PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Viewers tuning into Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race: Truckin’,” might see familiar faces during the show’s upcoming season.
The show, hosted by chef Tyler Florence, challenges culinary teams as they road trip across different regions in the United States, taking part in cooking challenges for a chance to win $50,000.
Ahead of the Season 18 premiere, Warner Bros. Discovery described what the new season entails.
“From a NASCAR raceway and packed beach boardwalk to a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the teams visit landmark locations to face unprecedented challenges, demanding celebrity judges and some of the biggest crowds ever seen on the race. The action-packed, eight-city route starts in Savannah, Georgia with a challenge from baseball’s funniest team the Savannah Bananas, followed by a first elimination with a shocking surprise,” Warner Bros. Discovery announced July 10.
Representing the Pacific Northwest in the upcoming season: Fat Kid Food Co.
Chaz McKenna, owner of Fat Kid Food Co., opened the food truck in Medford in April of 2020 — transforming an old ambulance into a food truck. Now, the truck travels to pop-up events around Oregon.
“It was an idea to make some crazy fun street eats inspired by all over – changing our menu daily,” McKenna told KOIN 6 News on Monday, noting, “smash burgers became our thing with different crazy toppings.”
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Founded in Medford, Oregon in April 2020, Fat Kid Food Co. serves “Crazy fun street eats,” from a converted ambulance, owner Chaz McKenna told KOIN 6 News July 14, 2025 (Courtesy Fat Kid Food Co.) -
Founded in Medford, Oregon in 2020, Fat Kid Food Co. serves “crazy street eats,” from smash burgers to “crazy” Asian noodles (Courtesy Fat Kid Food Co.) -
Founded in Medford, Oregon in 2020, Fat Kid Food Co. serves “crazy street eats,” from smash burgers to “crazy” Asian noodles (Courtesy Fat Kid Food Co.) -
Founded in Medford, Oregon in 2020, Fat Kid Food Co. serves “crazy street eats,” from smash burgers to “crazy” Asian noodles (Courtesy Fat Kid Food Co.)
“It was like let’s make food that chefs and kitchen industry peeps wanna eat after a shift. Fun munchies,” McKenna said of Fat Kid Food Co.’s menu inspiration, noting they rotate between “crazy” Asian noodle dishes, smash burgers and fried chicken to sandwiches and wood-fired pizza.
McKenna’s crew for the competition included his “right-hand” guy, Tristan “Milkshake” Compton — who has worked alongside McKenna for three years — along with Tristan Keroles from Nama in Ashland along with Josh Dorchak, owner of Mas and Nama.
Other competing food trucks this season include Burger Walla from Newark, New Jersey; Cooking with Que from Detroit, Michigan; Eat My Biscuits from Atlanta, Georgia; G’s Cheesesteaks from Staten Island, New York; Good Fortune Company from Memphis, Tennessee; Nishaan from Brooklyn, New York; Rising Tiger from Longmont, Colorado and Stop Drop n Roll representing Springfield, New Jersey.
The season premieres on Sunday, August 3 at 9 p.m. on Food Network and streams the following day on HBO Max.
