Well, I did get out last week.  It was in Niagara and I did feel inspired.

So let me tell you then about my “Get out Niagara” topic for Inspiration in Niagara.

I haven’t read the rules, but I am thinking I can write about a duo and peapod cuisine Inc., aka El Gastronomo Vagabondo are my topics.
One could also call them by their names and that would be Tamara Jensen and Adam Hynam-Smith.

This young couple is doing some really cool stuff and a few things that are a bit different here in Niagara.

Adam is a trained chef hailing from Australia. He has trained in many of the finest restaurants around the world with some extremely talented chefs.
Tam is clearly very clever.  She has a Masters degree in Forensic Psychology. She did a stint in her hometown of Ottawa as a government employee, and enjoyed the true satisfaction of a fulfilling job. Okay…well, not really.  She worked for 2 years, then made the decision to see a bit more of the world, travelling ultimately to Barcelona where she met Adam on a beach.  Baking, I wonder?

Regardless, they found each other, returned to Canada and ultimately Niagara.

I met them in the spring, when they initially came out to buy seeds and plants for their new garden. I loved their enthusiasm. They were doing catering as peapod cuisine, and had struck up a good relationship with Flat Rock Cellars in Jordan, doing a number of events for them.

Fast forward to Thursday past, the 29th of July. A totally new and very exciting (inspiring-yes!) venture.

Canada’s first mobile food truck is officially launched! It is el Gastronomo Vagabondo.

This trend, quite big now in the US, has hit Canada.  We aren’t talking fry trucks.  This is great  food created with inspiration from world travels and adventure. Gourmet tacos, lovely fresh salads, and a revolving menu, with food sourced from nearby farms, their own garden and the Flat Rock garden too.

The truck will be at Flat Rock throughout the season on Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday. Then they’ll be available to relocate to other sites, certified kitchen intact, or perhaps even roaming neighbourhoods close to you, announced via social media.

It is good food.  Very good food. Well thought out, simple and flavourful, using very fine local ingredients.

And Adam and Tam’s enthusiasm is inspiring. They are excited about their venture, excited about their food and excited about Niagara.
I love when they pop over for veggies, tasting their way through the garden when others dare not.
Particularly around the hot peppers.

This sort of venture is so unique in Niagara.  It is certainly not your typical winery restaurant of winery restaurant fare.  it is casual and comfortable. it’s easy to pop in the car and say, let’s go to Flat Rock for dinner. You should try it!

Best of luck, Adam and Tam.  Good things are ahead!

This is one of 1 posts written by Linda Crago for GON.