TFTS History
In 2015, the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce introduced the very first state-wide food truck competition, The Texas Food Truck Showdown, an experience that would become one of Waco’s signature events.
The Chamber's special events team anticipated around 5,000 people to be in attendance for the inaugural event and hoped to secure 20 food trucks from around the state to compete. The first Showdown blew the team's goals out of the water, boasting an impressive 35 food trucks traveling to Waco from all over the state to compete while serving upwards of 15,000 people who attended.
After an outpouring of support from the community, the City of Waco, sponsors and food trucks alike, the Greater Waco Chamber knew The Texas Food Truck Showdown was here to stay. After several successful years, The Texas Food Truck Showdown is a regular spring event for Waco, welcoming up to 40 food trucks from around the country and over 25,000 people each year!
Get your belly ready for some good eats, we'll see you in Heritage Square for the 2025 Texas Food Truck Showdown!
We are excited to announce that The Texas Food Truck Showdown will be back on April 5, 2025. Below is the Schedule of Events, but please check back regularly as we will be adding information as we get closer to the event. Follow us on Facebook for the latest information!
- Celebrity Judging | 8 - 10 a.m.
- Food trucks will begin selling their signature dishes to the public at 10 a.m.
- Competition & Public Voting | 10 a.m - 4 p.m.
- Only Tasty Tickets are accepted during this time. Tickets will not be available for purchase after 3:30 p.m.*
- Pop Up Market | 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Featuring local artists with unique pieces and products.
- Beer and Wine Garden | 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.
- Tasty Tickets will not be accepted at the Beer and Wine Garden. Cash or card only.
- Live Music | 12 - 8 p.m.
- KidsZone | 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- To include children’s activities throughout the day.
- Awards | 4:30 p.m.
- Stick around to see who becomes the Grand Champion!
- Full Menu Sales | 5 - 8 p.m.
- Trucks will offer their full menu for cash/card purchases. *No Tasty Tickets will be accepted after 4 p.m.*
Thank you to our presenting sponsor, Texas Farm Bureau Insurance.
The key to happiness at The Texas Food Truck Showdown is Tasty Tickets.
To get food from ANY of the trucks at The Texas Food Truck Showdown you’ll need to purchase Tasty Tickets. During the competition, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tasty Tickets are required to purchase a signature dish. Only signature dishes will be served during the competition and trucks will not accept cash or cards. Tasty Tickets must be purchased at the ticket booths located near the event entrance using cash or card. Once you have Tasty Tickets, you are free to use them at any truck you want!
One Tasty Ticket costs $6 and will buy you one 4-ounce signature dish from any truck.
*Please Note: Tasty Tickets will not be sold after 3:30 p.m. and they become invalid after 4 p.m.; no refunds for unused tickets. The food trucks will open their full menu at 5 p.m. for cash/card purchases.
Tasty Tickets Sponsored by Waco Surf
Bottled water and soda will also be available for purchase directly from the drink trailer with cash or card from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (drinks cannot be purchased from food truck vendors). Beer and Wine Garden will be available from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
NO tasty tickets will be taken for drinks, beer or wine.
Beer Tent Sponsor
12:00 pm- 1:15 pm MCC Jazz
1:30 - 2:45 MCC County
3:00-4:15 MCC Rock
5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Sundae Drivers
6:20 pm - 8:00 pm Ghosts of Hill County
Entertainment & Stage Sponsor: Brazos River Capital, Lonestar Truck Group, & Waco Hyundai
Stop by our Pop-Up Market and support local businesses!
Generational Family Chiropractic
Loving Designs
Tessa's Candle Co
Meet Our 2025 Judges
The 2025 Texas Food Truck Showdown Champion will feature five judges.
The judges will sample each truck’s signature dish and determine the overall champion and category winners. Once the celebrity judging is complete, the public is invited to taste each truck’s signature dish and vote on the People’s Choice Award winner from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Alejandro Najar
Chef Alejandro Najar is a talented professional chef based in Waco, Texas, specializing in modern American cuisine with a strong emphasis on locally sourced Texas ingredients. Originally hailing from Ohio, Chef Alejandro Najar honed culinary skills in the bustling food scenes of Los Angeles and New York City before relocating to Texas to open The Butcher's Cellar. Currently, Chef Najar serves as the head chef at this fine-dining steakhouse, where a passion for quality and a commitment to regional flavors come together to create unforgettable dining experiences.
Leonardo Montelongo
Leonardo Montelongo is a dedicated banking professional with over 10 years of experience in financial services. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep understanding of banking operations, risk management, and client relations. Known for a meticulous approach to financial analysis and a commitment to delivering outstanding customer service, Leonardo has consistently contributed to the success and growth of every organization he has been a part of.
Prior to entering the banking industry, Leonardo pursued a background in music production, acting, event promotions and the culinary arts, which has shaped a unique perspective on creativity, attention to detail, and discipline. The adaptability and problem-solving skills honed through these disciplines have proven invaluable in their banking career, allowing him to approach financial challenges with innovative solutions and a collaborative mindset.
With a strong focus on strategic growth, Leonardo is known for cultivating lasting relationships with clients and stakeholders, helping them achieve financial goals through personalized, strategic advice. His broad expertise and diverse background make him an asset to the financial services.
Maura Lopez
Maura Lopez is the proud owner of Churros Time Waco, a beloved food truck that has been serving up delicious, hand-crafted churros to the Waco community for nearly 8 years. With a passion for authentic, fresh flavors, Maura has turned her food truck into a local favorite. In 2019, Churros Time Waco earned a prestigious honor by winning Grand Champion at the Texas Food Truck Championship during their first appearance, a recognition that showcases Maura’s dedication to excellence in the food truck industry. But the accolades didn’t stop there— in 2023, Churros Time Waco was awarded Best Dessert, further solidifying its status as a must-try destination. This win, along with the Grand Champion title, stands as a proud testament to Maura’s commitment to offering the best churros in town.
Natasha Young Jarmon
Natasha Young Jarmon, also affectionately known as Chef Heir, is the owner of The Heir’s Table and founder of the Heirloom 1918 Foundation. Chef Heir, a name she is affectionately called, came from the heirloom recipes passed down to her from her grandmothers.
Natasha has over 35 years of experience cooking professionally as a Personal Chef, Cake Artist and Caterer. She graduated from Douglas Woodward Professional Cake Decorating School and attended the Le Chef Culinary Arts School. Her specialty is Southern and Creole Cuisines. Her foodies enjoy her knack for bringing a twist to the old recipes with something new. An example of that is her Gumbo Gravy and Heirloom Soul Roll. Chef Heir is known for her over-the-top cake designs along with her moist signature “Wedding White Cake”.
Currently, Chef Heir provides culinary camps for children ages 6-14 years old Camp Cook S’More and Bee Chef’s Entrepreneurs for ages 15-18.
For her adult clients, there is Have a Seat at The Heir’s Table Supper Club with curated menus of chefs past and present .She also offers corporate team building cooking sessions, as well as interacting cooking parties for all ages. Chef Heir’s nonprofit organization, Heirloom 1918 Foundation, will serve as an educational resource in the Waco-McLennan County Community.
Some of her celebrity clients have included activist and an Original King of Comedy, D. L. Hugley, and comedian/actor, Clint Cooley. Chef Heir has appeared as a guest Chef for the following programs:
• KWTX, Channel 10 with Julie Hays
• KWVV, Channel 25
• Fox 44 News
• Loving Living Local-Central Texas
• 2022 Waco ISD
• Celebrity Chefs Cook-off
• Shout Out HTX
• Waco-McLennan County March of Dimes
• 2022 , 2025 Signature Chef Auction
• 2023-Current Board Member of Waco Independent School District Advisory Board
• 2023- Present World Hunger Relief Institute Board Member
• Featured Chef for the 2022 Juneteenth Celebrating Black Women Chefs Event in Houston, Texas
Chef Heir’s corporate and community clients include ESC Region 12, Child and Adult Care Food Program, Culinary Consultant, Sprouts Home Schoolers, Home Abstract Title Company, Mars Wrigley, Waco’s Million Dollar Producers and Waco Family Medicine. In addition, she has produced a series of YouTube Videos in collaboration with Cast Iron Skillet Culinaire’s Gifts From the Ancestors Foodways Project, Friendship Community Bible Church and Camp Cook S’More Goes to Houston.
Chef Heir is a 5th-generation Texan by choice and an adopted Waco native for over 40 years. She has been married for 34 years to her husband James and they reside in Waco, Texas. They also have 2 sons, Stefan,who resides in Waco, Texas and Hunter,who resides in California.
Thanh Le
Thanh Le is the owner of Clay Pot Restaurant in downtown Waco. This family-run business takes great pride in sharing Vietnamese culture with local Wacoans and beyond. Their goal has always been to transport guests to Vietnam through delicious eats and decor. Melding their culture with the American way of life brings Thanh great joy, and they love sharing this experience through food and local events.
NOTE: By attending the event, you consent to be filmed/recorded as part of the audience for security and broadcast without payments.
Still have questions? Use the contact form below.
A special thank you to The Texas Food Truck Showdown sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Additional Sponsors
Volunteer registration for The 2025 Texas Food Truck Showdown is open now!
There are multiple volunteer positions for this event. The jobs are broken down into shifts of 2-3 hours and volunteers can sign up for just one shift or multiple shifts (any help is appreciated). Each of these positions will play a huge role in helping attendees with questions, greeting them as they enter the venue, assisting them with directions and making sure that each guest is having a great time. If sponsorship is secured for t-shirts, all volunteers will receive one as a part of their valued participation.
You will receive more information regarding your volunteer position in the weeks prior to the event.
We are all excited to work with you again on another great event! Your hard work and dedication make a huge impact on our guests and we greatly appreciate it!
To join us as a volunteer, please click the volunteer button below:
