Great Food Truck Race recap episode 5: Sweet victory like Georgia peach

The final three food trucks have the final stop in their sights. The Great Food Truck Race recap shows that victory tastes as sweet as a Georgia peach.

As the end of Battle for the South, The Great Food Truck Race approaches the final stop, the final three teams had a fierce battle in Athens, Georgia. While the South may be filled with hospitality, the battle of food truck customers can be rough. Only two trucks can reach the final stop. In this Great Food Truck Race recap, only one team tasted sweet victory.

The three remaining food trucks, Braised in the South, Mr. Po Boys and the Breakfast Club rolled into Athens, Georgia with the dream of winning $50,000. But, the Southern college town could prove to be a difficult town. From limited selling areas to Tyler’s twists, the food trucks needed to use all their tools to earn a victory.

As the food trucks pulled into a local farmer’s market, the first challenge greeted them. The three food trucks had to create a savory appetizer featuring fresh Georgia peaches. To create a winning dish, the food trucks needed to highlight the peach. While a sweet dish would have been easy, the savory component caused teams to struggle.

Great Food Truck Race recap episode 5, photo from Food Network

Braised in the South had this challenge in the bag. The professional chef food truck knew that the key to winning was showing the peach in many ways. In its peach and scallops dish, Braised in the South used peaches three ways. Each bite highlighted the peach.

Breakfast Club struggled in this challenge. While their bruschetta was tasty, the dish wasn’t very elevated. The balance of fruit to goat cheese to bread was a little off. Also, the way that they presented the peach was a little difficult to eat. The dish showed that their cooking chops needed some work.

Mr. Po Boys could have made a better dish. While they are a po boy truck, they should be able to cook/present a different type of dish. Previously, they have won these advantage challenges. Their chicken po boy with peach chutney was disappointing. The peach seemed more like an afterthought. Plus, the portion size was not an appetizer.

Braised in the South won the savory peach appetizer challenge. Their prize was a huge advantage. For one hour, they can have the other food trucks stop selling. Reducing the other teams’ sales is a huge advantage in the second to last stop.

After completing the savory peach appetizer challenge, the food trucks went off to purchase supplies and create their selling strategy. But, this show would be boring without a few twists. While purchasing supplies, Tyler informs the food trucks that they cannot serve a previous menu item. For Braised in the South and Mr. Po Boys, they had to completely change the whole menu. The two trucks have been selling the same menu items at many stops. Luckily, they had some other ideas.

Great Food Truck Race recap episode 5, photo from Food Network

This week’s episode showed that some cities aren’t ideal for food trucks. Sometimes food trucks are considered more of an experience. With the limited time that they are selling, people aren’t just buying the actual plate of food. In this scenario, people are buying food from a food truck that is on television. It’s a limited time experience and needs to be sold in that way.

Usually, the Breakfast Club has the promotion aspect of this competition handled. Unfortunately, this week they seemed to struggle. While they tried to reach out to other businesses and organizations, the overall plan seemed to fall flat.

Their brunch concept can be a good seller. Everyone loves a good brunch, but this week’s menu options and selling tactics didn’t resonate with the city. Some cities embrace food trends and others just want good tasting, familiar foods.

During this week’s challenge, Tyler stopped by each food truck to gauge the team’s morale. These moments brought some reality to the challenge. While this show is about food and food trucks, these food trucks are run by real people.

Truthfully, good food comes from the heart. If a chef doesn’t believe in his dish, the person eating the food will know it. Have you ever tasted a dish and just known that something isn’t right? I’m not talking about a poorly cooked meal. Instead, I’m referencing a dish that is maybe a little too bitter or salty. Or, maybe there are too many components on the plate. Ever think that maybe it is because the chef has lost a little of his inspiration?

With Athens being the second to last stop, the Great Food Truck Race needed a moment to look at the people behind the food trucks. If those people aren’t willing to sacrifice or struggle for their dream, their business may not be successful. Who is going to spend $15 on a plate of tachos or breakfast nachos if that food is just a garbled mess?

Great Food Truck Race recap episode 5, photo from Food Network

Still, only two food trucks will move onto the finale. The Great Food Truck Race recap has to reveal who went home and who moved onto the final location. With their advantage, Braised in the South won the Athens stop. Their food, selling location and teamwork propelled them to a big victory. These three chefs are a definite force.

Mr. Po Boys and the Breakfast Club were up for elimination. Mr. Po Boys struggled to find an audience. While many people love po boys, they need to increase their selling game. Even the food truck with the best tasting food needs to be a powerful sales force. There is no saying, if you cook it they will come.

The Breakfast Club can be a little too gimmicky. While it is the millennial truck, I question their attitude occasionally. For example, I didn’t like that Mikey got a blow out when his truck was on mandatory hour shut down. To me, it was too much. Granted he couldn’t sell, but he acted like a spoiled child.

In the end, the Breakfast Club was eliminated. I don’t know if that food truck will ever become a reality. I think that they concept works, but the food needs to be a little more on point.

The final stop of the Great Food Truck Race is on the horizon. Braised in the South and Mr. Po Boys head to Savannah. Only one food truck will be crowned the winner. Who do you think has the advantage?

Next: Jason Smith & his country bling coming back to Food Network

Check back next week for the final installment of the Great Food Truck recap. Until next week, let’s get rolling.