and Cheese.

The Breakfast Club - Philadelphia

Mikey Robins isn’t your typical 19-year-old. He’s been cooking since he could reach the stove and already owns and operates a high-end event planning and catering consulting firm. His best friends Taylor and Ashanti are also a force to be reckoned with, and Mikey hopes their competitive spirit leads them to the finish line. Their brunch-on-the-go menu includes Chicken and Waffles, Breakfast Quesadillas and Eggs Benedict Sliders.

Mr. Po’ Boys - Dallas

Cedric McCoy and Ryan Thompson met in culinary school and even though they are polar opposites, became fast friends and business partners. Their food booth at the Dallas Farmer’s Market is popular and lively, especially when these two sing loudly to relieve stress. Culinary school graduate Esther Torres joins them on the race to create unique, hand-crafted Po’ Boy sandwiches that take the road by storm.

Papi Chulo’s Empanadas - Cherry Hill, NJ

Luis Lara Polanco grew up in the Dominican Republic and began working in U.S. kitchens in the 1990s. His early years of poverty fed his desire to cook for people and with his boundless energy, he and his wife opened up their first restaurant in 1999. With his daughter Carleena Lara-Bregatta and niece Sarah Hasbun at his side for the race, Luis is ready to bring the Empanada, a Dominican staple, to the streets with his unique flair.

The Southern Frenchie - Little Rock, AR

Donnie Ferneau is a well-known chef in Little Rock who owned a successful restaurant for almost 10 years, but had a rocky tenure with a health food spot that put him in debt. He’s now ready to take his award-winning culinary skills on the road for a big comeback. Joined by his wife Meaghan and sous chef Amanda Ivy, Donnie’s truck delivers signature dishes like Southern Fried Chicken, Pimento Grilled Cheese and Southern Poutine.

Stick ‘Em Up - Rogersville, TN

Shona House and her sons Justin and Landon serve delicious bites on a stick. Cooking and baking helped Shona get through her husband’s death six years ago, when her catering business became an overnight success and helped pay for her sons' college educations. Now the boys are her favorite sous chefs, taking their Chicken & Biscuits, Lo Country Boil and Tornado Dogs on the road to feed the masses.

Wicked Good Seafood - Falmouth, MA

Food-obsessed best friends Bill Henrique, Ryan Schuhmacher and Dan Torres started working in restaurants in their teens and developed into talented chefs. Living in a seaside town, their restaurant jobs are busiest during the summer – but the off-season is very slow. These New England pals know their fresh seafood and ready to call their own shots year-round with dishes like Stuffed Quahogs, Lobster Rolls and Codfish Sandwiches.