There is no better place to be than the Flow Johannesburg offices at lunchtime on a Wednesday, when those in the building are treated to some fine meals.
But on Tuesday 14 January there was some consternation among staff as lunchtime approached – there was no “come hither” smell from the downstairs kitchen, where Khanyi Shabalala usually prepares the food.
Worried that there might be no lunch, project manager Kat Fouche broke the silence and asked, “Khanyi, what’s up for lunch today?”
“I’m sorry guys, but there is no lunch today,” was the reply.
What? No lunch? Panic started spreading through the Flow ranks.
But a few minutes later someone caught sight of a 5 Star Street Chef food truck parked in the Flow parking lot. And indeed, MD Tiffany Turkington-Palmer set everyone’s mind at ease by confirming that said truck would be the source of the day’s lunch.
Phew!
On the menu for the day was a Thai chicken slider served on baby spinach with peanut satay and pickled onion; a five-spices beef slider served on lettuce with hoisin mayo and topped with pickled veg; and a vegetarian option consisting of a chickpea slider with lemon mayo and pickled vegetables. All dishes were served with chunky potato wedges.
The truck was staffed by operations manager Teresa Fouche, driver and griller Thabo Tseke, and multitasker Precious Mokoena.
Said a bubbly Teresa about what to expect from the lunchtime treat: “We are different from a street-corner café; we are a truck! We use free-range chicken, handmade into patties. Our sliders are smaller than traditional South African burgers, while the food also has a lot of Asian flavour to it.
“The pre-preparation is done on our premises, but the grilling and cooking is done in the truck, using freshly baked rolls and other locally bought ingredients.”
She explained that the truck is 5 Star Street Chef’s first truck, which has been operational since last September and is owned by company Martha’s Mojo. Its owners, Teresa said, have travelled extensively, hence the food-truck idea and Asian-themed dishes.
One of the first to test the menu was Flow chairman Bheki Shongwe, who gave it a firm thumbs-up, before showing some concern about his body: “Are we gonna have this for lunch everyday? Because then I’ll have to befriend the gym.”
Khanyi was glad there was more than one option for those fussy eaters and dieters: “I’m impressed there are options and not a set menu like I have.”
The writing studio’s very own foodie, Willem Steenkamp, loved the “thick, juicy patty”, while Zintle Mtyeku raved about the fresh ingredients and the “awesome” peanut satay.
We are counting the hours until next week, when Teresa has promised another round of lunchtime treats.
When the food truck is not booked for functions, you can catch it in Parktown North, opposite the Foundry, from 11am to 2pm every day. On Saturdays, it is parked at the Jozi Food Market at Pirates Sports Club in Greenside, or at the Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein.
You can also follow the truck on Twitter (@5Star_chef), so you always know where it is.