Sorry for the delay, I’m waiting for the pictures so hold tight and I should have a recap soon. Both chefs did a amazing job!! Thanks to everyone that came out to support the Truck Stop and gave money to Three Square. I’ll be in touch.
JO
**
A little Vino + Yummy Grub = BOH BRAWL, SOMMELIER EDITION
Chef Conlon of FIX is back and ready to throw down once again at the TRUCK STOP. Chef Conlon aka CHUNK, defeated Chef Pat Hodge of N9NE earlier this year. Now we have two Chris’ going head to head for the Back Of The House Brawl this Saturday. This is Chef Starkus’s first time battling but he is familiar with what goes down at Tommy Rockers so I’m sure he is ready to put up a good fight.
Chef Chris Starkus of RM Seafood
Chef Chris Conlon of FIX at the Bellagio
The Featured guest is David Arthur Winery. David Arthur travels across the country once a year to showcase his wine and this year they are making a stop at the TRUCK STOP to serve all of our guest his delicious juice. It’s not often that you can jump on a motor home meet the owner of a winery and drink his wine over small talk in the desert. Kinda Cool…
Because the winery is involved it only made sense to add a twist to the challenge and have the chefs pair their dish with one of the wines that David will be pouring. Each chef is going to have a team of Three, one chef is actually a SOMMELIER/wine specialist so he can hep guide the chef in the right direction for the pairing.
Don’t for get that both chefs will show up to Tommy Rockers to sell food for 1 hour, 1-2am to raise money for Three Square. The chefs are free to sell whatever they want for this part of competition as long as it pairs with David Arthur’s wine.
*****Chef Chris of FIX will be cooking from REDNECK KITCHEN
*****Chef Chris of RM Seafood will be cooking from LOLA D’s KITCHEN
*****other food trucks selling will be COAST 2 COAST DELI & HAULIN BALLS
The TRUCK STOP always starts at 8pm but the BOH Brawl will start at 1am.
David Arthur will be at the TRUCK STOP EARLY so come and hang out with me!!!
4275 Dean Martin Dr @ TOMMY ROCKERS!
PASS the WORD, love ya!
Jo
Last Saturday the Back Of the House Brawl was between Team Olives led by Chef Jaime Mendoza and Team Todd English P.U.B. led by Chef Jamie Pruitt. As always the chefs cook off of the food trucks from the night and Chef Jamie was paired with the Redneck Kitchen & Chef Jaime and his team was working from Lola D’s Kitchen.
Each chef sold chili dogs from 1-2am to raise money for Three Square and they were ALL Juicy and DELICIOUS!
A pic of OLIVES DOGS»>
The Chili Dogs were just the start. At 1:30 Chef Jamie of the PUB and Chef Jaime of Olives were pulled from the food trucks to receive their mystery basket. I took the liberty to chose the ingredients this week. I gave them Hot & Juicy Crawfish, Taro Root, frozen orange concentrate and Szh Chuan beancurd.
By 1:30 I was pretty liquored up, it was a Crown Night. Luckily I just eat and I NEVER JUDGE the chefs. The judges for the evening were: JIM BEGLEY, aka @Splurgemonkey on twitter and food writer for the Las Vegas Weekly; Chef Roy Ellamar of SENSI at the Bellagio && we had a guest judge Chef Alex, you may remember him from Top Chef..
Begley and Grace.
Chef Roy.. Who doesn’t like to suck the heads? Flayvvvvaa….
This was Olive’s Dish and it was packed with flavor but the PUB took the WIN.. Both amazing dishes but at the end of the day one one person can take the PBR Trophy home.
Preview of the night..
That’s Ernie, sommelier extraordinair..
Lisa from Roamin dough eating BRAD’s award winning chili… sorry if you missed it. Lisa was kind enough to make it a special for the night and if you tasted it you would understand that it is ADDICTIVE. I’ll give you a head up for the next chili appearance. By The way he used my Hatch Chiles so you know it was good.
This is Brad, of the Award Winning Chili….. Don’t Judge, he was on The Crown also. 
Mario claiming the Win… Great job Chef!
Chef Vincent from Aureole and Chef Steve from L’Atelier
YUUUMMMM» juicy dogs..
Shot out to Sheff’s Kitchen,
Thanks to everyone that supports the TRUCK STOP as a COMMUNITY event. Thanks to all the Food TRUCKS for coming out late night to feed the Industry late night. Thanks to everyone that purchased Chili Dogs to raise money for our LOCAL FOOD BANK Three Square. It means a lot to have these amazing chefs to spend their time after work tobring everyone together. The next BOH BRAWL IS AUGUST 18TH. Chef of Fix against the Chef of RM Seafood, the twist WINE TASTING for our Vino lovers.
I hope to see you all at the next TRUCK STOP. Keep passing the word, it’s just little ole me trying to keep this going so I need your support. The Truck Stop runs weekly at Tommy Rockers. A Truck Stop for Food trucks to serve late night Eat to Industry for nothing less than a good time. Enjoy!
Best,
Jo
August 4th is the next Back Of the House Brawl at the TRUCK STOP. Join us and watch the executive Chef Jaime Mendoza of Olives battle Jamie Pruitt, executive chef of Todd English P.U.B. Just like the last Brawl each chef will sell their interpretation of street food from 1-2am and they will create a dish for the judges from a mystery basket in 30 minutes. The event is going to benefit Three square so buy from both teams to help us raise money. Last event the chefs raised $913 in 1 hour!!
As always the event starts at 8pm and the BOH BRAWL will begin at 1am. The Food Trucks are going to be Lola D’s Kitchen, Redneck Kitchen, Quality Food service, Roaming Dough and Sheff’s Kitchen.
Follow me on twitter @sloppijos and @sntruckstop for updates.
Pass the word!! We are bring the community a little closer each week with food and spirits. Tommy Rockers is located at 4275 DeanMartin Dr. Thanks to all the chefs and service industry that supports the weekly TRUCK STOP.. Vegas in the RAW:)
I’ll see you there!
Jo
Chef Steve and Chef Stephan, Team MGM
Saturday July 14th was the French Independence day and to celebrate the Truck Stop hosted the Back Of the House Brawl, French Chef Edition. It is always amazing to have such accomplished chefs at the Truck Stop hanging out and participating in the BOH BRAWL but to have 6 chefs in one competition was outrageous! The chefs came together to form two teams, MGM vs Mandalay Bay. Team MGM consisted of Chef Claude of Joe Robuchon, Chef Steve of L’Atlelier and Chef Stephane of Shibuya and Team Mandalay Bay were top chefs Vincent of Aureole, Laurent of Fleur and Bruno from MIx. I was frequently asked “How did I get all 6 chefs to commit?” The truth is they all wanted to do this battle. After Chef Steve Benjamin’s victory against the Chef of the Mansions a few months ago he asked if we could put together a French Battle and after seeing Chef Vincent at TASTE he recommended Bastille Day for the Brawl and it was on. It was surreal to me that I met all the chefs for a meeting at Joel Robuchon, of course they were speaking French most of the time but as a female I was ok with that, it added to my experience;)
Entrance to Joel Robuchon.. While trying to look relaxed and I elbowed Chef Claude in the face and almost took Chef Steve down… sorry boys
The night was a huge success, the bar at Tommy Rockers was packed the Food trucks turned a profit we raised $913 for Three Square in 1 hour, the chefs had a blast, and our guests ( Industry ) had the chance to have some tasty food from the local chefs. I could have not been happier with the turn out. Thanks to everyone that came out and supported the TRUCK STOP.
The biggest THANKS goes to our chefs who worked extra hard after their Saturday night shift to serve the community and raise money for our local food bank. If you have never been on a food truck in July it is not a desired spot. It wasn’t has hot as usual but it was extra humid and I could probably say that the chefs have not sweat that much in a while. Even though they work hard in their kitchens AC is available.
The Competition, Chef Mathieu of Guy Savoy was nice enough to chose the secret ingredients for the BOH BRAWL. In the basket was baby squid, rice cakes, slim jim, red cabbage and sunflower seeds. Chef Mathieu and his BOH staff are no strangers to the TRUCK STOP and he was a winner of the BOH BRAWL when we first started the chef competition. Chef definitely did not take it easy on his friends with this basket. The lucky judges were Susan Stapleton of EATER, Al Mancini food Critic & writer at City LIfe, Jim Begley, writer for the Weekly and a last minute judge Sebastian Silvestri from the Venetian and Palazzo.
First of all the chefs were serving their own interpretation of street food made with DUCK from their chosen Food truck from 1-2am. Team MGM took over Ben’s BBQ and Team Mandalay Bay chose Redneck Kitchen. Whomever sold the most food and raised the most money for Three square won a bar tab from Tommy Rockers. For this Leg of the competition Mandalay Bay won!! The total brought in was $913 and Just over $500 was from Mandalay Bay’s truck.
SICK!!! $6 got you a tasting of Duck!
Team Mandalay Bay prepping their Foie Gras Tacos.
Chef Bruno getting ready to get slammed with orders.
Chef Claude on Ben’d BBQ.
Chef Vincent, Bruno and Laurent
Crowd shot from the REDNECK KITCHEN.
Chef Tim of Old Homestead and wife with the executive chef of Gordon Ramsay, Keven Hee.
Interview time… Al Mancini getting his story with Rd Tracy, GM Nob Hill.
My Girl rockin her Sloppi Jo shirt, “EAT ME I”M DELICIOUS!” luv ya
Chef Roy of Sensi and Chef Jason Johnston with the Beautiful Gina Gavin, tribal minds and downtown girl
OKay… Back to food, I got carried away..
Team Mandalay Bay.. creative dish for judges. Why wouldn’t they bring truffles to the TRUCK STOP.
Team MGM’s Winning dish… winner of the magnificent PBR trophy.
Chef Claude, Stephane and Steve!! Great job Chefs!!
The next BOH BRAWL is set for August 4th, OLIVES vs TODD ENGLISH PUB….
And August 18th, Sommelier Edition
I hope to see you there, pass the word and keep this party going on… The TRUCK STOP is a weekly event set up to serve late night EATS from 8-2:30 always at Tommy Rockers on Dean Martin Dr.
I’ll leave you with this… Love you all:) sorry Cali come to Vegas for your Foie Gras cravings
** Special thanks to Tim for filming the Brawl, Susan Stapleton for the love from EATER, Dom Scali “the Vegas Foodie” for the help with pics, Jim Begley and Al Mancini for judging and write ups &&& Josh Clark for tripping over the microphone cord and falling into the table while I was announcing the winner of the BOH BRAWL. The event continues on because I have so many friends that want to help bring community together one bite at a time.
Any comments or questions?? Do you have a chef that wants to participate? email me jolene@sloppijos.com or ask on twitter
@sloppijos
@sntruckstop
@jolenemannina
So after meeting with ALL 6 chefs at once we have decided to make the French Battle a MGM vs Mandalay Bay throw down. Two teams working off of two trucks… A mystery basket will be given to both teams and they will have 30 minutes to create a dish for the judges. Each team will also be selling their own interpretation of street food from 1-2am to raise money for Three Square.
Team MGM: Team Mandalay Bay:
Joel Robuchon Aureole
L’Atelier Mix
Shibuya Fluer
I can’t wait to see everyone at Tommy Rockers!!!
Line up of Food Trucks:
Redneck Kitchen
Coast 2 Coast
Just Rollin
Ben’s BBQ
SnOwOnO Shaved Ice
SAVE THE DATE…… JULY 14TH ….BACK OF THE HOUSE BRAWL
6 French Chefs 6 Food Trucks at Tommy Rockers on July 14th….. I am honored to have such amazing, well established chefs support the Truck Stop!!!
In honor of Bastille Day the BOH BRAWL is going to be dedicated to a few of our amazing local French Chefs. If you fancy your self a “foodie” then you do not want to miss this. The BOH BRAWL is not going to be the normal set up…No Mystery Basket…each chef will sell his own street food 1-2am so you have the opportunity to taste creations from all the chefs. All 6 French chefs will be paired with a food truck which will act as their kitchen for 1 hour and they be judged on their dish and how many portions they sell. The BOH BRAWL that evening is going to benefit Three Square so don’t be afraid to spend, it’s for a good cause.
Here is your line up of Chefs:
Chef of Aureole, Vincent Poussel
Chef of L’Atelier and also a previous winner of the BOH BRAWL, Steve Benjamin
Chef of Fluer, Laurent Pillard
Chef of Shibuya, Stephan Chevet
Chef of Joel Robuchon, Claude - LeTohic
Chef of Mix, Bruno Riou
Your line up of FOOD TRUCKS:
REDNECK KITCHEN
COAST 2 COAST DELI
BEN’S BBQ
JUST ROLLIN
SNOWONO SHAVED ICE
**** Reminder***** the TRUCK STOP runs EVERY Saturday at Tommy Rockers, 4275 Dean Martin. The Trucks arrive at 8pm and stay until 2:30am.. A big THANKS goes out to Tommy Rockers for letting the Food trucks take over his parking lot every Saturday since last July… PASS THE WORD!!!!! support your local and keep bringing community together;)
I hope to see you at the TRUCK STOP!
EVERY SATURDAY 8-2:30am… you want late night EATs after work? Stop by Tommy Rockers on your way home from the Strip on Saturday and go crazy. The Truck Stop is a local hang out for the Vegas Food Trucks. The round up starts at 8pm so you can bring your friends and family early or visit us late for yet another cocktail and yummy food. Last week two trucks from LA joined us, Pogi Boy and Fluff Ice, I just want ti say thanks for stopping by and supporting the Truck Stop. Redneck Kitchen and Coast 2 Cost Deli were also spotted at the Truck Stop!! The Rednecks are very familiar with Tommy Rockers and we all love their Naked Burritos but Coast 2 Coast made there first appearance last Saturday and great reviews.
Stay tuned for our next BOH BRAWL !!! The last battle was a huge success!! Chef Josh Crain of Nob Hill took the win against Chef Mike Armstrong of Tao. They both did a amazing job and the food was spot on. Thanks to both Chefs for taking the time to support the Truck Stop. If you did not attend, the last battle was STREET FOOD SERVED ON A STICK &&&& they got a mystery basket to create one dish for the judges.
I hope Chef Josh made his mark on the traveling trophy because it will be coming back to Tommy Rockers soon for the next BRAWL.
Pass the word and invite everyone to Tommy Rockers on Saturdays for the TRUCK STOP!!!
Love ya,
Jo
The last winner of the Back Of the House Brawl was Chef Mike of Border Grill. The PBR trophy has made a home for itself at Border Grill inside Mandalay Bay for the last few weeks but it’s time to get the competition going once again. May 12th the Saturday Night Truck Stop is honored to have Chef Mike Armstrong and Chef Josh Crain battle on the food trucks.
In one corner.. Chef Josh Crain. Representing Nob HIll/Seablue!
And in the other corner Chef Mike Armstrong of TAO.
When the BOH BRAWL started each chef received a mystery basket of ingredients to create one or two dished for the judges using the food trucks as their kitchen but now the chefs are teamed up with a food truck in advance so they can come ready to sell their own street food for 1 hour, letting everyone in the crowd have the chance to experience the ridiculous late night eats. The last brawl was battle GRILLED CHEESE. Chef Roy of Sensi and Chef Mike of Border Grill had a blast at 1am pumping out their interpretation of the best grilled cheese but at the end of the day there could only be one winner and Mike took it.
The BOH BRAWL on May 12th each chef will be selling their own interpretation of STREET FOOD ON A STICK! Each chef can create whatever they want as long as it is served on a stick. They Judges will be Jim Begley, writer for the weekly & Al Mancini, Vegas’s food critic and Donna Rocker of Tommy Rockers. You can follow both of the guys daily on twitter.. Jim Begley aka @splurgemonkey, Al Mancini is @almancinivegas and @DonnaRocker. Al also has a live webcast every Thursday @7pm, Top Of The Food Chain. The chefs will be judged on a point system, 5 points for taste, 5 points for creativity and 5 points best interpretation of street food, a total of 15 points.
Chef Mike Armstrong will be serving his street food from the FUKUBURGER truck and Chef Josh Crain will be cooking on LOLA D’s Kitchen. The REDNECK Kitchen and SnOwOnO will also be at Tommy Rockers for your pleasure;)
AS ALWAYS…. spread the word, the food trucks will be at TOMMY ROCKERS, 4275 DEAN MARTIN @8pm until 2:30am…. BOH BRAWL starts at 1am.
The TRUCK STOP was designed for service industry to have late night eats BUUUTTTT the event is for EVERYONE so invite your friend and family to join us and cheer for your favorite chef, enjoy cheap booze in Vegas and stuff your face with yummy grub.
I look forward to seeing you!
Jo
