- November 23, 2024
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Lee Buckner is ready for customers at his Southern State of Mind Food Truck. Photo by Wayne Grant
Gregory Jensen fills of bottle of olive oil at Ormond Beach Olive Oil Company. Photo by Wayne Grant
Food trucks have been growing in popularity, and a truck with a Southern flair has proven successful after opening a year ago.
Lee Buckner, a pastor for Worship by the Sea, which conducts Sunday services at Andy Romano Beachfront Park, operates Southern State of Mind food truck.
Buckner and his wife had experience in the culinary business. She ran a bed and breakfast and he was a restaurant manager.
“We usually say that I do the cooking and she does the booking,” he said.
When they got the opportunity to buy the truck, they decided to put their love of Southern cooking to work. They had lived in Virginia, Charleston and South Carolina.
“It’s a mix of Southern and Florida cooking and we put our own twist on it,” he said. “It’s been great.”
The truck pays the bills as he continues his ministry. Call 547-3567.
Ormond Beach Olive Oil Company opened a year ago in the Granada Plaza, offering a variety of extra-virgin olive oils and vinegars. This type of store has been popular elsewhere, and it has proved successful in Ormond Beach.
Owner Gregory Jensen now offers 85 different olive oils and vinegar from around the world. They have also added balsamic vinegar from Italy, spices and a line of honey from Savannah Bee Co. The Shores Resort and Spa now offers four of their olive oils and five vinegars.
They are also active online, adding 80 recipes to their Facebook page. They have an online store at ormondbeacholiveoil.com.
The many varieties of olive oil can be used on salads, meats, vegetables, pasta and pretty much anything. Jensen helps explain the possibilities to customers.
On Oct. 21 they are planning a special day at the store, marking their anniversary.
Call 333-9236.
