Pop-up food truck night big hit for Ballarat foodies

The popular Melbourne trend of eating gourmet food from trucks and vans has made it’s way to Ballarat for the entire month of March and it’s already proving a big success with the locals.

More than 500 people pulled up a seat at the Hop Temple car park on Wednesday evening for the first food truck night as part of their March into Autumn initiative.

Co-organiser Brian Taylor said the idea of multiple food choices in the one spot drew in crowds across all ages and demographics, with many jumping at the opportunity to try something new.

“They (locals) want to be involved in new trends,” he said.

“These are foods that aren’t offered everyday in Ballarat, so it’s about being able to have choices.

“It’s also about the atmosphere (that people enjoy).”

Mr Taylor said the Wednesday night event, which will see a selection of different food vans feature each week, added to Ballarat’s developing food scene.

“Food wise Ballarat is growing at a quick pace, we know that because people tell us that this is what they want,” he said.

Co-organiser and Round the Way Bagels owner Ryan Slater said he was blown away by the number of people willing to try something new.

“It was an unbelievable response which really shows that people want it,” he said.

“People are excited to eat food they don’t normally eat that’s also cheap. It’s also something the whole family can get down to.”

He said while their bagel van had been involved in the food truck scene in Melbourne for the last five years, it was great to see Ballarat starting to put their own twist on it.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing it grow,” he said.

The pop-up event will continue next Wednesday in the Hop Temple carpark, off Armstrong Street, with Round The Way, TOASTA and Taco Truck Melbourne appearing.

The night forms part of Hop Temple’s March into Autum initiative which takes place between every Wednesday and Sunday with events such as Meet The Brewers Thursday and live music on Sundays.