17 Jul Tough times in hospITALITY, BUT WE’RE KICKING ON
This is not your typical hospitality situation. It’s a big Airstream caravan filled with pizza, adventure, love and even a set of twins!
This photo was taken the week Remi walked away from his secure engineering job of TWENTY years to focus on our food truck catering business.
Up until then, he was working a full-time job during the week and tossing pizza every weekend.
I’d given up my ABC career and was doing everything I could to help Remi make his dream happen, whilst manically juggling our three kids (who were under two when this adventure began).
For seven years, we’ve poured our hearts and souls into this business and have grown with the help of our incredibly wonderful staff.
We’re proud of what we have built – we started with an Airstream and now have a fleet of 1960s vintage trucks & caravans.
But like so many hospitality businesses, we’ve been hit badly by Covid-19 restrictions.
We’ve barely been able to cater since mid-March and this second round of restrictions has spooked many of our clients who were planning weddings in 2020.
We’ve watched our wonderful team decimated and have had to pivot to takeaway to survive.
So we’re taking inspiration from our amazing trucks which have stood the test of time. They all share the name HAPPY in various languages – Allegra, Merri, Joie, Gwyneth and Bonnie.
We continue to believe in what we do, even if we’ve been thrown a mountain. Happy times are ahead.
Eric Deleeuw
Posted at 15:23h, 09 AugustHello Remi and family,
I am Eric from the Brussels (Belgium), I was reading Monocle and saw you people in an article.(Happycamperpizza).
First of all i want to congratulate you with your achievements! You can be realy proud of what you offer and serve!
Your concept is future proof! Hang in there! I know COVID-19 is hitting us all very hard.
I am active as a senior manager in consumer electronics (big retailer in Europe Media-Markt/Saturn Holding.).
Due to COVID-19, and my age (i am 63 ) i am willing to quit my job do something completely different.
Food has always been a point of interest within our family( i have a wife and 4 kids)
By reading your story, i was inspired and i gave me push and idea’s to carry on in this project,
My project is not final yet, but it will be something with noodles:and or mussels.
To be confirmed mobile and or on fix location .
I wish you all the best!
Stay Safe!
I will keep you posted,
Grtz
Eric Deleeuw
happyca
Posted at 00:07h, 10 AugustHi Eric,
Thanks for your kind thoughts. We are so happy we can inspire you to do something you love! There is a food truck here in Melbourne called Mussel Pot. They have amazing mussels! You should google them and check out their cool truck. It’s not the easiest industry to work in, lots of hard work the first few years, but we highly recommend making your set-up attractive so you can cater parties and weddings, and if you have this and good food, then you can’t go wrong! We look forward to hearing more! Sonia and Remi
happyca
Posted at 00:20h, 10 AugustHi Eric!
Please check these guys: The mussel pot. They are rocking it here in Melbourne:
https://www.prahranmarket.com.au/trader/the-mussel-pot/
All the best!
Remi