Maria's Taco Hut Contestant in Great Food Truck Race Contest

Maria Estrada wants more Northfielders to eat on the go, literally.

Owner/operator of Northfield-based , Estrada said she envisions a time when food trucks and carts serve meals to hungry residents daily, rather than just festival time.

"Northfield could benefit from having food trucks around town," she said. "We serve good food that people like."

Food trucks and carts are becoming commonplace on city streets throughout the United States, not just in large cities. For instance, the Minneapolis City Council voted earlier this year to permit food trucks to set up shop in more locations.

The food-truck trend has spawned a reality television show on the Food Network, "The Great Food Truck Race," that follows eight vendors.

Estrada, who started selling her Mexican fare from a handmade cart at the in 2003, is in the running to join the show next season.

She is one of six food-truck vendors in Minnesota—the only one based south of Minneapolis—and 225 nationwide nominated for the Great Food Truck Race's America's Favorite Giveaway. The vendor collecting the most votes from the public wins $10,000 and an opportunity to be on the show next year.

Estrada said she was surprised to learn she was a contestant.

"I don't know who nominated me," she said. "I have been asking friends and customers, but nobody has told me."

Food-truck vendors serve a variety of cuisine, from hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries to Mexican, Chinese and Italian.

Estrada said some vendors tempt their customers' taste buds by mixing cuisine styles, like Chinese/Italian dishes.

"I like to stay close to my roots," said Estrada, who serves such favorites as burritos and tacos. "I love cooking the recipes my mother handed down to me."

Working out of the fire-engine red trailer that replaced her handmade cart in 2005, Estrada operates her food-truck business with the help of her husband, Rafael, and her 12-year-old daughter, Gabby. The Northfield residents are regulars at such Northfield events as the and the Fourth of July celebration.

"I like it," Gabby said about working with her mom. "It's fun."

An up and down year

Being a contestant in the Great Food Truck Race is the latest peak in what has become an up-and-down year for Estrada. On the up side, she recently was awarded the food service contract for . But on the other end of the spectrum, she has been battling breast cancer.

Estrada credited the mentoring she received through in receiving the St. Dominic contract, as well as in building her growing catering business.

Local business professionals Pat Allen and Lynn Vincent have provided her with know-how through the WINGS Entrepreneurial Fund, which offers mentoring and grants to women and children in the interested in starting or expanding their own business.

"With me having my own business for 25 years and Lynn, with her experience with the Girls Scouts and other ventures, we had the expertise to cover the bases for the help that she was looking for," Allen said. "We really enjoy working with Maria. She's a great gal."

The St. Dominic contract is the second food-service deal Estrada has received. She has provided school lunches for the —better known as ARTech—for three years.

While her speciality is Mexican cuisine, she serves students a traditional lunchroom menu.

"I know a lot of Italian recipes and I know Chinese," she said.

While learning more about the business world, Estrada has endured chemotherapy treatments to battle her cancer. Since being diagnosed March 17—her daughter Marianna's birthday—she has completed all but three of her 16 rounds of treatments.

"The doctor is very positive that I will end up cancer-free," she said. "The chemo has been tough, but cooking's been therapy for me. Cooking has saved me from being depressed."

Because of the illness, Estrada has cut back her food-vending schedule this schedule to just a handful of events, among them next month's DJJD.

She said she expects her vending schedule will be packed next year.

That's if the Food Network doesn't come calling.

WANT TO VOTE?
Visit the Great Food Truck Race website to vote for Maria's Taco Hut.