We are excited to announce that The Texas Food Truck Showdown will be back on April 11, 2026. 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
10:00 am - 11:30 pm Sami Brown
12:00 pm- 1:30 pm Chris Low Band
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm The Booger Boiles Band
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm Zamora County Line
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm The Rewind Party Band
Entertainment & Stage Sponsor:
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 | Allstate Insurance Agent David Wilson
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 Sponsors
These celebrity 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.
More judge announcements coming soon!
Trey Chapman
Trey Chapman is the founder and driving force behind Trey’s Chow Down, one of Texas’ most influential food and travel platforms, dedicated to discovering, celebrating, and sharing the Lone Star State’s most iconic and innovative culinary experiences. With a passion for bold flavors, authentic stories, and the people behind the food, Trey has grown a devoted audience of more than 600,000 followers across 15 social media platforms, earning him a reputation as a trusted voice and tastemaker in Texas’ vibrant food scene.
Through Trey’s Chow Down, Trey shines a spotlight on the diverse culinary landscape of Texas, from legendary BBQ joints and hidden gem diners to craft breweries, food trucks, and innovative eateries redefining traditional flavors. He has a unique ability to connect audiences with the local entrepreneurs, chefs, and small business owners who pour their heart and soul into every dish. His engaging storytelling, energetic presentation, and authentic enthusiasm make his content both entertaining and informative, drawing viewers into the culture, history, and personality behind each bite.
Trey’s influence extends beyond digital media. A seasoned emcee, host, and competition judge, he brings credibility, charisma, and high-energy entertainment to every event he participates in. Whether on stage, on-screen, or in live culinary competitions, Trey combines expert insight with a deep appreciation for Texas’ culinary heritage, celebrating the skill, creativity, and resilience of the people who shape it.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Trey is deeply committed to using his platform for positive community impact. He actively supports charities, small business initiatives, and statewide food events that foster connection and growth across Texas communities. Through these efforts, he works to elevate local talent, empower entrepreneurs, and create experiences that bring people together over their shared love of food.
At the heart of Trey’s mission is a simple philosophy: spotlight extraordinary food, amplify passionate voices, and help communities thrive, one unforgettable meal, one story, and one event at a time. With Trey’s Chow Down, he continues to inspire food lovers and industry professionals alike, shaping how Texans and others discover, experience, and celebrate the state’s rich culinary landscape.
Stacy Russell
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.
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.
Rutilio "Junior" Salas Jr
From Hollywood Stars to Rocket Rigs!
Long Beach, CA native Rutilio "Junior" Salas Jr. sparked his culinary journey young, cooking dinners for his hardworking parents. He mastered some of California's kitchens before graduating from the Culinary School of Culinary Arts in 2004 (CSCA) in Pasadena.
His resume shines with high-end prestige: Helping power The Beverly Hills Hotel's pastry team for Grammys, Oscars, and Polo Lounge elites; conquering fast-paced Hawaiian fusion at Roy’s in Woodland Hills; innovating Pastry at Cicada in downtown LA; and rising to Executive Sous Chef at 23 at a boutique Manhattan Beach hotel. An 8-year stint of pastry and bakery at Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach followed.
In 2014, Junior joined SpaceX's Hawthorne HQ, thriving in the high-octane rush to feed 5,000 daily. Now leading in McGregor, TX, he helped expand Texas operations across McGregor, Brownsville, and Bastrop—blending precision, scale, and bold innovation.
Junior brings a discerning eye for flavor fireworks, technique under pressure.
Ali Khan
Ali Khan is a content creator on seen on television, digital and print media. He has been seen on Food Network’s The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Chopped + Chopped Junior, Spring Baking Championship and is most known for his breakout series Cheap Eats for Cooking Channel which ran for five seasons. He can also be seen on History Channel’s Food That Built America, PBS’ Taco Mafia and a Vox Media digital series for Thrillist and Travel Texas
In addition to television, Ali is a food writer whose work appears in James Beard award winning publications. Two digital series he created with FARE(a food allergy advocacy group) netted him Telly and Hermes creative awards. He has served as the official spokesperson for Rise Against Hunger, a global initiative to combat hunger worldwide. In 2022 Ali began working with the James Beard Foundation.
In 2025 he launched his podcast on Fatherhood and launched two YouTube Channels: Ali Khan Eats and Outrageous Foods.
Cowboy Chef Newton
Chef Mike Newton is the founder and executive chef behind Newton’s Saddlerack in Stephenville, Texas, a vibrant culinary destination blending casual fine dining with bold Texas flavor and hospitality. Known affectionately as Cowboy Chef Newton, Mike’s culinary journey is rooted in his Texas upbringing, ranch life, and a deep passion for cooking that fuses traditional Lone Star tastes with international influences.
A familiar face from MasterChef (Seasons 8 & 12) and other competitive food challenges, Chef Newton first gained national attention with his spirited “Cowboy Chef” persona and his dedication to authentic Texas cuisine. His experiences in top kitchens across Texas, working with acclaimed chefs, helped shape his bold yet approachable style, one that champions quality ingredients, soulful flavor, and a commitment to community.
At Newton’s Saddlerack, Chef Newton crafts dishes that reflect his diverse culinary influences, from Texas comfort foods and smoked meats to refined sauces and seasonal creations that appeal to both locals and visitors alike. Guests often praise his warm hospitality, creative menus, and his hands‑on presence in the dining room.
Mike is also known for his philanthropic efforts, using his talents to support local charities and community causes, having helped raise significant funds through events and appearances since his MasterChef debut.
In 2026, Chef Newton is set to bring his culinary expertise and discerning palate to Texas Food Truck Showdown as a guest judge, joining a lineup of celebrated food personalities evaluating the state’s best food truck talent.
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.