A Backstage Pass to Riverfront Food Truck Festival

During the heat wave in the Summer of 2023, I found myself in the heart of Hartford, Connecticut, a city recovering from unprecedented flooding. Yet again, I was on the road documenting another festival during the heart of barbecue festival season. This was no ordinary trip, nor was it a conventional food festival. It was the Riverfront Food Truck Festival, a two-day culinary extravaganza. Our hosts -- the amazing folks over at the Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort.

As a videographer, I've often been a silent spectator to the magic that unravels behind the scenes, but this experience was unlike any other. From being approached in a Walmart parking lot for "the good stuff" to a torrential downpour that threatened to call off the entire event, it was a one-of-a-kind experience. This is the tale of taste, tenacity, and teamwork, a behind-the-scenes tour into the heart of the 'show' in the show business.

Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort

Mohegan is no stranger to spectacle. During the trip, I had the pleasure of staying in the Earth Tower of their hotel. This hotel was right in the center of all the activity, just an elevator ride and a short walk from the casino, arena, stores, and restaurants. While it didn't provide the same logistical advantage that Ilani Resort provided during my last trip to one of their properties, it did give us a ton of options when it came to food and entertainment.

During my stay, scores of people filled the area to partake in the various events. First was a basketball game played between the Connecticut Sun and Atlanta Dream. Next would be a sold-out performance by comedian Theo Von, which packed the arena and resort. Finally, it would be a performance by the band Matchbox Twenty and the Mohegan Sun Tequilla Tasting. Each of these events bought a different, but large crowd.

The casino puts a big emphasis on putting on a show and provides ample opportunities for entertainment. I personally do not gamble (with my own money), but if that is your jam, it is right there for the taking. There are plenty of high-end retailers for those who love to shop. And if you are a food-focused visitor, there are plenty of those too.

While in Mohegan, I ate at the Michael Jordan Steakhouse, Todd English's Tuscany, and Tom's Watch Bar. The first two on this list are considered premium restaurants where you are likely to spend a couple hundred dollars. Personally, I did not find the food to be worth the price, but what it lacked in taste was supplemented by the spectacular presentation. Tom's Watch Bar is a more affordable option. I had the Pickle-Brined Crispy Chicken, which I recommend.

But we weren't there for food. At least not the casinos.

Crazy Connecticut: Preparation for the Fest

The preparations for any festival often involve a myriad of behind-the-scenes activities. One of these seemingly mundane tasks includes sourcing and preparing ingredients. This is a step that I used to consider quite boring. Connecticut ensured me how wrong I was. Our quest for ingredients led us to a nearby Walmart and a local grocer, Big Y, where the least surprising thing turned out to be the prices.

As we pulled into the parking lot servicing the two stores, a white sedan inched towards us. Rasheed, apparently fearless, approached the vehicle as its window rolled down. A brief exchange later, he returned to us, shaking his head in disbelief, "He just asked if I was holding!" His "Smoke Addict" barbecue shirt and long locs gave the man the impression he was. We brushed off this peculiar incident as a random oddity, not representative of the area, and pressed on.

Our visit to Big Y was largely uneventful, aside from a polite request by the management to stop filming, which we honored. Next, we ventured into the neighboring Walmart for utensils. It was impossible to miss the teenager effectively performing a self-induced lobotomy while maintaining unblinking eye contact with us, but we trod on. Erica darted off like a kid in a candy store, and Rasheed was approached by an older woman, clearly taken by his height. Her inquisitive comments about his potential career as a basketball player and open admiration of his looks made for a highly amusing interlude.

Having collected our supplies and sufficiently sampled the local color, we retreated to the car to recharge for the imminent Riverfront Food Turck festival.

Riverfront Food Truck Festival

An hour away in Hartford, Connecticut, The Mohegan Sun had a "tasting tent" set up and ready to go as part of the Riverfront Food Truck Festival. The venue for the event was the Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, where food trucks were stationed on the walkways at the banks of the river and near the walkway of the Connecticut Convention Center downtown. The tasting tent was strategically placed at the corner of the I-91 overpass for everyone to pass and see.

Mohegan Sun bought out the talented Erica Roby, AKA Blue Smoke Blaire, and Rasheed Philips, AKA The Gentleman Smoker, to put on demonstrations and tastings for the participants. Each chef prepared two dishes, intending to feed up to 50 participants per demonstration. Erica and Rasheed were set to put on two sessions each day, but the plan quickly changed on the first day.

Day 1: Battling the Elements

When we arrived at the venue, the weather was calm, with overcast skies. They both started preparing their smokers and prepping at about 8 AM, with the event beginning at 11 AM. First on the schedule was Erica at 1 PM, followed by Rasheed at 2:30 PM.

The crowd was noticeably light likely because of the recent weather in the area. Prior to our arrival, Connecticut had experienced a one-in-a-lifetime flooding catastrophe resulting from torrential downpours. This continuous rain cycle resulted in flooding, which until just two days before our arrival, had flooded the lower areas of the venue.

Luckily, the water had receded by the time we arrived, but I am sure many were either hesitant to come out or thought the event might be canceled, especially with the overcast skies and forecast of rain. Sure enough, right as Erica was preparing for her second session to begin, the rain started. Shortly after, the downpour began.

We all huddled under the food prep tent, but after about 30 minutes, the event was canceled, and we had to make a run for the car. This was probably the first time, I had experienced anything like this, but considering the circumstances, it was the right choice. The event organizers were likely hesitant to continue, even after the storms moved out of the area, and the light attendance made the final decision a no-brainer.

Day 2: Feastful Flavors

On the second day, the weather was much more cooperative. When we arrived, the skies were completely clear, and the sun was out. The locals took must have taken notice, because the crowd continuously built as the day went on. Adding to the fun was the ConnetiCon Cosplay Convention happening right next door at the Connecticut Convention Center. It wasn't DragonCon, which I am familiar with, but there were quite a few costumes in the crowd, adding to the spectacle.

Erica and Rasheed were set for the same schedule as the previous day. Prep began at 10 AM as we geared up for the larger crowd. Food trucks lined the lower and upper portions of the event venue as people began to flow in. The sound stage was also being tuned up at the outdoor amphitheater overlooking the water, setting the stage for a fun day.

Various food trucks from local eateries from Hartford and the surrounding area were present. This included Clyde's Cupcakes, Gramma Lil's, and The New Haven Pizza Truck. I took a quick break to try the famous New Haven pizza, which offered a great slice, although I don't know if I can call it the best, as Dave Portnoy has proclaimed.

Back at the Mohegan Tasting Tent, the festivities were starting with the local emcee manning the mic. The crew from Mohegan was ready to put on a show. They even had their own juggler on staff who kept the crowd enthralled and entertained until the demonstrations were set to begin. First up would be Erica Roby.

Erica entertained the crowd with her infectious smile and personality -- encouraging everyone in the crowd to follow their dreams, advice which got Erica amazing results. She told the crowd about her past as an attorney before she became a world-renowned pit master. She challenged the crowd to follow their dreams while they tasted samples of her steak sushi before taking pictures and signing recipes for the crowd.

After a brief interlude, Rasheed hit the stage. He spoke about his upbringing in Kingston, Jamaica, and the influence it had on his cooking style. From fresh ingredients to the science of cooking, he explained the method behind his madness before being peppered with questions from a crowd wowed by the Netflix sensation. Finally, he ended the presentation with a few pictures and signatures before heading back to prepare for the next round.

As the day progressed, the crowd began to really pick up. Whether it be families from the neighboring downtown Hartford or attendees to ConnetiCon, there was something for everyone. Mohegan kept the crowd entertained, even the ones outside the tasting tent, with opportunities to watch juggling, being entertained by Jerry, or just stopping by the team for an opportunity to gather Mohegan Sun merch.

Close Out

As the festival drew to a close, the crowd continued to remain steadfast. The enjoyment of the festival could be seen all over the faces of each attendee. The food trucks were flooded with a sea of people. At certain points throughout the day, lines snaked dozens of feet down the walkway

The Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort team was right at the heart of the crowd, perfectly positioned between the upper and lower areas of the venue. This prime positioning funneled the crowd from one area of the Riverfront food truck festival to the other, allowing the Tasting Tent to be the center of attention. A perfect place for a spectacle to take place -- and a spectacle is what they gave them.