Jay’s Good Grub competed at the Kentucky Food Truck Championship this weekend, and they’re bringing home some hardware. The Owensboro-based truck won Best Truck Theme and Design along with a $500 prize while going up against nearly 40 other vendors in Mount Vernon.
Owner Jay Johnson said the event, held at the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame grounds, was a chance to showcase what Owensboro has to offer on a statewide stage.
“To me, it’s an opportunity to put Owensboro on my back and represent the 270,” Johnson said. “We’ve won numerous awards (in Owensboro), but this is a chance to show the rest of the state what we’ve got.”
The competition, organized by Rockcastle County Tourism, featured a $5,000 grand prize along with several $500 category awards. Each truck could only submit one item for judging, though they were allowed to serve from their full menu.
Johnson said he considered several options, including his “Dirty Diana” burger that won Owensboro Burger Week, his bourbon Cajun ranch fries, and the “Big Booty Judy” pulled pork sandwich.
“I was in quarterback mode,” Johnson said. “I had three or four options ready, but when it was time to turn it in, I was ready to pull an audible. My staff didn’t even know what we were going to submit.”
Ultimately, Johnson decided to go with the Dirty Diana Burger.
Judging was conducted by a four-person panel, including a Food Network personality, while attendees also had the chance to vote for a new People’s Choice Award. Organizers expected 10,000 people at the event, which also featured live music and family activities.
Johnson said winning the design award was especially meaningful after recently upgrading to a new truck, which also served as a stage for entertainment. His staff wore shirts showcasing the 270 area code to represent Owensboro.
“We can bring entertainment and a different culture everywhere we go,” Johnson said. “It feels good to hit the highway and see what we can do.”
Jay’s Good Grub has been serving up meals since 2016 and has appeared at University of Louisville football games and events across the state. Johnson said branching out to more statewide events is the next step for his business.
More information about the championship can be found at the Kentucky Food Truck Championship website.
