Truro serving up Food Truck Festival May 13
TRURO - A fleet of food trucks from the Nova Scotia Food Trucks Association will be making their way to Truro on May 13 to deliver a wide variety of tasty treats to residents.
Taking place in the Kent Building Supplies parking lot at 104 Wade Road from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., vendors include Smokenstein, Mr. Smooth, Here's the Scoop, Miller's Gourmet, Roll on Two Chimney Cakes, and Abhi's Curry N More.
"We put these (trucks) in partnership with the community to host these things," said Terry Miller, president of the association.
"The nice thing about the trucks is there is no mess for you. You come to the window and get your product. Don't have to go home and wash your dishes. It's a unique experience."
The Truro stop is one of many for the association. They also have stops in Dartmouth (May 11), Lower Sackville (May 14), and Bridgewater on May 20.
Miller runs his own food truck, which he plans to bring to Truro for the festival. He primarily sells kettle corn.
"My brother, back 20 years ago, was down in the U.S.," explained Miller. "He spied this guy with a kettle at a fair. He stood and watched this guy, popping his corn, stirring it, corn was flying. It was a real experience of a show, and he said this might not be a bad idea."
Miller's brother got involved with the food truck business shortly after and Miller helped him out. When his wife suffered a concussion from a workplace accident sometime later, Miller was inspired to try making kettle corn himself.
Having found his passion, Miller brought his product to a local store and managed to get it stocked. It quickly became a best-seller and Miller and his wife decided to take it on the road.
"If you like people, it's a great thing to do. If you're willing to work, it's a great thing to do," said Miller.
And the association helps not only establish venues for sale but also creates a community of like-minded restauranteurs.
"It is a very close community," said Miller. "To have that reliable network ... these guys have been there, done that, and if they can't tell you how to help you, they'll still be willing to figure it out. It's a great resource."
Past president Paula Drew, who runs the Smokenstein fleet of trucks as well as East Coast Smokehouse in Middle Sackville, said her trucks will be serving a host of different BBQ foods. They also serve some international foods, as well - a testament to the variety of different foods available at one truck, let alone a fleet of independent businesses.
"I went out with my fleet trucks here (after a stint in Ontario) and it brought such a following, especially people who didn't eat differently here.
"It's all smoked theme or barbeque. I lived in the southern United States and Mexico growing up, so I know a lot about barbeque. With my Asian training background, we make smoked curry chicken ... we're like a fusion barbeque."
When it comes to the Truro trip, Miller expects a great turnout.
"People know we're coming, and we'll have a great crowd."