A chef hopes his catering business – in a converted vintage van – will be a runaway success.
Holme Valley chef Tom Bartle is converting a 1950s Citroen H van into a mobile kitchen for weddings, festivals and other functions.
Tom, 26, of Brockholes, has worked in restaurants around Huddersfield and the kitchen of a five-star hotel in Missouri, USA.
But following a proposal from his stepdad and vehicle restorer Graham Morton, Tom decided to become his own boss.
Graham, who runs GM Vehicle Services, Holmbridge, offered to restore the vehicle and convert the interior into a kitchen with an oven, hobs, griddle and fridges.
But Tom, who will be running the business with his partner Kat, won’t be serving the usual burgers and hotdogs.
Instead he’ll be cooking healthier fare, such as Turkish flatbreads and slow cooked meats, for classier occasions.
The van should be roadworthy by July, although its wheezy 1950s engine may struggle with the Yorkshire hills.
Tom, who has a catering degree, said: “It runs but going up the hills round here you might be in trouble so we’ll tow it.
“I’ve been working for a lot of people but I’ve had my own ideas and I think now I know how to make it work.
“I thought there was a gap in the weddings market.
“Here you just turn up and you’re ready to go.”
And Tom’s business has its first booking – for a family friend’s wedding.
He said: “We’re nervous but excited about it.”
The Citroen H van was produced by the French company between 1947 and 1981.
Some 473,289 were produced although most were sold in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The van was nicknamed the ‘Pig Nose’ (Nez de Cochon) after its snout-like front end.
