Food trucks continue to be on a roll, trending big time at public, private, corporate and community events. If you haven’t incorporated them into your event yet, you’re going to want to reconsider your plans for this upcoming summer season. With a nearly limitless selection of foods from which to choose — gourmet to goodies, appetizers to desserts and everything in between — they’re portable, delicious and just plain fun. Tami Cabrera of Muddy Paws Cheesecake — who is launching Camp Cheesecake the third week of June, a food truck that will drive up delicious cheesecake desserts at any kind of gathering — offers her insights on adding food trucks to your event.
Q. Tell me about Muddy Paws and what you do there?
A. Muddy Paws Cheesecake has been in business over twenty years now, offering artisan cheesecakes made from scratch utilizing fresh, local ingredients. Customers can choose from 222 flavors on our menu and over 400 that we haven’t even listed. We’re the only company that ships vegan cheesecake and offers a large gluten-free selection with over five flavors. We ship to and serve the general public at events, weddings, and private gatherings, as well as sell nationwide to restaurants and corporate catering companies.
Q. Tell me about Camp Cheesecake?
A. We have cheesecake, will travel, because a camp without cheesecake is just a meeting. Camp Cheesecake is our food truck, a camper that serves cheesecake. We feel like it’s a good way to reach the public, perform some community outreach, and do some fundraising events. We’re hoping to have at least three trucks over the next year and between five and ten in next two years. It’s great fun, and the time is right to launch what is the first cheesecake food truck ever.
Q. How can a planner incorporate a food truck into their event?
A. For something like a wedding or a corporate event, they could pre-buy a number of servings to hand out to guests. Another option is to give guests a ticket, not unlike a drink ticket that can be redeemed for food truck fare. Or, they can have the food truck straight out sell food at their event. It’s important that there is some flexibility when bringing a food truck into one’s event. With Camp Cheesecake, we will negotiate fees to make it work for a planner’s budget. We can serve any number of people and will go anywhere in the Twin Cities, and even some outlying areas.
Q. What types of food trucks are you seeing at events? Are there a wide variety of foods being offered?
A. I went to an event last week that had four food trucks. One truck was the Taste of the Twins, but there were many other wonderful choices too. People just loved it! Last year, we did a wedding at which Potter’s Pasties Truck was selling pasties and it was so much fun. The thing is, it’s expensive to operate a restaurant or bakery in a brick and mortar store front. A food truck demands far less overhead, so it’s advantageous for everyone.
Q. What are some tips for planners who want a food truck at their event?
A. Have a good idea of head count so we’re prepared with enough food, because we can’t just run back to the bakery to pick up more. Also, communicate your expectations, if you want to use tickets, or pre-order certain flavors, etc. Make sure there’s an electric hook up and dumping stations for the truck. And also make sure that parking is okay with the fire department and that all permits are in place. Finally, consider a weather related clause - if it should rain, will the event be rescheduled?
