Summer vacation is the time when children like to just play and do nothing else. However, Tom P Jose, who will be in Class 10 in the next academic year, is busy serving biryani, tapioca, fish moilee and duck mappas on his food truck, with his twin sisters Sera and Sina who are seventh graders!
The trio, who run 'Tom's Food Truck,' vows that they would continue their business even after the school (St Peters HSS, Kurumbanadam) reopens. Their food truck at the bypass road in Palathra, Changanassery has been grabbing attention for the delicious food items that they serve. Besides, many are curious to know how three children are running a successful business.
Palathra bypass has now become a major food joint, with makeshift eateries and food trucks selling juice, tender coconut, barbecue dishes and many other items on both sides of the road.
Managing everything on their own
From serving the dishes to taking the money from the customers, the children manage everything perfectly. Their parents are Pakalomattam Jose Thomas and Jincy. The family was in Dubai until four years ago. It was Jose who introduced the idea of food truck business. After returning from Dubai, Jose began a catering firm. Besides, he started a food truck too.
The mobile kitchen has a stove, Bain Merry or the food warmer, a drinking water tank of 300 litres and a 2 KV inverter. Jose says that he had invested Rs 12 lakh, including the cost of the vehicle, to make all the arrangements in the food truck.
Meanwhile, the food is cooked by Jose, Jincy and his parents Thomas and Lisiyamma. Tom says that many students who study abroad often work to earn. He wonders why students here can’t do the same. Tom, Sera and Sina say that they would be in the food truck, in the evenings, even after the school reopens.