An RTÉ Player Original, Battle of the Food Trucks returned this year to find Ireland's finest food truck.
Once again, six of the country's top food trucks went head-to-head in an intense culinary competition in order to find out who could handle the heat and create the best eating experience to deserve the ultimate prize of €5,000 prize money.
The food truck owners were put through their culinary paces by judges Eric Matthews and Gráinne Mullins over the course of six episodes. Some of the challenges included creating their competitors signature dish, creating a delicious dish from a mystery box of ingredients and a blind taste challenge.
Beating out Los Chicanos, Soul Roll Sushi, Ginger's BBQ, The Salt Project and Bahay was Cork-based food truck Spice Genie.
The man behind the truck is Christopher Braganza, a man who is passionate about making home cooked and authentic Indian food.
Originally from India, Christopher moved to Ireland in 2012 with the support of his brother, Paul, who was already living here and working as a nurse manager in A&E in University Hospital Cork.
Paul has been incredibly supportive of his brother, and lent Christopher the money to buy Spice Genie food truck. Christopher has previously worked as a pastry chef at the Cliff house under head chef, Kwangi Chan, and even featured with him in an episode of Masterchef in 2014.
Speaking on his win, Christopher said: "Winning this title really means the world to me. First of all I’m representing Goa, my family, India, Cork, my suppliers and my customers and everybody has been a part of this journey. I really thank everybody who’s been there through the ups and downs - through bad weather and good weather they always show up and encourage me to do what I love the most! It really means a lot to me - I’m honoured."
Runner up Scott Holder of Los Chicanos said: "I’m delighted for Christopher - we both cooked our hearts you know, he obviously pulled out some amazing food. To be honest with you I just wanted to get to the final because I wanted to put all those dishes out in front of the judges. I’ve done that, they loved them, it was an adventure with twists and turns and I met a lot of cool people."
Battle of the Food Trucks host with the most James Patrice said, "Each of our chefs were utterly outstanding in their talent, passion and sensational skills - not to mention the fact that they were all mighty craic! The finale was the definition of a nail biter (I’m flat out on the manicures since) and to see the culmination of Scott and Christopher’s journeys in such a feast of fabulous food was an absolute joy."
"All hail King Chris and his incredible Spice Genie food truck! We’ve had amazing feedback from audiences and on social media, which further proves that Ireland’s love for food trucks is only getting bigger and better. Sure we’re full of notions altogether! Of course, Justine and I still can’t fry an egg to save our lives but look - we’ll keep her lit!"
Co-host and comedian Justine Stafford said: "I can’t wait to visit his truck in Cork and inhale every dish on the menu. He was a spice genie and a gent and I’m not saying it helped his luck, but he also had one of the best novelty sock ranges of any contestant… either way he cooked his socks off and we are delighted to see where he and his truck go next!"
All episodes of series two of Battle of the Food Trucks, are now available to binge watch on the RTÉ Player – word of the wise though – don't watch it while you’re hungry! (Unless you live near a food truck and can satisfy your cravings!)
Battle of the Food Trucks is an RTÉ Player Original and proudly sponsored by 7UP Free.
