It's been a minute or a year ... Thank you

by Michael 16. June 2022 04:03

The last two years have been a whirlwind for us as a company and naturally for our team members and partners as well. That being said, you haven't heard as much from us on our blog and until recently our social channels were quieter than normal.

With an extremely busy 2021 and first half of 2022 it's been a lot of fun and a lot of work. So midway through June, the team embarked on a one day retreat for fun and relaxation.

No work, just good times with our team. It was a blast. We encourage you all to to also engage your teams in such outings. We're extremely thankful we get to engage with so many customers in helping them to appreciate their team members. Thank you for your business and support over the last two years.

TBFT Team

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Blog | Food Trucks | Catering | Corporate

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Top 10 Food Trucks to Start or Rebrand in 2020!

by Chaya@tbftr.com 3. October 2019 10:14

What draws people to rallies and different food truck events? It’s the food of course! Most importantly, it’s the variety. As the food truck industry continues to grow, there is a need to expand into different culinary genres in order to offer an even more diverse and original variety of dishes!

We are constantly researching and monitoring what cuisine options are working and what is not. We wanted to share our findings to help your truck become a contributing partner in the growth of the food truck scene here in Tampa!

Here are the top 10 Food Trucks that the Tampa Bay Area needs to see more of:

Middle Eastern
Wings
Indian
Chinese
Thai
Mexican
Seafood
Churros
Empanadas
Poke Bowl

Here are the top 3 that are already saturated in the market:

BBQ
Shaved/Italian ice
Cheesesteaks

You can go anywhere to get average food, and that’s why we suggest branching out of your comfort zone and trying something new. Tampa is exploding with diversity and flavor, and that’s what is performing best right now! The trucks we work with are a collection of different local eateries that reflect their favorite family recipes as well as new, fun trends that are happening in the foodie world.

If you ever need help or consulting starting your brand, you can check out our seminar on how to start a food truck or even engage us to develop your branding down to truck name and menu items. Our Chief Eating Officer, Michael Blasco has been in the food truck scene since 2011. For a full list of our services, click here.

Tags: food trucks, tampa bay food trucks, tampa bay area, tampa foodie, food truck branding, starting a food truck, how to start a food truck, food truck, culinary, tampa florida, tampa jobs

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Top 8 Ways To Show Your Employees You Appreciate Them

by 1potato2llc@gmail.com 23. January 2019 10:29

Looking for some inspiration on how to best recognize your employees’ hard work? Ask yourself one question: what’s the best way to warm their hearts?

By filling their stomachs of course! Employee appreciation parties and events are a great way to increase morale by reducing stress, giving everyone a chance to get to know each other outside of the traditional context, and fostering a happier company culture and sense of community. Whether you are looking to hold an event on site or at a different location, corporate events are a surefire way to boost employee morale and spirit. As you plan your next event think about some of the following themed parties:

Host a food tasting

What's the best way to expose your employees to new food they haven’t tried before? A food tasting! Eliminate order envy by allowing everyone to sample a variety of offerings, instead of settling on a singular meal. Food trucks have the ability to serve a selection of appetizers/small plates or half meals, with a specific amount budgeted out per person. This gives your employees the option of trying multiple menu items without breaking the bank. Food tastings can be themed, for example a tasting of world cuisines, or maybe even just one cuisine with different types of food ranging from small savory bites to desserts from a particular region.
Sports watch party (football, baseball, soccer)

Invite your employees to bring their favorite jerseys for a sports themed night. Events may be planned to take place the same date or time as a local football or baseball game, or just as a “spirit day.” Research some trivia and post it around the office while you have food trucks outside to cook up some game day grub. Popular food truck cuisines for sports events include fries, hamburgers, grilled cheese, cheesesteaks, hot dogs, and more! Another optional add-on is to set up ice buckets for beer or hire bar service. Tampa Bay Food Trucks can provide this service!
Throw a desserts-only bash

Donuts, ice cream, milkshakes, churros, Italian ice, cheesecake on a stick, cupcakes, and the list goes on. Whether you choose to display a wall of donuts (one of our clients used powdered and regular donuts on a peg wall to make a “50” to celebrate 50 years of business), order directly from the trucks, or set up a buffet of different delicacies, you can’t go wrong with dessert. Food trucks bring a unique experience and desserts are freshly prepared on the spot. Bringing in local street food is a sweet surprise, and ups the ante from a traditional potluck.
Throw down Oktoberfest style

Pair this fest with food trucks who can produce German food such as kielbasa. Think cuisine such as bratwurst, pretzels, sauerkraut, french fries, brisket, and/or meatballs. You can create your own beer garden (biergarten!) on site, or take a field trip to a local brewery. We have partnerships with several local breweries, and can arrange to have the food truck meet you on site. If you’re looking to avoid alcohol, serve root beer or craft sodas instead with custom labels to enjoy with your meal.
Take a trip to the diner with retro milkshakes and burgers

Find some poodle skirts and leather jackets at the thrift store - because we’re heading back in time to the 50’s! Serve Coca Cola in glass bottles, and set up an area with a projector to play an old movie, drive-in style. Really get your employees in the retro mindset by playing intermission snack bar commercials so they have time to refill their drinks and grab some additional food. You can even step up your party’s game with a DJ (or mobile DJ Truck) and a dance floor (which you can find at many businesses for rent including here). Really want to invest in this theme? Hire some guys and girls to serve on roller skates!
Have an 80’s themed party

Ask your employees to dress up in their craziest outfits for this day. Hand out fingerless mesh gloves, and have a bucket of glow sticks at the ready. This is another great party to set up a photo booth area with props such as PacMen, logos (MTV, ATARI), and Rubik’s cube images on sticks for people to hold up. Utilize bright neon balloons, VHS tapes and cassettes from the thrift store, party lighting, and slinkies to hang from the ceiling as decorations. This is another event where the mobile DJ truck comes in handy - prepare with a list of your favorite 80’s hits. Seek out some vintage games like PacMan and Space Invaders for entertainment for those who are a bit shy about busting out dance moves.
Breakfast for dinner

Breakfast food is too tasty to be limited to mornings only! Switch up a traditional catering with donuts, crepes, waffles, yogurt parfaits, chocolate covered strawberries, and/or mini quiches. These events are best held in open air, or in an area with abundant natural lighting. Service options can include ordering and serving directly from a food truck, having employees grab their food in a buffet line, or having butler service.
Chuckwagon Hoedown

Grab some bandanas, and tell your employees to bring their cowboy boots because we’re having a hoedown! Get a BBQ and/or a burger truck (a “chuckwagon!”) to serve your crew. Menu options can include baked beans, macaroni and cheese, fries, burgers, hot dogs, green beans, corn bread, pound cake, lemonade, corn on the cob, potato salad, coleslaw, the list goes on! For dessert, serve up some pies, and chocolate chip cookies to complement the country-style spread. For venues, consider parks, campgrounds, or local farmland as a nice backdrop and change of scenery. Check out YouTube for some line dancing tutorials or hire someone to teach your employees to dance along to the music!

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5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Planning a Food Truck Wedding

by 1potato2llc@gmail.com 17. August 2018 08:32

Does planning your wedding have your head spinning? Does a food truck wedding grab your attention, but you're not sure where to start? Planning your wedding can be overwhelming, but food doesn't have to be. Here are 5 questions to ask yourself (and your spouse to be!) to determine if a food truck wedding is right for you.

#1 Does your venue allow outside catering?

If you are considering using food trucks for your event, the first question to ask is if your selected venue allows food from outside caterers. Sometimes this practice is encouraged, or you may be asked to pay a small fee, or worst case- this may be prohibited altogether. It's best to ask the management team of your venue about their policy before you commit to a location. The next item to consider if a food truck is allowed, is where you would like them to park. See your event coordinator for their recommendation so the food will be accessible, but not interfere with your event layout.

#2 How do you envision your guests being served their meals?

Buffet style, ordering from the truck, boxes set out for guests to grab and go, butler passed hors d'oeuvres - food trucks can serve in a multitude of styles! When weighing these options also consider how fast you would like your guests to be served. Depending on the size of your wedding, you may opt to have guests serve themselves at a buffet, or utilize wait staff to expedite service. Some brides want to treat their guests to a more genuine food truck experience by having them order directly from the truck itself. For this particular style, advance planning is recommended to help serve guests as quickly as possible.

#3 What is the best way to utilize a food truck at your wedding?

Food trucks can provide a variety of services ranging from simple appetizers to entree service at your rehearsal dinner or reception. If you are looking for an alternative to cake, dessert-focused food trucks can create a dessert buffet or personalized arrangement for your special day. Looking for a little more variety than a traditional wedding cake? Consider a sundae bar or cupcakes for guests to choose from! At Tampa Bay Food Trucks we offer not only food trucks for hire, but also comprehensive event planning services. Don't forget to ask us about bar and drink services, table and chair rental, catering management, or our DJ and portable dance floor. We can help you create the perfect event almost anywhere, and food trucks can be utilized for just about any event leading up to, during and after your big day as well - the stag, bachelorette and engagement parties, bridal showers, post-wedding brunch or even a late night reception snack. A food truck can even provide favors for guests as they exit your reception.

#4 What type of cuisine would you like to serve?

The street food scene in Tampa Bay are pretty unparalleled, meaning you have a long list of food trucks to choose from! Take some time to think about what cuisine reflects you as a couple, and that would be enjoyed by all of your guests. Are you looking for something culturally authentic? Or food with mass appeal? Some popular options include (but of course are not limited to) Asian fusion, Cuban, Filipino, Fish and Chips, Gluten-Free Options, gourmet comfort food, Greek, Hawaiian, Indian, Italian, Kid-Friendly Items, Korean Fusion, Latin, Macaroni and Cheese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Pizza, Seafood, Southern-Inspired Dishes, Spanish, Brazilian steak, Vegan/Vegetarian Accommodating Options, Waffles, and Wings. If you think that's a mouthful, that’s just the entrees. Round out your meal with something sweet such as Brownies, Cakes and Cupcakes, Cheesecakes, Coffee, Cookies, various Deep-Fried Desserts, Gelato, Gluten-Free Desserts, Milkshakes, Mini Donuts, Pies, Soft Serve Ice Cream, and Sorbet or a Sundae Bar! Have fun dreaming up a custom menu that best fits your day, and we will help pair you with a truck and chef who are best equipped to bring your ideas to life.

#5 What do your guest list and budget look like?

You may be thinking a food truck is cheaper than a traditional caterer. It can be, but that isn’t always the case. When comparing vendors be mindful of the total cost of service. Some catering companies will tack on extra fees at the end, not to mention mandatory gratuity. Our pricing is all inclusive, and the cost of hiring a food truck takes into account how many hours of service will be needed, as well as the number of guests and items being served. Details such as food and labor costs, mileage to the location, and more can also influence the cost of your catering. To get the most accurate quote, have a rough head count in place and be open to discussion with us. If a quote comes in higher than anticipated, we can help pinpoint if it's the number of guests, or selected menu items, or another factor that is driving the total cost, and help you determine if it's something that can be adjusted.

Looking to take the next step in your planning process? Check out our Wedding Catering page or call our wedding specialist Kim Sanders at 813-390-5671. You can also leave your information here to discuss how we can help plan your special day, and make it one your guests will rave about for years to come.

Tags: wedding, food truck wedding, catering for wedding, gluten free wedding catering, gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, wedding catering budget, appetizers, main course, wedding cake, wedding desserts, food trucks

Blog | Catering | Wedding

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7 Essential Food Truck Treats To Add to your Dessert Bar

by grace@tbftr.com 8. August 2018 08:26

Looking to wow your guests at your upcoming party or event? Look no further. We've compiled some of the Tampa Bay Area's best dessert food truck desserts for you to sink your teeth into. Here's 7 must-have essential desserts from food trucks you need to add to your dessert bar.

1. A bucketful of Cinnamon Sugar Donuts from Jenny’s Mini Donuts. Mmmmm. Donuts. For an easy snack for the on the go dancer - a mini donut is a must. If your guests are on the move and need a quick pick me up a warm donut made from love is the way to go. 2 bites and you’re ready to get back on the dance floor, or go right back into the fray to network. All of the donuts from Jenny's Mini Donut truck are fried and made right in the food truck so it’s gauranteed fresh. A cinnamon sugar donut is simple, yet they stand out from the crowd of the usual dessert table fare.
2. Mini Key Lime Pies from Got Candy & More. Wanna know how to wow your party guests? Mini pies. Step outside of the norm and offer pies instead of cupcakes! Your guests will never forget such a unique dessert. Just like a mini cupcake, a mini pie is just a couple of bites. If you’re not a key lime pie person, you can choose to do another flavor like Buckeye or go the savory route instead!
3. Mini Cupcake Assortment from Mmmm-Delicious. Why limit yourself? You can order 15 or 100, and pick up to four flavors to sport at your event's dessert table. Some of our personal favorites include Lemon Blueberry, Mimosa, Strawberry & Champegne, Chocolate Bacon, and Coconut. But that’s just a few flavors that you can choose out of the 90+ flavors on the Mmmm-Delicious food truck's menu. Just like a mini donut, this is the perfect treat for your guests on the go.
4. Eddie Bull’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough from YoYo Juice. Sprinkles, chocolate chip, salted caramel, oh my! Yo Yo Juice knows how to serve up the perfect scoopa-bull cookie dough. While you can either bake or eat it - we suggest eating it. Did we mention they offer a gluten free option in both sprinkle and chocolate chip? Edible cookie dough is a great option not only for kids, but adults of all sizes. Have you ever met someone that hasn’t admitted to licking the bowl as a kid when baking cookies with mom? Nope. Make your party guests’ wildest dreams come true and serve up some dough! Set up your dessert table so that you have individual portions for guests to grab and go, or a bowl for guests to serve themselves. Cookie dough can be a bit of a more intimate dessert since there's some scooping involved, so it's perfect for the family get together or even an alternative to cake at a birthday party.
5. Chocolate Sout Cupcake from The Naked Cupcake. While The Naked Cupcake offers a ton of flavors and options, the chocolate stout cupcake has won our hearts. While beer may sound a bit weird in a cupcake - but its darn right delicious. The chocolate stout flavors the body of the cupcake, and its topped with a peanut butter frosting topped with a butter snap pretzel. Yum. Not a chocolate person? A stout person? Not an adult? Don’t worry, The Naked Cupcake offers a ton of flavors.
6. Sweet Tart Crepe from The Crepe Company. Shhhh. So technically the sweet tart crepe is a breakfast crepe made by The Crepe Company, but your guests won’t know. We never knew something so sweet and simple could be so delicious, but the sweet tart proved us wrong. Crepe + Raspberry Preserves + Cream Cheese = the best sweet tart crepe known to man. Crepes are the perfect treat for a breakfast party or even a sweet breakfast bar for work.
7. French Toast donut from Craving Donuts. So we already put donuts on the dessert list but this is a full sized donut. And a donut you absolutely can’t pass up. We’ve had all types of donuts from all different places but Craving Donuts is one of the donut stops you can’t pass up. The French Toast donut tops it off. Craving donuts makes their doughnuts from a sour dough type dough that makes your taste buds simmer. It’s light and fluffy a bit like a cloud.

Did we make you hungry? Did we get you excited for the possibilities of where you can take your dessert bar? Let us help you make your dreams come true and put your party into action. Tampa Bay Food Trucks can help you book the trucks, and set up the menu for your party/event. Whether you want to have a dessert bar, or have people pass the desserts at a party we've got it! Contact us here.

Mini Cupcake Assortment from Mmmmm-Delicious with Tampa Bay Food Trucks

Mini Pie from Got Candy and More with Tampa Bay Food Trucks

Eddie Bull's Cookie Dough from YoYo Juice with Tampa Bay Food Trucks

Cupcake Assortment from Mmmm-Delicious with Tampa Bay Food Trucks

Craving Donuts with Tampa Bay Food Trucks

Sweet Crepe from The Crepe Company at Tampa Bay Food Trucks

Jenny's Mini Donuts with Tampa Bay Food Trucks

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Orange Blossom Bride Feature: Loggia at Lake Mirror Wedding

by 1potato2llc@gmail.com 3. March 2018 11:53

This article was originally published by Orange Blossom Bride on February 26th, 2018. All photos by Jordan Weiland Photography.

Elegant Loggia at Lake Mirror Wedding

Hilary and Christopher’s waterfront wedding shows off the beauty of Hilary’s hometown, Lakeland. The two of them said their I Do’s in front of the stately Loggia at Lake Mirror as the lake itself stretched out behind rows of guests. Their day was classic and romantic with a touch of rustic. Hilary wore a flowing white dress and carried a bouquet wrapped in a lace doily, and Christopher met her at the end of the aisle in his black tux. Coral and pink flowers hung on the wooden church pews that served as front row seating. Once the happy couple was officially husband and wife, they were off to celebrate!

Their outdoor reception overlooked the lake, and guests mingled and dined as the sun set over the city. The party was full of trucks – there was a donut truck to hand out yummy desserts and a mobile DJ truck to keep the dance floor alive! The blue lake, green grass, and floral centerpieces all popped against the neutral decor – it was beautiful scenery for a night full of fun!

Participating Vendors: