The Loving Food Truck, bringing gourmet street food to Scotland
From time to time in our blogs, we’ll be looking at some ‘Local Heroes’: exceptional local businesses that are worth a visit during your stay in Stirling. First up is the ‘Loving Food Truck‘: if you’re in Stirling over the holidays and are looking for a brand-new food experience, it’s time to hit the streets and sample the unique and eclectic menus of the Loving Food Truck, which you’ll find at Station Road, Stirling, Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 2pm.
Loving Food was founded by Sandra Milne and Stewart Pleace, pioneers of the gourmet street food scene in Scotland. They state simply that “the goal of Loving Food is to offer super-tasty new food served with personality and banter” – and believe me, they are not short on good food or good chat. Both Stewart and Sandra have chucked in big careers with FTSE 100 companies to make a go of revolutionising Scottish street food, so they are understandably passionate about the success of their enterprise. The third personality in the venture is Hervé, their 1972 Citreon H Van, who the business partners love “like a long-lost French brother we once knew but were never introduced to until now”. The distinctive van with bespoke interior has already made his film debut in the Proclaimers’ movie “Sunshine on Leith”. And by the way, the term “he” is used with authority, because, as the (brilliant) Loving Food blog clearly states – Hervé does have an exhaust.
World-inspired food attracts customers of all nationalities
So that’s the founders, what about the food? Stewart and Sandra create world-inspired street food with a wide menu that changes daily. Some eye-catching staple themes are in there: handmade flatbreads with fantastic fillings; soups from local ingredients and some wild card flavours; tacos and sliders (small brioche buns) with unique fillings as well as “rebooted” favourites; even an unbeatable selection of both meat and veggie stews for inclement Scottish days. Still hungry? The Loving Food Truck bakes its own cakes daily, with familiar treats jockeying for position alongside Brazilian brigadeiros and Italian bombolinis. So what’s their secret to keeping the menu so fresh and diverse? “We want to bring something different to Scotland and Stirling. We researched in depth on food provision in Stirling and this clearly highlighted visitors’ desire for something more: we’ve tried and tested dishes from around the world. We also wanted to work exclusively with local producers and suppliers and also ramp up the green credentials of our business by using compostable packaging and keeping down the carbon footprint of our suppliers. We truly believe you can make something different and tasty using simple ingredients and, so far, our customers seem to like it. It might not be for everyone but we have our fingers and most other body parts crossed, hoping that there is an audience for what we’re trying to do”.
Hervé, The Loving Food Company’s anchorman
And the crossed fingers are working. The Loving Food Company has a packed diary that’s already catered weddings, “feastivals”, and high-profile events like Bannockburn Live. From their blog, however, it’s apparent that what they’re most proud of is working against all odds to secure their pitch at the newly re-developed site opposite Stirling Railway Station. Gaining permission to trade there was an 18-month long campaign for Stewart and Sandra, but a worthwhile one – and the pair are delighted. But why Stirling? “We’ve always thought Stirling could be more than what it is and is almost a micro Edinburgh with its castle and history. We’d love for Stirling to be at the forefront of street food and it is – as it’s the first city in Scotland to have a city centre food truck – so is leading the way ahead of its much larger city sisters and brothers”. So, if you plan to be in Stirling around lunchtime, make your breakfast a light one, and head to the Loving Food Truck for some exceptional fare, some great banter, and the chance to meet the very handsome Hervé too.
For more info, or to book the truck for your event: http://www.loving-food.com/