Gastro trucks on streets of Paris

CHEF Marc Veyrat is taking the notion of the Gourmet Food Truck to new levels in Paris.

The instantly recognisable "Man in the Hat" is the culinary driving force behind a new sight on the streets of the capital - a small but rapidly growing fleet of trucks bearing the legend “Eat Well, Live Well”.

Drivers deliver freshly prepared three-course meals, five days a week, to office workers who have little time to spare, but who are looking for something a little different to a sandwich or fast food restaurant burger during their lunch break.

“I have nothing against McDonald’s,” the chef said. “There is room for every type of food.

“We want to regain control of our culture of French family cuisine. We are the guardians of what I call ‘real food’.”

The trucks offer three-course meals that are prepared each morning and delivered to offices across Paris, where they are collected by workers who have pre-ordered the full €13.50 meal, or paid €11 for two courses.

A recent Veyrat menu available on the trucks featured egg with grenadine, salad, braised beef with vegetables and tiramisu. Each week there are three starters, four main courses and three desserts on offer, plus drinks and ‘petits plus’.

And it seems his gastro trucks are going down a storm with hungry Parisian office workers. Many of those who have tried the meals regularly come back for more.

It is proving so popular, some offices are sending couriers to drop-off points to collect multiple orders.

One repeat customer said: "The concept interests me. The products are fresh and tasty; the food is hot, and the menu changes all the time.”

That changing menu is important to Mr Veyrat. He said: “I do not want to limit myself. I'll bring modernity, but they will always be made in France. Culinary patriotism is important.”

There are currently three trucks operating in Paris, but the company plans to have 10 on the streets by the end of the year.

It is even eyeing operations in other cities. London and New York may be on the menu in the near future.

Marc Veyrat owned two three-Michelin-star restaurants before giving one up for health reasons. He was also the first chef to score a perfect 20/20 in the Gault-Millau guide for his two restaurants. He has also opened a chain of fastfood restaurants

To order a meal from Mes Bocaux, log on to www.mesbocaux.fr - the trucks are on the streets from Monday to Friday, and all meals have to be pre-ordered.

Photo:La Maison de Marc Veyrat