TheDailyCity.com Food Truck Bazaar (About, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) is the nation’s first travelling food truck event, created right here in Central Florida on March 29, 2011 by Mark Baratelli and TheDailyCity.com. It’s the event that birthed the food truck scene in Orlando, a city which gets 50 million tourists per year. Every month it reaches 15,000 people and 15 towns! This is huge! In 2012 alone we did it 137 times! It’s family-friendly and dog-friendly. It’s gives communities a reason to gather together, a chance to try Orlando’s food truck scene and a way to get exposure to the food truck industry.

Here are the upcoming events for April and May:

Thursday April 18, 5:30-8:30pm, 400 N. Alexander St, Sit & Stay Pet Café, Cafe Cocoa Mo, Bem Bom, Twisted Cuban, Cafe Rouge, Fork in the Road, The Crepe Company, The Flattery, The Treehouse Truck, Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles, Monsta Lobsta, Korean BBQ Taco Box, Mayan Grill, Tastebuds, Over Rice Food Truck, Charlie’s Bakery, Ice Cream Social, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck

Sunday April 21, 5-8pm, Earl Brown Park, 751 S. Alabama Ave., Beard Pappa, Cafe Cocoa Mo, Cafe Rouge, Fork in the Road, The Crepe Company, Twisted Cuban, Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles, Saigon Sizzle, Mayan Grill, The Big Cheese, Up in Smoke, Monsta Lobsta, Uber Good, Wako Taco, Ice Cream Social, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck

Monday April 22 had to be canceled. The area of the park we normally set up at is under construction. The Chamber of Commerce is doing everything it can to find a new venue for May.

Wednesday April 24, 6-9pm, Timber Creek High School, 1001 Avalon Park Blvd, Beard Pappa, Bem Bom, Cafe Rouge, Fork in the Road, The Crepe Company, Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles, SwedeDish, La Empanada, Tastebuds, Carobama BBQ, Monsta Lobsta, The Big Cheese, Wako Taco, Sweet City Gelato, Yum Yum Cupcake

Thursday April 25, Gateway Center for the Arts, 880 U.S. 17 De Bary, FL 32713, Bem Bom, Cafe Rouge, Fork in the Road, Twisted Cuban, The Treehouse Truck, Saigon Sizzle, Up In Smoke BBQ, ClawDaddy’s, Mr Fed’s Fresh & Famous Food, Ice Cream Social, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck

Thursday April 25, Embry Riddle, 600 S Clyde Morris Blvd, Daytona Beach, “Walk With Me for Easter Seals” event. SEVEN TRUCKS WILL BE THERE: Bem Bom, The Crepe Company, The Flattery, Mayan Grill, Monsta Lobsta, The Big Cheese, Sweet City Gelato

Friday April 26, 5-8pm, Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Dr., 5Gastronomy, Cafe Rouge, Fork in the Road, The Crepe Company, Curbside Chef, Dixieland Diner, Swede Dish, Mayan Grill, Up in Smoke BBQ, Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles, Monsta Lobsta, Mr Fed’s Fresh & Famous Food, Saigon Sizzle, Uber Good, Veggie Love, Wako Taco, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck

Saturday April 27, 1875 Silver Spurs Lane, Osceola Heritage Park, “Education in the Park,” Bem Bom, Cafe Rouge, Fork in the Road, The Crepe Company, Mayan Grill, Up In Smoke, Pastrami Project, The Big Cheese, Curbside Chef, Local Yolk’l, Treasure Island Treats, Veggie Love, Beard Pappa, Dimples Delights, Sweet City Gelato, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, Cafe Cocoa Mo

Sunday April 28, 6-9pm, 3680 Avalon Park E Blvd, 5Gastronomy, Bem Bom, Fork in the Road, The Crepe Company, Twisted Cuban, The Flattery, The Treehouse Truck, Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles, Saigon Sizzle, Swede Dish, Mayan Grill, Tastebuds, C&S Brisket Bus, Up In Smoke BBQ, Monsta Lobsta, Curbside Chef, Fantastic Hummus, Local Yolk’l, Mr Fed’s Fresh & Famous Food, Over Rice Food Truck, Uber Good, Wako Taco, Beard Poppa, Charlie’s Bakery, Sweet City Gelato, Pop Craft, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, Café Cocoa Mo

MAY 2 5:30-8:30 ROCKLEDGE 182-282 Barton Blvd
MAY 3 6-9pm KISSIMMEE 201 E. Dakin Ave
MAY 4 6-9pm SANFORD 201 E Seminole Blvd
MAY 5 6-9pm ORANGE CITY KMart plaza, 810 Saxon Blvd
MAY 9 5-8pm MINNEOLA Park & Ride lot, US Hwy 27
MAY 10 6-9pm CASSELBERRY 95 Triplet Lake Dr
MAY 16 5:30-8:30 MOUNT DORA 400 N. Alexander St
MAY 19 6-9pm ORLANDO Fashion Square Mall *25 Trucks*
MAY 19 5-8pm DELAND 751 S. Alabama Ave.
MAY 23 DEBARY *canceled and postponed to June 27*
MAY 24 5-8pm MELBOURNE Wickham Park 2500 Parkway Dr

http://www.thedailycity.com/2013/04/thedailycitycom-food-truck-bazaar.html

After 134 events in 2012, The Food Truck Bazaar (About, Twitter, Facebook) enters its THIRD year in existence with three towns on its itinerary for this weekend: Kissimmee, Sanford and Orange City. Check thefull schedule to see when the event is popping into your neck of the woods.

• FRIDAY JANUARY 4 | 6PM – 9PM | KISSIMMEE | Kissimmee Civic Center, 201 E. Dakin Ave: Cafe Cocoa Mo, 5Gastronomy, Bem Bom, Big Wheel, Fork in the Road, Crepe Co, Twisted Cuban, C&S, Korean BBQ Box, Mayan Grill, Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles, Tastebuds, Treasure Island, Charlie’s Bakery, The Batter Bowl, Yum Yum Cupcake, Sit & Stay Pet Cafe
• SATURDAY JANUARY 5 | 6PM – 9PM | SANFORD | Downtown Sanford, Palmetto Ave at Seminole Blvd: Beard Poppa, Coffee Urge, Cafe Rouge, The Crepe Company, Twisted Cuban, Bollywood BBQ, La Empanada, Saigon Sizzle, The Treehouse Truck, Uber Good, Waco Taco, Carobama BBQ, Dimple Delights, Yum Yum Cupcake, Sit & Stay Pet Cafe
• SUNDAY JANUARY 6 | 6PM – 9PM | ORANGE CITY | KMart Plaza, 810 Saxon Blvd: Cafe Rouge, Fork in the Road, Crepe Co, Twisted Cuban, C&S Briset Bus, Mayan Grill, MiCasita, Monsta Lobsta, Mr Fed’s, Saigon Sizzle, Swede Dish, Up In Smoke BBQ, Dimple Delights, Ice Cream Social, Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, Cafe Cocoa Mo

Maitland Food Truck Pod ( Stephen M. Dowell, Orlando Sentinel / October 4, 2011 ) The sidewalks are crowded during a recent Tuesday food truck gathering in Maitland at Lake Lily.

Food trucks and mobile kitchens are not new, but with the Food Network‘s the “Great Food Truck Race” and the Cooking Channel‘s “Eat Street,” suddenly the chuck wagon has traded its dusty demeanor for a hipster happening.

Here in Central Florida, our modern food trucks can trace their roots to construction-site mobile canteens, chow wagons following agricultural harvests and cattle drives, independent barbecue trailers and ethnic-food vendors.

Mark Baratelli, creator and producer of Orlando Food Truck Bazaar and Thedailycity.com, has been a key player in organizing food truck pods, rallies and bazaars.

In 2009, Central Florida’s diversity was reflected in the assortment of food vendors offering authentic South and Central American fare along South Orange Blossom Trail.

This year, the stage was set for a culinary convergence as gourmet and restaurant trucks came into their own with eclectic menus, eye-catching trucks and savvy sales techniques.

Mark Baratelli, creator and producer of Orlando Food Truck Bazaar and Thedailycity.com, has been a key player in organizing food truck pods, rallies and bazaars.

“These events emphasize community,” he says. “The circle of vendors becomes a front porch of sorts for neighbors and friends to meet. Walk through any of these events and you find participants plopped down in folding chairs to relax and children laughing and playing nearby. What a great use of city parks and land that might otherwise not be used on that day.”

The best way to keep up with food trucks is to follow their Facebook pages and Twitter, says Joey Conicella, co-owner of the Yum Yum Cupcake Truck. “Schedules are constantly influx. These aren’t fixed locations like restaurants.”

National Restaurant Association research shows that in just one year, the number of consumers who say they would be likely to visit a food truck has increased significantly.

And the vendors run the gamut from trend-riding entrepreneurs to established caterers and restaurateurs.

“Food trucks present opportunities for restaurants to expand their operations and presence,” says Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the association’s Research and Knowledge Group. “Mobile food service can be a good way to extend an existing restaurant brand beyond the four walls of the establishment.”

One of the newest trucks is Alex Flores’ Twisted Cuban. A graduate of Johnson and Wales University in North Miami, Flores offers a menu ranging from the traditional (Cuban sandwiches, fritas and flan) to his own twist on classics such as arroz con pollo.

“The truck has given me a new way to bring the Cuban food experience to customers,” says Flores, who also operates the Half Full Coffee House, a café in DeLand. “My goal is to make believers out of skeptics who think Cuban food is only about black beans and rice.”

Flores has joined a convoy more than 50 Central Florida food trucks. Today, we’re offering a sampling of these creative meals on wheels. Most can be followed via social media but others are catch as catch can.

Allan’s Jerk Shack: Authentic Jamaican food; Friday nights at the corner of Orange Avenue and Pine Street in downtown Orlando; 407-668-9225 and Facebook

Arepas El Cacao: Menu star is the namesake arepa popular in Colombia, Venezuela and other Spanish-speaking countries; 5545 International Drive, Orlando; 321-202-4983; Facebook and @Arepaselcacao on Twitter

The Batter Bowl: Dessert on wheels and catering; 407-601-4248; thebatterbowltruck.com, Facebook and @batterbowltruck on Twitter

BigBrunos Bites: Hot dogs, including bacon-wrapped hot dogs, vegan brats, cheese steaks are standards but you may find scotch eggs, banh mi, duck fat fries and fried Oreos; Facebook

Big Wheel Provisions: Chef Tony Adams celebrates local, organic food in a big way; Facebook, bigwheeltruckmenu.com and @bigwheeltruck on Twitter

Casa De Chef: Cuban sandwiches, burgers, rice bowls and more; Facebook

C&S Brisket Bus: Mobile gourmet delicatessen with generous portions of cured, smoked, baked and braised foods; Facebook, brisketbus.com and @CSBrisketBus on Twitter

Chimi King: Dominican Chimichurri burgers; Chimichurris ChimiKing on Facebook

CK Jerk Shack Island BBQ: Jerk meats, coconut rice and beans, Jamaican callaloo greens and more; 407-301-1363, Facebook, ckjerkshack.com and @CKJerkShack on Twitter

Country Chuck Wagon: Pot roast, hot dogs, chicken or beef quesadillas and more; Facebook

Curbie’s Sidewalk Café: Gourmet hot dogs, specialty sandwiches; Facebook and curbiessidewalkcafe.com

El Cubanito: Cuban sandwiches, milkshakes and more served Monday-Saturday, 2237 N. Forsyth Road, Orlando; 305-305-7438

El Nuevo Tun Tun: Puerto Rican tripleta sandwiches and more; Facebook

El Sabor De La Vida Tacos: Authentic tacos and enchiladas; 13602 W. Colonial Drive (across from Kmart); 407-242-7143

Firehouse BBQ: DeLand truck began as a competition barbecue team; Facebook and @TheFireHouseBBQ on Twitter

Fish Out of Water Sushi Truck: Local restaurant veterans prepare fresh sushi; Facebook and @FishOutOfWater8 on Twitter

Fro2Go: Frozen yogurt with toppings, vegan sorbets, cookies; Facebook, fro2gotruck.com website under construction and @fro2gotruck on Twitter

Gastro-Truck: Chefs Catarina Triacca and Lori Bragg sell gourmet grilled cheese; Facebook, gastro-truck.com and @GastroTrina on Twitter

Gator Country BBQ: Florida-style barbecue for catering and food-truck events; 407-230-0621, Facebook and tnsculinary.com

Juanchos Grill: Colombian hamburgers, hot dogs and more; look for the fire-engine red truck on East Colonial Drive just west of Alafaya Trail; Facebook

Kalbi hau5: Asian barbecue with a gourmet twist; Facebook, kalbihau5.com and @kalbihau5 on Twitter

Korean BBQ Taco Box: Four trucks with different locations in Central Florida specializing in Korean fare with a Mexican twist; Facebook, kbbqbox.com and @koreanbbq_2011 on Twitter

Kuko Christian Food Truck: fresh barbecue pork kebabs, burgers and more: 7958 E. Colonial Drive in Orlando; 407-968-3244

Le Empanada: Specialty empanadas, seasonal soups and salads; 325 S. Orlando Ave., Winter Park; Facebook, laempanadatruck.com under construction and @laempanadatruck on Twitter

Mama’s Fixin’s: Soul food and barbecue; 407-451-2569 and Facebook

Melissa’s Chicken and Waffles: Specialty waffle sandwiches; Facebook

Mil’s Latin American Café: Burgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, fries, onion rings and a variety of Latin foods; Friday and Saturday evenings in the Oakridge Road and south Rio Grande Avenue area and other places; Facebook

Monsta Lobsta: Lobster rolls and salad and more; Facebook, monstalobsta.net and @monstalonsta on Twitter

One Love Kitchen: Caribbean and Jamaican jerk fare; often found in the Pine Hills area near 5001 W. Colonial Drive in Orlando

Pinones En Orlando: Stuffed mofongos and more at on the corner of Curry Ford and Conway roads; Facebook

Pupusas: Salvadoran stuffed tortillas at 12962 W. Colonial Drive in Winter Garden; @pupusasorlando on Twitter

Red Eye BBQ: All meats are seasoned and slow-cooked over an assortment of aromatic woods; Facebook, redeyebbq.com and @Redeyebbq on Twitter

Sunset Ice: Specialty Italian ice truck based in Merritt Island; Facebook

SwedeDISH Food Truck: Authentic Swedish cuisine on the go; Facebook, swededishfoodtruck.com and @SwedeDishTruck on Twitter

Tastebuds Catering: Every Saturday at the Winter Park Farmers Market; tastebuds-catering.com and Facebook

The Crepe Co.: Fresh-made sweet and savory crepes; 407-792-3566, Facebook, thecrepecompany.com and @TheCrepeCompany on Twitter

The Crooked Spoon: Traditional quick serve with a gourmet twist; Facebook and @TheCrookedSpn on Twitter

The London Fish & Chippy: Lake County-based authentic English fish and chips; 352-406-4645 and Facebook

The Taco Co.: aka The Taco Lady, serving up authentic Mexican food at west Colonial Drive and Marshall Farms Road in Ocoee; 407-506-6570 and Facebook

Travelling Gourmet: Mobile commercial kitchen operated by Chef Silvia, an honors graduate from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary College; 321-262-6628, Facebook and travellinggourmetinc.com

Treehouse Truck: Gourmet sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs and more; Facebook and @treehousetruck on Twitter

Twisted Cuban: Alex Flores’ fusion of Spanish, African and Caribbean cuisine; Twisted Cuban on Facebook, @TwistedCubanmft on Twitter

Uncle Jones’ BBQ: Located on the former site of the legendary restaurant of the same name, 1370 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs; Facebook

Vegan Hot Dog Cart: Features American standards such as hot dogs and burgers at 59 N. Orange Ave in downtown Orlando; @vegandog on Twitter

We All Scream Vegan Ice Cream Cart: Dairy-free frozen desserts; Facebook and @_WeAllScream_ on Twitter

Winter Park Fish Co.: Popular restaurant takes to the streets in its mobile kitchen; Facebook, thewinterparkfishco.com and @WinterPrkFishCo on Twitter

Yum Yum Cupcake: Creative little cakes with a gourmet twist; Facebook, theyumyumcupcaketruck.com and @yumyumtruck_fl on Twitter

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment/restaurants/os-cal-orlando-food-trucks-guide-20111007,0,1808314,full.story

The Gastro-Truck is joining Firestone Live’s weekly Tastes and Sounds of Downtown event.

I think we can finally say that the City Beautiful has created its own corner of food truck heaven.

Two new food truck events are set to hit Central Florida starting next week. Mark Baratelli of TheDailyCity.com, organizer of the ever-popular Food Truck Bazaar events with 20-plus vendors, plans to start his first weekly food truck gathering in Dr. Phillips on Aug. 31 at the Jewish Community Center. The “Big Six” of Big Wheel Truck, The Yum Yum Cupcake Truck, Treehouse Truck, Winter Park Fish Co., Korean BBQ Taco Box and The Crooked Spoon — who already gather weekly at pods in Maitland and Winter Park — will be the featured mobile eateries at the new pod.

Ream more: http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2011/08/food-trucks-spread-to-dr-phillips.html