In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Matilda, the creator of @butterbabynz, a brand that has captured hearts (and taste buds) with her creative donuts and nostalgic flavours.

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Matilda for several years and have always admired her passion, resilience and creativity. This conversation is one of the most honest of the season, full of raw emotions—not just from Matilda as she reflects on her journey, but also from me as your podcast host!

From her humble beginnings as a shy chef in male-dominated kitchens to building a bakery brand that celebrates heritage and innovation, Matilda’s journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Featured in this Episode

Special Shoutout
This episode is proudly sponsored by @culleys, New Zealand’s award-winning hot sauce and condiment brand. Add bold, vibrant flavours to your meals with Culley’s! Use the code FOODTRUCK at checkout on culleys.co.nz to get 25% off your purchase.

Thinking About Starting a Food Truck?
Check out my Food Truck 101 Online Course at @foodtruckfoundations 

Learn everything you need to know to launch your food truck business with confidence—save time, money, and avoid common mistakes that most newbies make!

Follow the Journey

Don’t Forget
This is the final episode of Street Food Stories Season#1! Thank you for all your support and guidance through this journey, especially my incredible podcast guests, series partner Culley's and editor Lara Franks!

If you’ve enjoyed the series, please leave a review and rate the podcast, it helps us reach more listeners and grow our amazing foodie community!

Follow the podcast on Instagram at @thefoodtruckpodcast for behind-the-scenes updates and announcements about Season 2.. Excited to return for Season 2!

In Episode 11, I’m joined by Nathan and Mulan, the duo behind Lalele Organic Gelato. For over 10 years, they’ve been crafting organic gelato, waffles and smoothies using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Starting with no business plan and learning as they went, Nathan and Mulan built a family-run business that has become a staple of Auckland’s street food scene.

We dive into their journey, from creating a product they’re proud of to the sacrifices of raising four kids while building a business. You’ll hear their advice for new entrepreneurs and why their motto has always been to just start.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Culley’s, New Zealand’s award-winning hot sauce and condiment brand. Add bold, vibrant flavours to your meals with @culleys ! Use the code FOODTRUCK at checkout on culleys.co.nz to get 25% off your purchase.

Check out my Food Truck 101 Online Course at www.foodtruckfoundations.com

Learn everything you need to know to launch your food truck business with confidence—save time, money, and avoid common mistakes!

Lalele Organic Gelato: @lalele_organic

In Episode 10, I’m joined by Elliot, the mastermind behind the Roaming Flamingo Food Truck. From competing on MasterChef to launching a taco truck in just a few months, Elliot shares his whirlwind journey of bringing bold, global flavors to Auckland’s streets.

We dive into his risk-taking spirit, the challenges of food truck life, balancing family and business, and his secret to the juiciest tacos in town.

What You’ll Learn:

- How Elliot transitioned from fine dining and gin making to street food.

- The DIY lessons learned from building a food truck (in a flood!).

- Tips for succeeding in the fast-paced food truck world.

- Why flexibility is one of the biggest perks of owning a food truck.

- The evolution of Auckland’s thriving street food scene.

Special Shoutout: This episode is proudly sponsored by Culley’s, New Zealand’s award-winning hot sauce and condiment brand. Add bold, vibrant flavors to your meals with Culley’s! Use the code FOODTRUCK at checkout on culleys.co.nz to get 25% off your purchase.

Thinking About Starting a Food Truck? Check out my Food Truck 101 Online Course at foodtruckfoundations.com

Learn everything you need to know to launch your food truck business with confidence—save time, money, and avoid common mistakes!

Follow the Journey: Elliot: @flamingochefnz 

Welcome back to The Food Truck Podcast! This week, we’re diving into the incredible journey of Sarah and Otis, the masterminds behind The Lucky Taco, one of New Zealand’s first gourmet food trucks which launched back in 2013!

In this episode, Sarah and Otis share:

- How a life-changing trip to Mexico and LA inspired their love for tacos.

- The challenges of building their iconic food truck in 2013 and being pioneers in the NZ street food scene.

- Their transition from serving tacos on Ponsonby Road to creating nationwide products like hot sauces and taco kits.

- Lessons learned from scaling their business, facing setbacks, and finding balance between quality and growth.

- Honest insights about the grit, resilience, and passion it takes to thrive in the food truck industry.

This episode is packed with inspiration, real talk, and advice for anyone dreaming of starting a food truck or growing their own foodie empire. Stay connected with Sarah and Otis by following The Lucky Taco on Instagram for updates on their food truck, new products, and exciting collaborations.

🎧 Tune in now to hear their amazing story!

Big thanks to Culley’s, New Zealand’s award-winning hot sauce and condiment brand, for powering this episode! 🌶️✨ 🔥 Exclusive Listener Offer: Get 25% off your next Culley’s purchase. Just head to culleys.co.nz and use the code FOODTRUCK at checkout. Don’t miss out—add some bold flavours to your meals today!

Feeling inspired to start your own food truck? Check out my Food Truck Foundations Online Course for all the tools, tips, and insights you need to get started. Head to foodtruckfoundations.com to learn more!

In this episode, Maggie sits down with Adam, founder of Smoothe Operator, a smoothie business known for its quirky personality and refreshing blends. Adam shares his journey of moving from the UK to New Zealand and how a simple hangover craving sparked the idea for his smoothie business. With a mix of humour and authenticity, Adam has crafted a brand that resonates with his Kiwi audience, all while balancing a full-time job and evolving his business in the street food world.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Links Mentioned: Follow Smoothe Operator on Instagram: @smoothe_operator

Learn more about Maggie’s Food Truck Foundations Online Course: @foodtruckfoundations

A BIG thank you to our sponsor, @culleys Use promo code 'FOODTRUCK' for 25% off at checkout: culleys.co.nz

Don't forget to Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform, leave us a review, and follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and updates: @thefoodtruckpodcast

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we dive deeper into the world of street food!

In this episode Maggie sits down with Brian, the owner of Hash n Smash, an Auckland-based food truck known for serving up delicious smash burgers. Brian’s journey into the street food world is anything but inspirational. From starting his career studying IT at university and working as a personal trainer to becoming a well known food truck legend in Auckland.

What you'll hear in this episode:

- The leap from personal training to street food: How Brian's career shift led to the founding of Hash and Smash.

- Starting small: Brian’s early days trading from a simple gazebo and the lessons learned from those humble beginnings.

- Building a brand: The story behind creating a custom-designed food truck and how it elevated the Hash and Smash experience.

- Navigating partnerships: Insights into the challenges and eventual separation from a business partner, and what it taught Brian about running a food venture.

- Drawing inspiration from travels: How Brian’s trips to New York and Europe influenced his approach to food and service.

- Challenges of the street food scene: The realities of finding high-quality ingredients, maintaining consistency, and keeping up with customer expectations.

Links Mentioned:

Follow Hash and Smash on Instagram: @hashandsmash

Learn more about Maggie’s Food Truck Foundations Online Course: @foodtruckfoundations

A BIG thank you to our sponsor, Culley’s! Use promo code 'FOODTRUCK' for 25% off at checkout: culleys.co.nz

Don't forget to: Subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform and leave us a review to help more food truck enthusiasts find our show! Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and updates: @thefoodtruckpodcast

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we share more stories from the world of street food!

In this episode of Street Food Stories from The Food Truck Podcast Host Maggie chats with Natalia, the 26-year-old entrepreneur behind Natalia’s Food Truck Journey. From starting her career at 16 to winning the People’s Choice Award at the Auckland Street Food Awards, Natalia’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and hard work. She shares how she turned her passion for cooking into a thriving food truck business, balancing work with family support, and keeping her business running year-round despite seasonal challenges.

What you'll hear in this episode:

- How Natalia started her business at 22, fuelled by her love for cooking and family support.

- The story of how she bought her first food truck and financed it with help from a Māori women’s development loan.

- Creative ways she keeps her business active during the off-season, like pop-up events and grazing tables.

- The importance of tracking events and building systems to stay organised and profitable.

- How Natalia finds balance by prioritising self-care, including gym routines and family time.

Links Mentioned: Follow Natalia's Food Truck Journey on Instagram: @nataliasfoodtruckjourney

Learn more about Maggie’s Food Truck Foundations Online Course: @foodtruckfoundations

A BIG thank you to our sponsor, @culleys! Use promo code 'FOODTRUCK' for 25% off at checkout: culleys.co.nz Don't forget to: Download and subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform and leave us a review to help us reach more food truck enthusiasts!

Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and updates: @thefoodtruckpodcast

In this episode of Street Food Stories from The Food Truck Podcast

Host Maggie sits down with Max Washer, the third-generation operator of the legendary Auckland food truck, The White Lady, which has been serving the city for 76 years. Max shares the rich history behind this iconic family business, how he embraced his role in carrying it forward, and the challenges of balancing tradition with innovation. From serving late-night crowds to expanding into events and brick-and-mortar locations, Max dives deep into the evolution of The White Lady and the importance of community in keeping a business thriving for decades.

What you'll hear in this episode:

Links Mentioned:

Follow The White Lady on Instagram: @thewhiteladynz

Thinking about starting your own Food Truck? Learn more about Maggie’s Food Truck Foundations Online Course: @foodtruckfoundations

A BIG thank you to our sponsor, Culley’s, New Zealand’s award-winning hot sauce and condiment brand. Use promo code 'FOODTRUCK' for 25% off at checkout on their online store: culleys.co.nz

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform and leave us a review to help us reach more food truck enthusiasts!

Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and updates at @thefoodtruckpodcast

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we dive into more delicious stories from the world of street food!

In this episode of Street Food Stories from The Food Truck Podcast, host Maggie sits down with Tim Van Der Werff, founder of Double Dutch Fries and co-founder of The Food Truck Collective. Since launching his Dutch fries food truck nearly a decade ago, Tim has been a pioneer in Auckland’s street food scene. He reflects on his journey from humble beginnings with hand-cut fries to establishing multiple trucks and running successful events.

Tim also shares invaluable lessons on building a thriving food business, the collaborative spirit behind The Food Truck Collective—which Maggie and he co-founded—and the importance of community in evolving the street food industry.

What you'll hear in this episode:

- How Tim transitioned from a corporate career to becoming one of Auckland’s most recognised food truck operators.

- The journey of Double Dutch Fries – from cutting fries by hand to mastering efficient operations with custom-built trucks.

- Lessons learned from running both pop-ups and food trucks, and why Tim prefers the fast-paced mobile business.

- Insights into how Maggie and Tim co-founded The Food Truck Collective and changed Auckland’s food truck scene.

- Tips on managing staff, setting goals, and maintaining quality in a seasonal business.

Links Mentioned:

Follow Double Dutch Fries Journey on Instagram: @doubledutchfries

Check out The Food Truck Collective for upcoming events: @foodtruckcollectivenz or book your own food truck hire at www.foodtruckcollective.co.nz

Learn more about Maggie’s Food Truck Foundations online course, covering everything you need to know about starting your own food truck: @foodtruckfoundations

A BIG thank you to our sponsor, Culley’s, New Zealand’s award-winning hot sauce and condiment brand. Use promo code 'FOODTRUCK' for 25% off at checkout on their online store: culleys.co.nz

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform and leave us a review to help us reach more food truck enthusiasts!

Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and updates at @thefoodtruckpodcast

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we dive into more delicious stories from the world of street food!

In this episode of Street Food Stories from The Food Truck Podcast, host Maggie sits down with Carmel and Tomer, co-founders of Carmel Street Food. Since 2017, they have transformed their passion for food into a thriving business in Auckland, known for their commitment to community and authentic flavours. In this episode, Carmel and Tom share valuable insights and strategies for building a successful food business, highlighting their journey from market stalls to a must visit eatery in Auckland!

What you'll hear in this episode:

- How Carmel and Tomer began their culinary journey and found their niche in the Auckland food scene.

- Strategies for creating strong community ties and fostering customer loyalty.

- The importance of balancing quality food with sustainable business practices. - Navigating the challenges of running a food business in a competitive market.

- Tips for aspiring food entrepreneurs on building and scaling their own ventures.

Links Mentioned:

Follow Carmel Street Food on Instagram: @carmelisraelistreetfood

Learn more about Maggie’s Food Truck Foundations online course, covering everything you need to know about starting your own food truck: @foodtruckfoundations

A BIG thank you to our sponsor, Culley’s, New Zealand’s award-winning hot sauce and condiment brand. Use promo code 'FOODTRUCK' for 25% off at checkout on their online store: www.culleys.co.nz

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform and leave us a review to help us reach more food truck enthusiasts!

Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and updates at @thefoodtruckpodcast

Stay tuned for our next episode, where we dive into more delicious stories from the world of street food!