New food van could be right up your street
Wednesday, 06 November 2013
Belle at the University's Open Day
'We will be serving a different item each day - so far our plans include American style mac ÔÇÿn' cheese, burritos, pulled pork, hot dogs and pie and mash.'
Executive Head Chef Julie Frost and the Catering team are excited to announce the launch of their new venture - Belle the street food van.
Belle will be serving up a variety of street food on the Whiteknights and London Road campuses between 11am and 2.30pm every week day. All you need to do is follow @UniRdg_Van on Twitter to find out where she'll be and what's on offer each day.
The van's first outing was at the University's Open Day on Saturday 26 October, where the team served up tasty "fish dogs" with minted peas, tartare sauce and gherkins, but the official launch will took place on Tuesday 5 November with a Bonfire Night special of Sloppy Joe's - spicy chilli in a bun. There will be classic smoky beef chilli, a bean feast veggie chilli and for those brave enough to take on the challenge, an explosively fiery hot beef chilli.
All food served from Belle will, in true street food style be simple, tasty and high quality. Where possible, ingredients will be locally sourced, including burgers from a butcher in Caversham and fresh brioche buns from artisan bakery Jungs in Beaconsfield.
Julie said: "Over the last couple of years street food has become a huge part of our eating culture. Whether it is at events like Kerb and Truck Stop, or at festivals and food markets, there has been a great revolution happening in London and now beyond. By joining the revolution we hope to offer both students and staff a new eating experience here at the University.
"We will be serving a different item each day - so far our plans include American style mac ‘n' cheese, burritos, pulled pork, hot dogs and pie and mash - with up to four different variations for customers to choose from.
"Belle is an authentic French Citroen Hy van built approximately 40 years ago - in France they were used for everything from transporting livestock to delivering post. This style of van hasn't actually been produced for about 30 years so we're really pleased to have been able to get one for the University of Reading. It has been reconditioned by a company called H Van World based in Dorking, Surrey and then kitted out by another company in Weston-super-Mare. We think they've done a great job, and we can't wait to get Belle on the road."
If you think the van would make a good addition to your any events you're holding at Whiteknights or London Road, it can be booked by contacting Catering Services - cateringadmin@reading.ac.uk.