{"id":304069,"date":"2026-07-23T20:15:49","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T20:15:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/304069\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T20:15:49","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T20:15:49","slug":"grounds-donut-house-in-throggs-neck-bring-their-viral-sweets-to-food-network-show-bronx-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/304069\/","title":{"rendered":"Grounds Donut House in Throggs Neck bring their viral sweets to Food Network show \u2013 Bronx Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Grounds Donut House<\/a> in Throggs Neck, opened in 2019, was already known and loved in the Bronx and by thousands of Instagram followers. Now, the team behind the cafe is making their TV debut on season 19 of the Food Network show, \u201cThe Great Food Truck Race,<\/a>\u201c which brings them on a cross-country culinary adventure.<\/p>\n

The new season premieres July 26 at 9 p.m. with episodes streaming the next day on HBO Max.\n<\/p>\n

Like most entrepreneurial ventures, the story behind Grounds is one of hustle and creative vision. Gabriella (Gabby) Amoroso had no prior business or culinary experience, but when she saw a former East Tremont coffee shop up for sale, she took a leap of faith to open her own spot serving creative donut and coffee concoctions.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cOwning a coffee shop is every girl\u2019s dream,\u201d she told the Bronx Times.\u00a0
\n\"\"Grounds Donut House\u2019s Gabby Amoroso with special ingredient Hot Chicken Spice as seen on \u201cThe Great Food Truck Race.\u201d Photo courtesy Food Network\n<\/p>\n

Amoroso said her mom, Carmela (Mela) Varotta, and mother-in-law, Stephanie Hill, were the true \u201cmasterminds\u201d behind bringing Grounds to life. The three mastered the tedious process of donut-making and now handle social media and marketing and run the shop after being just \u201cthrown into the mix.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amoroso said they\u2019ve doubled down on \u201cout of the box\u201d donut flavors, which vary by the week and range from classic glazed and cinnamon sugar to whoopie pie, tropical lemonade, fig and pear jam, salted caramel Oreo and pineapple cheesecake. \u201cWe\u2019re all about creativity, and we\u2019re not afraid to take risks,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Coffee drinks at Grounds are equally bold, as are their viral mini pancakes, Fruity Pebbles chicken and waffles and breakfast sandwiches and ice cream sandwiches made with their own donuts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have done crazy things, and that\u2019s really what we went viral for,\u201d Amoroso said. The shop \u201cbecame a staple, an icon in the Bronx.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

But no one on their team had ever worked in a food truck, let alone competed on a major TV show while driving one. \u201cIf you thought donuts were hard to make in a commissary, it\u2019s even harder in a truck,\u201d Hill said.<\/p>\n

Despite the challenges, \u201cWe had the time of our lives,\u201d Varotta said.\u00a0
\n\"\"The show took eight teams on a whirlwind multi-state trip as they competed in various challenges along the way, for a chance at a $50,000 prize. Photo courtesy Food Network\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Great Food Truck Race\u201d is hosted by celebrity chef Tyler Florence and takes eight teams \u2014 four each known for savory and sweet \u2014 from Nashville through the Great Smoky Mountains and into foodie cities as they complete challenges testing their culinary skills and business savvy. The entrepreneurs competed for a $50,000 grand prize.<\/p>\n

Though the team couldn\u2019t give many details about the show ahead of the July 26 premiere, they agreed the experience was life-changing.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Varotta said it had \u201calways been a dream\u201d to be on the Food Network, and when the opportunity came, she thought it was a joke at first. But just driving and operating the truck was an uphill battle, as was having every moment of struggle, tension or joy captured by TV cameras.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was intense, but we handled it pretty well,\u201d she said, adding that Florence was \u201cwonderful\u201d and that the teams in competition ended up bonding \u201clike we knew them forever.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s crazy to me. I still cannot believe we went on the Food Network,\u201d Amoroso said. Now, \u201cWe have all these new friends in other states forever.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

When asked about potential plans for a food truck back in the Bronx, the Grounds owners said the competition probably scared them away from the idea for life. But they remain committed to the elements that made their business so beloved in the first place \u2014 an eye-catching neighborhood shop, fun flavors and most importantly, great customer relationships.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Amoroso said Grounds has many loyal regulars, including some who visit daily, and the Food Network appearance will likely draw newcomers to experience what she called \u201ca totally different vibe than any other coffee shop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just selling you coffee and a donut. We have a whole community,\u201d she said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

Reach Emily Swanson at\u00a0eswanson@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0(646) 717-0015<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n