Season 18 premiered on Food Network in May 2024
The Great Food Truck Race Season 18 began airing on Food Network on May 9, 2024. The season follows the same format as previous years: five teams of two people each compete in a cross-country race, starting with a small cash amount and using food truck sales to fund their journey to the finish line.
New episodes aired weekly on Food Network during the spring and early summer of 2024. If you missed the live broadcast, episodes became available on Food Network's streaming platform and through on-demand services tied to cable providers that carry Food Network.
Key Takeaways
- Season 18 premiered on May 9, 2024, on Food Network with weekly episode releases throughout the season.
- The competition format remains unchanged: five teams start with seed money and must earn additional funds through food truck sales as they travel across the country.
- Episodes are available through Food Network's streaming options and on-demand services for those who cannot watch live broadcasts.
- Host Guy Fieri returns to lead the competition and interact with the teams at various checkpoints along the route.
How to watch Season 18 episodes
Food Network airs new episodes on a weekly schedule during the season. You can watch live on the Food Network channel if you have cable or satellite service that includes it. Check your local TV listings for the exact day and time in your area, as broadcast times can vary by region.
If you do not have cable access or prefer to watch on your own schedule, Food Network's streaming platform allows you to watch full episodes. You will need a subscription or a cable login to access the full episode library. Some cable providers also offer on-demand viewing through their own apps or websites — check with your provider to see what is included with your service.
What happens in Season 18
Each episode follows the teams as they move to a new city or region. At each stop, teams must decide what food to prepare and sell from their truck, manage their budget, and compete in challenges set by the show. The challenges often require teams to cook specific dishes or meet unusual customer demands while racing against the clock.
Teams earn money from food sales and challenge winnings. The team with the least money at each checkpoint faces elimination. The winning team receives a cash prize at the end of the season. Along the way, host Guy Fieri appears at checkpoints to announce challenges, judge food quality, and interact with the competing teams.
The competition format and rules
All five teams start with the same seed money — typically a few thousand dollars — and must use that to purchase food, fuel, and supplies for their truck. Unlike other competition shows, teams earn money by actually selling food to real customers, not from the show itself. This means their success depends on both cooking skill and business decisions.
At each checkpoint, teams report their earnings. The team with the lowest total is eliminated. This continues until one team remains. Teams can also win bonus money by winning daily challenges, which gives them a financial cushion and keeps the competition close throughout the season.
Host and judging
Guy Fieri hosts and judges Season 18, as he has for every season of the show. Fieri appears at checkpoints to announce challenges and evaluate the food teams prepare. His role is both to keep teams on track and to provide commentary on their cooking and business decisions.
Guest judges sometimes appear in specific episodes or challenges, particularly when teams are cooking in cities known for specific cuisines. These judges bring local informed and help evaluate whether teams are respecting regional food traditions while competing under time pressure.
Where the race takes place
The Great Food Truck Race covers different routes each season. Season 18 follows teams across multiple states and regions of the United States. The exact route and cities visited are revealed as the season progresses, with each episode showing a new leg of the journey.
The starting point and ending point vary by season. Teams typically travel for several weeks, stopping in major cities and smaller towns. The variety of locations means teams must adapt their menus and cooking style to different regional tastes and customer bases as they move across the country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch Season 18 without cable?
Yes. Food Network's streaming service allows you to watch full episodes with a subscription. Some cable providers also offer on-demand access through their apps if you have an active cable login. Check Food Network's website for current streaming options and pricing.
How many episodes are in Season 18?
Food Network typically produces eight to ten episodes per season of The Great Food Truck Race, though the exact number can vary. Check the Food Network schedule or streaming platform for the complete episode count for Season 18.
Who won Season 18?
The winner is revealed in the final episode of the season. If you have not watched the finale yet and want to avoid spoilers, check Food Network's official website or social media accounts for the announcement after the final episode airs.
Do the teams keep their food trucks after the show?
The food trucks are provided by the show for the duration of the competition. Teams do not keep the trucks after the race ends. However, winning teams receive a cash prize that they can use however they choose, including starting their own food business if they wish.
How are teams selected for the show?
Food Network accepts applications from people interested in competing. The selection process looks for teams with cooking skills, business sense, and personalities that work well on television. Details about how the process works for future seasons are posted on Food Network's official website.