Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race is back for another season, this time featuring a team of three Long Island natives Kate Wurtzel, Harry Poole, and April Nothdurft.
Hosted by Chef Tyler Florence, Season 13 takes place in chilly Alaska where the daily temperature averaged 14.3 degrees Fahrenheit. In this culinary adventure, set to premiere on March 7, food truck teams will incorporate local ingredients into their menus during the six to eight-week challenges. The teams with the highest earnings move on to the next week for a chance to win $50,000.
“Once Covid delayed the opportunity to compete in March of 2020, and the months passed by, it felt as though the opportunity was lost,” said Chef Harry Poole, who oversees kitchens at Jackson’s in Commack and Morrison’s in Plainview.
That’s why it came as a shock to the crew when Food Network approved filming for the new season last November. Chef Poole’s wife and communication specialist, Shelby Poole from Blue Point Brewing Company in Patchogue designed the team’s logo and branding. Their concept? Breakfast for Dinner (BFD).
The BFD team’s wide-ranging experience in the restaurant industry proves useful for the competition. Mixologist and world-traveler April Nothdurft from The Brixton in Babylon serves as outside sales and public relations liaison for the team. Nothdurft also worked with Chef Poole at Jackson’s.
“We are SO. PUMPED. to officially announce that the totally awesome Harry Poole will be appearing on the upcoming season of the @foodnetwork Great Food Truck Race with his awesome team @bfdfoodtruck,” Morrison’s restaurant tweeted on Feb. 7.
Kate Wurtzel, founder of Keep It Spicy in Smithtown, is a sous chef, location scout, social media manager, and marketer who sees this opportunity as a “major growth event.” Wurtzel’s small-batch spice blends brought flavor and warmth to the team’s menu and according to Keep it Spicy, their Hawaiian, Creole and blackened spice blends will be featured on the show.
Look out for BFD’s pink food truck and the crew’s matching caps when Food Network’s Great Food Truck Race airs on March 7 at 10 p.m.
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