Durham's Food Truck Rodeo

Durham's Food Truck Rodeo

Located in Durham Central Park, the Durham Food Truck Rodeo brings people from all walks of life to enjoy the Triangle’s most popular food trucks. Five times a year, people from all over flock to experience the abundance of delicious food representing all corners of the globe. From dumplings to quesadillas to green curry, this food truck fair has it all. It doesn’t take long to discover that food is by no means the only attraction. The Durham Food Truck Rodeo is a time to bring everyone from the community together to ~share a meal~ and enjoy one another’s company. This fair is a time to unite everyone to experience a wonderful event together through the channel of food. 

Confined to small spaces but big in their passion, chefs of the Durham Food Truck Rodeo unify a community through food. Chefs rally a few times a year to craft the delicacies of their expertise, and the people of Durham respond. Food is a powerful tool in expressing how a creative process works and how it can convey a narrative. It strengthens bonds between some and offers freedom of expression for others. Friends and family units share delectable dishes offered by the trucks lining the park. The assortment of food trucks packed on the downtown streets represents all of the different identities that exist within Durham. 

Durham’s rise to prominence in the “foodie” scene reflects its rich cultural identity, comprised of a multitude of immigrant populations. These diverse groups have made immense contributions to the cuisine that Durham is now widely admired for, transforming the city into a hub for culinary creations, many known for their fusion of international and Southern influences. The food truck scene represents the flourishing small business scene in the area while effectively serving the modern Durham community, constantly in motion and transformation while remaining grounded in cultural traditions and values.

WORDS BY spencer lafata, maria gieg, and juliette mangini

PHOTOS BY greta cywinska