A BARBECUE food truck will pitch outside the White Heather pub in Ferndown on Friday evenings. 

Starting on January 12, Tucky’s Hog Roast & BBQ will trade between 5pm and 8pm, with customers encouraged to take their food into the premises. 

The landlords said: “Tucky’s food is well known and loved around the area, he has some amazing reviews and we have used him at the Albion [a pub they also run] in Verwood before, and had great feedback.”

What to expect from Tucky’s. Photo: Graeme Tuck.

Following a catering course at Bournemouth and Poole college, Graeme ‘Tucky’ Tuck has enjoyed a 27-year career in the food industry. 

He has worked as a head chef in restaurants across the south west, from The Chambers in Plymouth to St. Leonards Hotel in Ringwood, even serving as food operations manager at Greene King.  

But three years ago, the 44-year-old decided to move his cooking outside. 

“I went to a garden party and the hosts were running round like mad doing the barbecue,” he said. “They weren’t enjoying themselves.” 

Graeme, who lives in Ringwood, saw the opportunity and started his own business, but thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, this wasn’t easy.

“I had to deliver parcels for Amazon during the day,” he said. “Covid forced me to take a step back. 

“In my first year I spent a lot of time marketing, but now I’m starting to outgrow my trailer.”

Tucky’s catering at a large event. Photo: Graeme Tuck.

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He currently boasts a range of regular pitches throughout the week.

From Tuesday to Friday he trades during the day at a construction site in Fordingbridge, on Friday evenings he’ll be outside the White Heather, and at the weekend he caters large events. 

“With weddings, the sky’s the limit,” he said. “Whatever people want – lamb, prawns, Caribbean food – we can do it. 

“I sit down with them and ask ‘what’s your favourite food?’ because it should be what they want, not what their guests want.

“But there’s something for everyone: burgers, hot dogs, jerk chicken, vegetarian food. 

“I love it, it’s like being invited to a party every week.”

Tucky’s Hog Roast & BBQ will pitch outside the White Heather in Ferndown every Friday from January 12 between 5pm and 8pm.