The Great Food Truck Race

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
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Common Sense says

age 10+

Fun food show serves positive messages, some language.

Food Network Reality TV 2010
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age 8+

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that The Great Food Truck Race is a mild reality show featuring teams participating in cross-country food truck challenges in hopes of winning their own food truck business. Expect some occasional salty words ("hell," "ass"; "f--k" is bleeped) and a few brief screaming matches between frustrated teammates. This being said, the show is entertaining and positive, and sends strong messages about working hard, setting goals, and being good sports.

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What's the Story?

THE GREAT FOOD TRUCK RACE is a reality competition that gives teams of food truck rookies the chance to compete for their own mobile food business. Hosted by celebrity chef and author Tyler Florence, it features eight teams traveling to different cities across the country in state-of-the-art trucks to prepare and sell their food. During each stop the teams must face off in a "truck stop" cooking challenge, which can earn them advantages over the other competitors. Meanwhile, Florence throws in "speed bumps," or random penalties, into the mix. The food truck team that makes the least amount of money at each location must turn in their keys to the truck and go home. The overall winning team gets a major cash prize. Later seasons of the show also award the winners with an actual food truck.

Is It Any Good?

From Indian-themed tacos to Philadelphia cheesesteaks, the competition shows the various challenges that food truck businesses face when trying to develop a concept, establish themselves, and maintain a steady flow of customers. It underscores the importance of understanding how to buy ingredients and prepare food while maintaining a profit margin. The importance of making connections in order to find places with foot traffic and legal parking is also highlighted.

The teams are all focused on winning what amounts to a business on wheels, but this does not stop them from respecting each other or helping each other out. They also accept their losses with grace. Meanwhile, the food culture of the cities they travel to are also highlighted. Overall, it's an intense competition, but one that is both positive and entertaining.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about food shows on TV. Why are food shows so popular? Do you think shows like this inspire people to cook or try different kinds of food? Have food shows always been so popular on TV?

  • How realistic are the events featured on reality competition shows like this one? Are there any parts of these shows that seem staged?

TV Details

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