Eight teams arrive in Santa Barbara, Cal., to compete for their very own food truck in the Season 5 premiere. Their first challenge is to define their brand and create a signature dish.

The teams are told to come up with creative marketing campaigns when they arrive in Tucson, where they also face the challenge of putting their own twists on a hot dog loved by locals and performing a catchy jingle at a folk festival.

The trucks pair up when in Austin for a Match.com event; and on the next day, switch trucks and sell their partners' food. Later, Tyler reveals that the elimination comes down to a $6 deficit.

Time-management skills are tested when the teams arrive in Oklahoma City, where they are forced to embrace local favorites. Included: Steak dishes are mandatory on Day 1; and prime meat is grounded by hand to make fried-onion burgers on Day 2.

The final four teams arrive in St. Louis and are greeted with a challenge involving a premium food product. The next day, they are given the chance to double their week's till.

Three teams remain when the competition arrives in Mobile, Ala., where host Tyler Florence challenges them to cook locally. Also: He wants everyone to add a brunch dish to their menus.

The Season 5 finale brings the remaining two teams to Florida, where they have to demonstrate what they have learned throughout the race as they vie to make the most money and win the top prize.