Craig Youdale, acting dean of the CFWI, stands in the new state-of-the-art food truck.
Above: The food truck was parked outside of the Wine Visitor + Education Cantre on Sept. 25. A photo of culinary grad Megan Proper adorns this side of the truck.
Excitement is kicking into high gear with the new CFWI food truck on the scene.
The food truck could be seen parked in front of the Wine Visitor + Education Centre on the week of Sept. 25 and will be making its unofficial debut at the Niagara Wine Festival on Sept. 28.
Acting dean of the CFWI Craig Youdale noted that the food truck will play a significant role in academics at the CFWI. Culinary students learn about food trucks as part of their program and spend a week in labs cooking food truck food.
He noted that food trucks have become an increasingly important part of the food scene in recent years.
“Go to all the major cities in North America and you can locate where all the food trucks are in the city. We want to be part of that culture,” he said.
In addition to academics, the food truck will be used for catering and promotional purposes.
Unlike typical food trucks that are designed for one or two specific foods, the CFWI food truck is a fully functional catering kitchen complete with a sandwich station, flat-top grill, multiple fryers, two convection ovens, full refrigeration, and two freezers. Its state-of-the-art interior gleams in floor-to-ceiling stainless steel which not only looks aesthetic pleasing but functions to maintain cleanliness.
A three-compartment sink is also among its unique features. It has capabilities to be self-contained with its own generator, propane and water systems.
“We can hook it up but we could also drive it to the middle of the vineyard and cater an entire dinner,” Youdale said.
Plans for the food truck include a regular and consistent presence at both the NOTL and Welland Campuses starting October as well as an official launch event. Details will be announced on InsideNC once dates have been scheduled.
The food truck may have just arrived, but it has already had its first television debut. The Weather Network featured Youdale and the CFWI food truck as it reported from the Niagara Wine Festival on Sept. 25.
