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Scouting Street Eats: Finding the Best Food Trucks for Your Event

Street food has become increasingly popular at events, offering guests unique and delicious options beyond the usual catering fare. From food trucks to carts, street food can bring variety, local flavor, and excitement to any event. As an event planner, finding the right street food vendors to partner with is key to creating a memorable experience for your guests. Here are some tips on how to find and select street food suppliers for your next event:

Define Your Event Goals and Audience:
First, think about the type of event you are planning and who will be attending. Factors like event size, formality, time of day, and guest demographics will impact the kind of street food that will be most appropriate. A corporate lunch event will require different offerings than a music festival catering to young adults, for example. Define your goals for including street food – is it for novelty, supporting local businesses, or bringing international flavors? Knowing this will help guide your vendor search.

Search Local Listings and Directories:
A great starting point is to search online directories and listing sites specifically for street food vendors in your area. Sites like Roaming Hunger allow you to search by city and filter by cuisine type, dietary needs, and service options. You can browse vendor profiles with menus, pricing, and reviews. Other sites like Mobile Cuisine Magazine offer comprehensive national street food vendor directories. Search under categories like “catering” or your city name.

Attend Local Food Festivals and Markets:
Check out food truck gatherings, night markets, and food festivals in your area. These events are prime opportunities to sample street food from multiple vendors at once to find options that align with your event vision. Approach vendors in person to inquire about their catering and private event services. The face-to-face interaction can help you gauge their professionalism and interest in working with you.

Search Social Media and Ask for Referrals:
These days, most street food vendors promote their businesses on social media. Search platforms like Instagram and Facebook for local mobile food businesses in your area, and scroll through their posts to get a feel for their style and menu offerings. Reach out to vendors directly through DMs or comments to inquire about event catering. Additionally, ask caterers, venue contacts, and food truck associations for street food vendor referrals. People in the local food scene will have insight on reputable businesses.

Evaluate Options and Capabilities:
Once you have a list of potential street food suppliers, inquire about their capabilities and costs for your event. Consider important logistics like:

Menu variety – Do they have enough options to serve your entire guest count?
Service style – Are they equipped for buffet-style serving or passed appetizers?
Timing – Can they accommodate your event agenda for setup/breakdown?
Staffing – Will they provide enough staff for the event size?
Licensing – Do they have all required permits and insurance to cater at your venue?
Pricing – How does their pricing fit your catering budget?

By asking detailed questions upfront, you can determine if vendors are truly capable of handling your specific event needs.

Discuss Menu and Customization Options:
Meet with top vendor picks to discuss menu options. Many street food businesses are willing to customize menus or develop special event items. Share your vision and see if they can either create customized menus or modify their existing offerings to suit your event theme, season or purpose. Belgian waffle makers may be able to use event colors in their waffle batter, for example. Communicate any dietary restrictions like vegetarian, gluten-free, or vegan needs so vendors can accommodate.

Compile Tasting Samples and Testimonials:
Before making a final vendor decision, request tasting samples from street food suppliers you are seriously considering. By sampling their signature dishes firsthand, you’ll have a better idea of their flavor profiles and food quality. Ask vendors for past client references and testimonials as well. Follow up with their clients to get feedback on their professionalism, responsiveness, and overall event execution.

Review Proposals and Sign a Contract:
For the vendor(s) you wish to move forward with, request an official event catering proposal outlining the services, menu details, timelines, and itemized costs. Compare proposals to align with your budget and goals. Once you decide on your street food supplier(s), sign a contract outlining the agreed upon details like date, location, menu, quantities, staffing, insurance, payment terms, cancellation policy, and applicable permits.

Coordinate and Communicate Leading Up To the Event:
About a month out, touch base with your street food vendor(s) to discuss timelines, event logistics, dietary needs, etc. Maintain open communication channels leading up to your event date. Adjust menus or quantities if needed based on latest headcounts. Confirm event order, delivery times, setup needs, and points of contact. Vendors will likely want to do a final walkthrough of the event site as well.

By taking these steps to thoroughly vet and thoughtfully select your street food suppliers, you can curate a dynamic, delicious menu that brings the flavors of the streets to your special event! Your guests will be wowed by the variety and quality of food options.