Surf’s Up in Tramore
Over the last few years, lots of great food businesses have opened in Tramore town, from fine dining to cool cafés and bustling bakeries but the food truck scene there has also come into its own. Word reached us via foodie friends of Little Catch Seafood’s delicious lobster rolls so we had to go fishing for more on Denise and the seafood splendor she serves up…
After nearly a decade spent working as a chef in restaurants from Dublin to Waterford, I decided to start my own venture and launched Little Catch in the summer of 2021. Specialising in a takeaway seafood menu and based in Tramore, Co. Waterford. I serve out of my vibrant pink and white food truck favourites such as, Lobster rolls, Crispy Prawn bao buns, Chowder, Smoked haddock arancini, Prawn toasts and lots more specials. I’m also proud to be able to source and use the best local suppliers, such as our lobster which comes from the nearby Copper Coast.
I’m also proud to be able to source and use the best local suppliers, such as our lobster which comes from the nearby Copper Coast.
Food Truck Freedom
What’s your favourite thing about having your own business and the most frustrating?
My favourite thing about running my own food truck is the mobility and flexibility it offers. I really love being able to bring my food to different locations and events around the country. Previously, I worked in kitchens in restaurants and I wouldn’t get the chance to interact face-to-face with customers so it’s such a nice change and great to meet so many friendly new faces.
The most frustrating aspect can be the logistical hurdles of running a food truck, such as finding suitable parking permits and of course the unpredictable Irish weather!
Describe an average workday.
Workdays usually begin with collecting fresh lobster, which I then cook, de-shell, and prepare for service, alongside prepping all the necessary mise en place for the rest of the menu. The following morning, I stock the food truck with everything we’ll need for the day. Later as the day winds down, the evenings are spent cleaning, prepping, restocking, and getting everything ready to do it all over again the next day.
What keeps you going or inspires you?
The freedom of being able to work for myself; this keeps me going. I can change the menu as I wish and create the food that I’m inspired by. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a satisfied customer enjoying my food and to hear their positive feedback. I also love traveling and seeking out a good food market or restaurant. I get great inspiration from this!
The freedom of being able to work for myself; this keeps me going.
Did you manage to get any support or funding for your business?
Initially, I got some support from my family and secured some funding through grants which helped me get started with purchasing the necessary equipment. My family and my partner Cathy have been an amazing support in the vision of Little Catch. I have a lot to thank them for!
Pop-Up Project
Can you see your business expanding further or have you any other projects that you’re working on?
Without a doubt! I see great potential for a Little Catch expansion down the line. However for 2024, my focus is to broaden our presence through increased participation in festivals, events and pop-ups. A collaborative project, I’m very excited to be invited to do is a Dinner Pop-Up with Chef Luis Martin of The Old Couch (now Mara) on the 8th & 9th of March . Together, we’ll curate a 11-course tasting menu that blends food truck cuisine with the sophistication of fine dining. This collaboration is particularly exciting for me as I’ve had the pleasure of working with Luis in the past.
Has having an online presence helped or hindered your business?
It has been incredibly beneficial. It has allowed me to promote our upcoming locations as we tend to be on the move a lot. Having good food content is also important, people eat with their eyes!
How do you engage with your online customer?
Primarily through Instagram* where I share or re-post our customer’s photos of our food and new updates on our location. It’s a fantastic platform for connecting with potential customers plus it’s lots of fun creating new content!
I’m very excited to be invited to do a Dinner Pop-Up with Chef Luis Martin of The Old Couch.
Tasteful Trucking Tips
Do you have any ‘time saving’ tips for business owners?
I suppose one of my top tips for food truck owners is to do efficient prep and planning, this will save you time during busy service periods.
What advice would you offer someone who is thinking of starting their own food business?
My advice for someone starting their own food truck business is to be passionate about your craft. Embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth. Surround yourself with great support. Make sure to build relationships with local suppliers and fellow food truck owners, and always prioritise quality and consistency.
Thanks so much Denise, see you soon for some sublime seafood and we hope the Pop-up Dining Experience is a huge success!
______________________________________________________________________________________
CHECKOUT the seafood inspired 11-Course Dining Experience on Fri 8th & Sat 9th March! BOOK via THE OLD COUCH CAFÉ website
*FOLLOW Little Catch Seafood on social for news, menus and location updates: Instagram & Facebook
______________________________________________________________________________________
For more Faces of Food interviews follow Tasteful Thinking on social | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | X
If you need content creation or social media management Contact – Tasteful Thinking We’re here to help 🙂
