There's just something endearingly quirky about Mr Michael Van de Elzen.
With his ice cream styled Food Truck heading around the country, trying to change our perception of fast food and make it a little healthier, he's certainly been a winning presence on TV ONE and within the foodie industry.
So it's no surprise that a cookbook with his healthier take on the junk we consume has hit the shelves.
And what a cookbook it is - bright, breezy, packed with gorgeous pictures of the food, the truck and smiling people as well as Michael himself - this is a cookbook which is packed with personality.
Divided up into sections representing different takeout options, the book's a doddle to negotiate and a breeze to follow - it's simply presented, easy to follow and has also got a few words from Mike here and there as well as recommendations for healthier takeaway joints.
I have to admit though, these few recommendations are mainly Auckland based so I'm not sure how that will sit with those outside of the area.
There's also a brief overview of fast food in New Zealand, as well as a list of sauces, a guide to healthier ingredients, the basic essentials and a word from the Heart Foundation supporting Mike's quest.
But it's the recipes which are a stand-out. Bright and well presented, they look so appealing and simple to make. A foray into the kitchen to make Mike's traffic light smoothies showed how quick and easy it was to do and following the recipe (well, I say recipe, it's mainly a lot of blitzing and blending) I really had a sense of Michael at work here.
That's the thing with the Food Truck cookbook - it oozes Mr Van
de Elzen's personality throughout.
There's his quirky asides in the TV show which makes it
intrinsically Mike and there are those touches throughout the book
in terms of look and feel which make me feel that he's spent hours
poring over these recipes, perfecting the look of the book and
giving the fast food industry not only a healthy makeover but a fun
feel.
Everything in this book is achievable and can be done at home -
it's a beautifully vibrant cookbook and a valuable addition to
those looking to change their lives.
Win a copy of The Food Truck
Cookbook here!
The Food Truck Book by Michael Van de Elzen
Publisher:
Random house
Available: Now
RRP: $39.99