Phil Johnson, pitmaster extraordinaire and owner of Trapp Haus BBQ, 511 East Roosevelt Street, is offering a mentorship program for folks who want to start a food truck business, said Susie Timm, president of Knife & Fork Media Group, Johnson's Scottsdale-based marketing team.
A Bronx native, Johnson started in competitive barbecue prior to operating a successful food truck business and eventually opening Trapp Haus BBQ in 2018. He has appeared on multiple cooking and competition shows, as well appeared on local and national outlets including numerous appearances on NBC’s Today Show.
Anyone interested in the mentorship program should send a 500-word essay to Johnson explaining why they should be chosen, what kind of truck they want to start, their background and experience, and three goals they would hope to achieve in the program.
Submissions can be sent to [email protected].
Johnson says he will pick the winners beginning January 1. For those selected, the mentorship is free of charge.
Along with the mentorship program, Johnson plans to launch a pair of his own new food truck concepts in early 2022 that will “bring the flavors of New York and the entire East Coast to West Coast diners,” he says.
Phil Johnson, owner and pitmaster at Trapp House BBQ, started with a food truck. Today, he owns one of Phoenix's hottest barbecue restaurants.
Trapp Haus BBQ
Trapp Haus BBQ is also currently expanding its storefront to improve the dining experience for both on-the-go and dine-in customers, the restaurant announced recently.
Johnson says the total cost of the expansion is around $50,000. Improvements will include self-service kiosks for DIY ordering, a streamlined online ordering system, a pick-up window for to-go orders, a remodeled dining room, and a full bar that will offer to-go cocktails.
“This expansion is going to be an all-new Trapp, with easier ordering and faster food service,” Johnson says. “But it will still have the same family-style BBQ environment that people come here for.”
The expansion is set to be complete by January 2022.
