With storm clouds looming the food trucks started gathering at the Perth Cultural Centre, so began the 2017 Food Truck Rumble. Having been to the past three annual Rumbles, and with a work deadline screaming, I was in two minds about going. That’s not the attitude, I pondered as I looked in the bathroom mirror … I’ll just pop in for an hour.
© The Ponder Room
Five hours later I’d had three spectacular meals, debated various food elements with complete strangers, been inspired by copious food trucks/food design elements, mesmerised by the BBoys and BGirls and serenaded by the bands. Not bad for a day that started out with notions of being trapped behind a computer.
The first truck I came across was outside the Urban Orchard, Food & Co, who’d driven up from Mandurah. Boasting local Blue Manna crab cake tostadas for $12, it was a no brainer that I’d be back. Positioned near the train station I knew they’d be busy so decided on an early lunch, well more a brunch actually.
© The Ponder Room
The tostadas were spectacular. Creamy fresh crab cakes sitting atop a sriracha slaw and crunchy tostadas. The crab cakes could easily be found at a top restaurant for quadruple the price ($12). The drizzle of chilli sauce and lime slice were a nice touch. The dish was also beautifully presented in an open box that made it easy to eat. A decent sized portion I realised it would be a long time before I could try something else.
© The Ponder Room
Time to walk off some of the calories with a wander amongst the other 29 trucks. The Eat no Evil truck always puts on a great show.
© The Ponder Room
As does Delish Ice, it’s bubble machine working overtime entertaining the kids while they waited for their popsicle.
© The Ponder Room
La Carreta, a Colombian-Latin American truck came with a side order of education … Colombia not Columbia.
© The Ponder Room
It was great to see Wassup Dog again, I’ve been to their shop in East Perth many times for their veggie dog (it’s one of the best in Perth) so bypassed them this time.
© The Ponder Room
But my favourite was the delightfully named and utterly understated Unexpected Ice Cream truck. For those wondering they offered a Banana Split with options like butter cookie crumble, rum soaked pineapple, potato chips, fruit cake crumble or chocolate bullets for $10 or an ice cream sandwich or cones. For some reason it reminds me of the medical ambulances in MASH.
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Along the way I stopped to check out the BBoy/BGirl breakdancing competition (will put some videos up on my youtube channel when I get a mo). While I concede I know absolutely nothing about the ‘rules’ of this competition I always appreciate the extreme athleticism of the dancers … mesmerising. Even more impressive is the respect the crews show each other as soon as they finish, a great lesson for both the competitors and all those watching from the sidelines. Should be more of it in this highly competitive dog eat dog zeitgeist we live in.
© The Ponder Room
Time for some more food.
I’d been tempted by the sound of pumpkin and feta cigars from the Empire Mobile Food. I was delighted to find yet another stunning looking truck. The little details of the light, the foliage and the pitcher made me think the food would be high quality. It was fascinating to see the additional screened off cooking area, very clever!
© The Ponder Room
The pumpkin cigars did not disappoint. Crunchie pastry on the outside and soft pumpkin on the inside with a creamy dipping sauce. Getting four for $10 was excellent value. I ended up giving two away.
© The Ponder Room
Meanwhile at the Wetlands stage near the Art Gallery I took a break to hear one of the bands rostered onto the seven slots throughout the day. Look, I know that sentence doesn’t make sense but hey, give me a break I’m still in a food coma here.
© The Ponder Room
Time for sweets and Louis Boeglin Patisserie stall was calling.
True it was more of a stall than a food truck but with offerings like Vanilla Profiteroles, Lemon tarts, Choc Peanut Slice (their best seller), Rumble Eclair and 100% Raspberry Slice who’s going to argue the point. The profiterole won. It came with a lesson on how to eat delivered in a smooth French ascent from someone who I assum was Louis … ‘I suggest you take the lid off and eat that or it will go …’. Suggestion received it made it a lot easier to savour each mouthful as something so gorgeous should be. The creamy inside tasted like cheesecake, well worth the $3.50.
© The Ponder Room
And so as I sit avoiding my work, I ponder …
- I hope Food & Co do as they say and get some more trucks in Perth soon otherwise I can see several trips to Mandurah on the horizon.
- Will definitely be looking out for the Unexpected Ice Cream truck.
- Thank god I found the profiteroles at the end of the day rather than the beginning as the $3.50 price tag could have spelt trouble.
- It was really good to have some smaller options (e.g. one profiterole) so you could try out several trucks. It would be good to have more of this next year.
- This year there was a food truck stall showing for anyone interested in taking up the challenge.
- Thank you to all the organisers and volunteers for the many, many hours of hard work that goes into this event. Another highly successful year.
Now onto that deadline, it’s going to be a long night
For more information about the Food Truck Rumble click here.
