Street food camper follows the seasons

Private enterprise is alive and well in Mangawhai, and showing the enjoyment of food has no boundaries.

Good food can be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere – the little black 1977 ‘Beddie’ camper sporting the Off The Grill logo is testament to that.

Regular weekend spots may be anywhere in the Kaipara there are hungry people from galas to markets across the Kaipara, or maybe just a sunny Mangawhai beach front.

Like many chefs Lance Nepia has honed his craft from the small beginnings of the family barbecue and a passion for good, tasty and healthy food.

In ten years as a chef Lance’s work ‘experience’ has taken him to some of the finest restaurants, but he has now come full circle back to his Kaipara roots.

Lance was Intrigued by the overseas street food scene and that planted the seed from which his current business has grown.

Along with wife Nena, the couple have developed a mobile food business that suits their lifestyle and forms their ideal balance between food and family.

“I can be anywhere across the Kaipara at any time depending what events are on,” says Lance, who is also available for private catering.

Lance’s food travels have crafted his technique, allowing him the luxury of throwing together the quintessential Kiwi burger or alternatively turning it into a gourmet meal featuring contemporary exotic tastes in any of the 20 or so dishes on his menu.

“The summer season has been good to us and feedback has been great,” says Lance “but I now have to keep developing the range of food options to suit the change of seasons, then be ready for the school holiday visitors and into spring again with some new tastes for the summer crowd. Bring it on!”

BALANCE: The distinctive Bedford food truck delivers a passion for good, tasty and healthy food.