The food van is serving up vegetarian kebabs, Vada and sambar (fried savoury doughnuts served with lentils) Dosas (Indian crepe) rice and pilau bowls, samosas and Onion bhajjis and masala chai among other items.

‘It’s the beginning of a long-time dream’, for owner Gautham Rao who launched the business on October 26, a few days before the second lockdown kicked in, while juggling his regular job. However, he is staying positive after an ‘overwhelming’ response to his vegetarian and vegan menu offering.

Talking about his new venture, Gautham said: “It has been great so far. We have launched only a few days ago, but people are already asking for a franchise. That has been so encouraging to hear and see the kind of support we are receiving.

“I am originally from Chennai, India and have always wanted to have my restaurant. I worked as a chef in India for notable hotel chains including the Taj group. I trained in hotel management and was working with the Inter-continental group. I still have a job with them in London and I am working a few days a week, in their finance department.

“Last couple of years since moving to Peterborough, I started doing catering in the community, offering vegetarian food which I felt there was a lack of. After a lot of thought, instead of taking a place and risking everything especially amidst the pandemic, I thought I'll trial it like this first.

“So, I designed this van with everything that I wanted and got it built in Bradford. And I am offering simple, home cooked vegan and vegetarian food that I would eat normally at home.

“The response has been amazing, in-fact I am running out of food. I ran out of my dosa batter at 4 pm yesterday and I close at 8pm.

“My wife has been very supportive, with the preparations of the food despite having a full-time job.

“I am serving nearly 80 customers each day. But I don’t want to make a lot of quantity and freeze it. I want to make fresh food everyday even if I run out of it. That’s one thing I am particular about- eating and serving good, fresh food.”

But he could not have chosen a riskier time to launch a new business.

Gautham said: "Yes, it was going to be trick. I actually was getting ready to launch in April but the lockdown was brought in so we waited. And then we decided to open on October 26 and another lockdown was announced.But we thought, people will still eat food. They need to eat food. And we are allowed to run a takeaway serve. I did all my research and made sure I have got the relevant covid-measure sin place and decided to just go with it.

“I made sure I was affordable for everyone and offer fresh, good quality food that appeals to everyone. I have got vegan and gluten-free items on the menu as well for people with special dietary needs.”

Going forward Gautham is keen to train more people to come on board and lend him a hand. He has invited interested people with relevant safety and hygiene certifications to get in touch with him.

This is not the only food truck outside the shopping centre. ‘Nata On the Go’, selling Portuguese delights has been a popular spot since summer and has been offering a good selection of traditional tarts and pies from a truck.