Calling all food enthusiasts! Allow us to introduce you to Michelle and Elliot Leopold. This venturesome Worthing-based couple are the brains behind Summit Tasty, a food truck that sells loaded fries based on cuisines from all over the world and named after their globetrotting years high up in the mountains. If the tantalising smell of their dishes doesn’t win you over, their friendly smiles will do the trick. We caught up with the couple in between shifts to discuss their winter escapades and love for all things food.
After travelling around the world, what gave you the idea to settle in Worthing and start your food truck business?
Elliot: After six years of chasing ski resorts, Michelle and I decided to return to the UK in 2021 to get married with our loved ones around us. We also had to consider that we both required surgery and would need a place to recover. At the time, my best friend had moved to Worthing and highly recommended the area. So, we made the move and swapped the mountains for the sea.
Michelle: We were looking for a house and it just happened to have a van on sale, too. At the beginning of our time here, we were working in a factory and we were not the happiest. It gave us the idea to look into a food truck business. We eventually found the perfect van to renovate, Elliot quit his job and we spent two months building it up. During our time in ski resorts, we worked in hospitality as chefs. That’s how we developed our skills and knowledge of food. We wanted something simple and easily adaptable for everyone, so we chose chips as our main product.
Elliot: After living for two years in Canada, we started missing poutine a lot. There aren’t many places where you can find it around here so we decided to create our own version – poutine with a twist, inspired by our previous adventures.
Would you describe your Summit Tasty experience as an adventure?
Michelle: Oh yes. And a pretty big one! It was our way of continuing our adventurous lifestyle at home in the UK. We started it from nothing and we laid it out just how we wanted it.
Elliot: When we were travelling, we always had something new to look forward to. The food truck gave us that life back – every step is new and exciting. We also decided to name our dishes after different mountains, which is our way of sharing all our memories from our travels with our customers.
Did you visit all the summits you named your dishes after?
Michelle: We now have 19 dishes so it would be impressive if we had, but we did climb or see quite a few of them, such as The Tunnel Mountain in Canada, Mount Fuji in Japan, Mont Blanc in France, and Gran Paradiso in Italy. Our aim was to choose dishes that meant a lot to us, but of course, we’re adding others named after peaks we’d love to see in the future.
Elliot: Our next dish should be Greek. We’re going there to get some inspiration… Stay tuned.
Your menu is essentially vegetarian, what motivated that choice?
Elliot: We like to eat and cook meat or fish but we decided to not use them in our dishes. We want our business to be as sustainable as possible – it’s an eco-conscious choice.
Michelle: And honestly, vegetarian cuisine is just as delicious, we promise.
Are you taking part in any local events in 2024?
Michelle: We would love to go back to the Worthing Food and Drink Festival (3rd – 6th May, 2024). It’s the place to be! We had the chance to work there in 2023, which was very special. There are so many good food places and great people in the area. It’s a day where we celebrate our community and our job. All our friends can come and enjoy it with us. There’s a brilliant atmosphere!
Elliot: We are planning other events like the South Downs Show (10th –11th August, 2024), happening in the National Park in Hampshire. And, even though it’s not around here, we’d love to take part in Canada Day in London again (30th June, 2024). That would mean a lot to us.
What do you like to do in Worthing when you’re not busy cooking chips?
Elliot: You can be sure we’re eating and drinking! We’re always on the hunt for somewhere new, supporting other independent businesses. There is such a good foodie scene in Worthing, it’s just the best thing to do.
Michelle: You’ll probably see us at The Brooksteed micropub. They supported us so much, it’s a special place and also our favourite hangout. And, if the weather allows it, you can catch us at the beach chilling out.
How do you see the future of Summit Tasty?
Elliot: We’re looking to grow a little bit more, take on more events and eventually make it our full-time job. Our long-term plan is to be all Summit Tasty during the summer and travel in the winter to bring back other flavours.
Michelle: But it’s difficult to stay 100 percent positive about the future, small businesses are in danger and the most vulnerable! Many places are closing. So if we have a message for BOTI readers, it’s this: support food trucks and local restaurants. The cost of living is affecting us too and chains are winning the game. Try something different, you’ll be surprised and you’ll empower independent businesses.
Even during these difficult times, you still take the time to give to others…
Michelle: Of course. We’ve done a pop-up for our local Worthing soup kitchen and try to donate any leftover food we have.
Elliot: And you can do the same! If you ever have any leftovers, especially this time of the year, try and get in contact with any local soup kitchens/ food rescue services. It saves on waste and also helps to feed people who are struggling. We’re all in this together!
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