As we emerge from our first fortnight of van season it’s the perfect time for some reflection and to take stock of the highlights and lessons to keep stepping forward.
Once the Sunday dinner season ended it became go time for the van. It was time to walk the walk, week one was a Friday and Saturday. The bookings were low numbers so a gentle start in and a chance to get to understand the set up and get into systems and routines.
Driving the van (Tallulah) down to the site was a mixture of fear and excitement. Moving her big ass through small country roads filled me with dread. Although I have been driving for many a year, in all honesty I can admit I am not the best driver, and reversing has never been a skill I have mastered or enjoyed,(also reverse is a bitch to find on the old girl) . The anxiety of having to reverse her big ass in a small area with a queue of traffic was constantly playing out in my mind. But like most fears and anxieties the only thing to fear was the fear itself. As I drove, like I was taking a test, the only moment of note was a builders truck going too fast around a bend that came ridiculously close and I ended up moving the wing mirror as he came into my lane. Five minutes later I was parked up in the sunshine in a stunning pitch. Life was good.
Friday our first night we served in horrific weather, luckily the rain and wind direction meant in the van it was warm and dry but as the campers made a dash in the rain there was no time or want for conversation. As I ran through the close down we got soaked but spirits were high. As it was the first day I had gone down very early and the universe was on my side, after having two issues, one of which was the power to the griddle, as I rang and spoke to the people needed they happen to be in the area and came and fixed the issues within 30 mins. That kind of luck makes you feel it’s all meant to be. Saturday the dark clouds were replaced with blue skies and a new wave of campers all interested in the van, with music pumping, hot grills cooking and the sun shining it showed what a beautiful place it is to be and work.
The next week came half term and it was more of the same, the numbers were brilliant. We were over booked mainly due to the optimism of the campsite owner. And although it was a cause of alarm at first with planning and great work from all involved we smashed out big numbers to happy campers and it felt so good to get all of the different nights under our belt, and some big numbers. If I hadn’t been taken out of the comfort zone numbers wise and aired on the side of caution then the knowledge of what is capable would not have been realised. Instead we made more money, felt the buzz and now have a higher level of understanding and confidence. And with a large amount of return customers we begin to build the name, with the feedback being so positive we could definitely be in peoples plans on the return visit.
One of the takeaways from the first couple of weeks is the people I’ll be working with, the campsite owner is fantastic, upbeat, always thinking how to improve and full of jokes and banter. The relationship has hit the ground running and the fact I will be able to absorb some of that energy is very positive. The wardens around the campsite are full of stories of past experiences and vocations. Well travelled and with a wealth of lessons from previous professions, it has been a pleasure chatting and learning. One of the wardens was a professional journalist who went on to write and sell a travel blog. Just by being open and honest in conversation, you soon become aware of the hidden levels of people. I know I plan on asking for hints and tips when it comes to writing blogs. Then you meet the campers that have a lovely relaxed demeanour, happy to be somewhere beautiful and enjoying life you pick up that positive energy.
Then there has been the help in the van, it’s been a wonderful and fulfilling experience working with friends. The main person on with me is such a close friend it’s like working with family. We joke and banter, not to mention walk the walk when needed but the time flies and the work just flows like classical music. When he hasn’t been on I have had the perfect grill chef from past kitchens and even my old head chef came in to help me on my busiest night to date. Those night were great fun, new location, new venue and my business but nothing between us has changed. Even when unexpected issues occurred my brother in law stepped up and helped smash out 100+ orders. It has been cause for more smiles and a lot of laughter, these people are people I can trust to turn up and work but also to want the best for me as we have connected in a way only long time hospitality staff can.
Working in the perfect location, on my own van, with my mates it’s pretty much all I could ask for, for the first summer trading from the van. Some how though although in many aspects I have more time, but by being out of habit I find it causes me to waste more time and my mind won’t switch off. Learning new product lists, best shops for prices, amount of stock needed and most efficient set ups for service, these problems and solutions are constantly drumming into my brain.
It has been strange and a mental upheaval changing from a week that was focused around 1 day service to a more fluid operation throughout the week. Always feeling there is shopping to do, things to clean or prep. After each service it’s unloading everything back in the house and cleaning ready for the next use. The easiest part of the job is when I am cooking, that is when I feel truly free. That’s my happy place, on the van knowing I have everything brought and prepped.
With the extra time, (this will subside during school holidays) it’s been a conscious effort to make the most of it, gym sessions, time with the boys and dare I say it, even taking some time to relax. Due to the last year being so intense, we haven’t found ourselves with much downtime. Now we have some, but I wasn’t expecting to feel a level of guilt. If I have a night off and do something completely mindless like playing a video game, watching a movie or spending far too long on TikTok, I feel guilty. Guilty of wasting an opportunity to be productive, to get a chore done or continue to build the business. This is a strange and unusual feeling, after a night relaxing I start to think “I probably should have done some tiling in the kitchen” or “I should have got round to updating the website”. I don’t know if these are normal thoughts, I’m not sure I want to be normal, I know I’m not a sit and watch a box set type of guy. All I know is anytime spend with the Mrs and boys is good for the soul. Nobody ever gets to their deathbed saying “ I wish I worked more” but in the same breath you want to know you gave it your all. I guess this is where balance comes in.
Taking time to be present has helped me really enjoy the experience so far, stopping to realise how beautiful a location is and that it’s on your doorstep. Just stopping and watching the boys play and grow, catching the mrs smiling, know that you love the people you work with, enjoying time with the family and hearing the laughter. These are all precious moments to cherish.
As the summer starts, plans and ideas are already bouncing around my head ready for next year, it all feels very exciting but I’ll save that for another blog. But the futures bright, the futures ANARCHY.
Happy eating
FOOD ANARCHY 