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The Brain Behind the Wheels
Now Toast Owner, Gili Vaknin, comes to the United States from Israel in hopes of creating a career for himself -
The Start of Something Yellow
Just nine years after Gili started his life in the United States, the Toast food cart was created. Where might you ask? Madison, Wisconsin. -
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Toast's Lifespan Thus Far
Toast has come a long way since it was first created in 2013. A little over five years can be a small portion of time for any company, let alone a food truck, to grow into a success. However, Toast has managed to exceed expectations. Here is a quick look into the evolution of the little yellow panini machine. All data and information has been taken from the following:
1. http://www.toastmadison.com/
2. Tashttp://www.tasteofmadison.com/
3. interview with Toast owner Gili Vaknin -
Beginners Luck
Just months after Toast opened for business, it had won its first prize: 3rd place in the Best Home Style American Dish category at the Taste of Madison. Their Turkey Panini is the star that won the title for the newborn food cart. -
Round Two for Toast
A year and a half had gone by, and thus the Toast food truck was moving up. The prior 3rd place title for Best Home Style American Dish just was not good enough for the cart. They instead received 2nd place, almost winning the title. -
What a Year for Toast
That's not all however, the 2015 Taste of Madison awards also granted toast with the 2nd place title for the Italian Category, due to their italian Mixed Meat Panini. -
Coming in Hot
After two years on placing in a category at the prior two Taste of Madison events, Toast came in hot by taking home not one, not two, but three first place awards in the 2016 Taste of Madison. The ribbons were granted on behalf of their Italian Mixed Meat Panini, their Turkey Panini and their Chocolate Lovers Panini. A second place ribbon was given for the Veggie Panini they created. These awards granted Toast with the confidence boost needed to continue excelling as a Food Cart. -
The Best of the Best
Not to mention, Toast was recognized this year as the overall "Best of the Taste of Madison 2016", an accomplishment that has not gone unnoticed -
From Online to Offline
After four years, the food truck decided to spread its panini love to the online world. A website had finally been created for the public to view. -
Deju Vu for Toast Round Two
At the 2017 Taste of Madison event, the Toast food truck showed their efforts to remain on top, winning the same three first place ribbons for yet the same paninis as last year. They also moved up an award, placing third for their Pollo Panini. However, all of these awards meant nothing compared to the second place title they received this same year in Madison Magazine's 2017 issue of "Best of Madison". -
Back for More
Now, only five years old, the little yellow food truck has stolen multiple awards from this years Taste of Madison, including the first place ribbon in the American category for their Turkey Panini and two second place prizes in the Italian Category for their Italian Mixed Meat Panini and in the vegetarian category for their Veggie Panini. It seems as though Toast is not planning on stopping the award circuit soon at the Taste of Madison. -
Along the Way
Although the lifespan of Toast is still fairly short, the food cart has spent the last five years loyal to the UW residents and students; the cart shows up five days of the week, parked outside of library mall, ready for the full day of paninis ahead.
