Maryland Food Truck Week In Baltimore April 12-21
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Maryland Food Truck Week kicks off Friday night and proceeds benefit a local nonprofit that helps Baltimore's senior citizens and those with chronic health conditions and disabilities.
There's something to suit virtually everyone's appetite. If pork pleases your palate, there's the Smoking Swine.
"I'm a big fan of alliteration," said L. Drew Pumphrey, when asked about the name.
Pumphrey owns the Smoking Swine Food Truck.
Customers are big fans of his, too. Guy Fieri ate at his truck on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Street Eats: The Top 5 Food Trucks And Carts In Baltimore
"The most genuine dude," he said of Fieri. "He has more respect and love for small businesses and small restaurant owners."
That goes for food trucks, too -- the fastest growing venue in the restaurant industry.
"It's a tough job," said Willy Dely, the organizer of Maryland Food Truck Week. "They work all day long from shopping, prepping, cooking, cleaning, marketing. So those are long days but its a good opportunity for people who have culinary talent to showcase their art."
That art is their specialty.
"It's not like you're going into a diner with a 30-page menu," said Pumphrey. "We do only barbecue and we do barbecue really really well."
"If you go to somebody who does grilled cheese, they do grilled cheese really well. Somebody who does wings does the best wings you've ever had," he said. "People get an experience that's been curated by someone who really knows what they're doing."
It's a chance to do some exploring and it is a chance to give back.
This food truck week benefits Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland.
The celebration goes from April 12-21.
The first event is Friday night from 5 to 9 p.m. where local foodies can enjoy some delicious dishes from local food trucks down at Port Covington.
Six food trucks vendors are participating Friday.
The event is free to get in.
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