Twenty-six food trucks rolled into Veterans Park in Springfield Saturday for the 11th Springfield Rotary Gourmet Food Truck Competition, but only one of them rolled out of town as the grand prize winner.
Raging Bull Wood Fired Pizza, from Urbana, Ohio, earned the $5,000 grand prize for its signature drink, Summer Lovin’, their take on a Hugo Spritz. The winner was determined by a panel of local chef judges, as well as anonymous roving judges during the event.
Heather Bauer, owner of Raging Bull Wood Fired Pizza, along with her best friend since the 4th grade, Sharlon Conrad, were excited to showcase their new drink cart, an extension of Raging Bull’s regular food menu, which they’ve only been operating for four weeks.
“We’ve been trying to win for six years now, and last year, we came in third place with our Big Jimmy Pizza, so we were very happy about this year,” said Bauer. “We’ve been researching how to make different and unique drinks, like Summer Lovin’, our nonalcoholic version of a Hugo Spritz, and not just standard drinks like lemonade.”
Black Willow, from Ontario, Ohio, was named the $2,500 runner-up for their twist on traditional birria tacos. Home Cooked Vibes, from Fairborn, Ohio, was awarded the $1,500 third place prize for their Bang Bang Broccoli Bowl.
Chef judges determined winning dishes based upon a combination of flavor/taste, presentation/visual appeal and creativity/originality. The panel included:
- Lisa Freeman – Chef/Owner of Crust & Company, Salato Deli and Torte & Iron Cafe
- Bryan Fuentes – Chef, Viva La Fiesta
- Clayton Horrighs – Chef/Owner of Speakeasy Ramen and Hi-Hat Social
- Doug McGregor – Chef/Owner of Seasons Kitchen
- Korge Mori – Lieutenant with the Springfield Fire Rescue Division and former operator of Ramen Rickshaw food truck; past recipient of Springfield Rotary’s Service Above Self Award
Nearly 500 attendees used the Springfield Food Truck mobile app to vote for their favorite truck throughout the event, with Iggy Ragu’s, of Dayton, Ohio, taking home the “People’s Choice” $1,000 prize.
When asked the secret to winning the People’s Choice Award, Iggy Ragu’s owner Thomas Kelly said, “Serving good food to good people… and kindness.”
The Dayton-based food truck won the award by a single vote margin in their first year competing in the event.
“We appreciate everybody’s vote,” said Kelly. “Especially that one person who maybe didn’t buy anything but voted for us because they thought we were cool. Thank you!”
In addition to the competition’s extensive food truck line-up, this year’s event once again featured live music from local bands and artists, including Andy Fox, Add On Room, Mountain Vain and KC & The Moonlighters. New this year, Rotary partnered with Crafts for a Cause to host an Arts and Crafts show featuring talented artisans selling their goods during the competition.
Attendees, both new and returning, continue to praise the Springfield Rotary Club for hosting a top-notch event enjoyed by residents from across the region.
“It’s a great place to see friends, and come out to enjoy the park, experience new foods and try some things you might not otherwise try,” said Mike Asebrooke, Springfield resident. “We’ve been coming out for the last four years. So far, we tried the Nigerian food, and I think there’s a Schmidt’s cream puff in the future.”
While food truck vendors kept their sales revenue from the day, all money raised from concession sales, corporate sponsorships and donations benefit the many charitable causes of the Springfield Rotary Club. The amount raised from the previous 10 years of the event totals more than $300,000.
“This event is about more than great food, drinks and entertainment,” said Eddie Bell, past Rotary president and Food Truck Competition marketing committee chair. “It’s about bringing people together to make a lasting impact for our neighbors in Springfield. Each year, we’re building something bigger – an event that’s not only a highlight of the summer but a meaningful force for good all year long.”
The 2026 Springfield Rotary Food Truck Competition is tentatively scheduled for a weekend next August.