Aberdeen’s beach food trucks boom has already brought everything from Japanese cuisine to Mexican breakfasts and cheesecakes to the seafront.
But now a new truck has opened up, with serving up goose wings, cow ears and duck feet.
Most of us won’t exactly be queuing up for those unique offerings ourselves, but our furry friends might be clamouring to get their paws on the beach’s newest snacks.
And that’s exactly the customers Michelle Allison is after, as she tells us all about her new Aberpaws food truck.
I visited her on a gorgeous evening, to find out all about her wacky new dog catering truck.
How did she come up with quirky food truck?
On a lovely sunny evening, I headed down to the beach and met up with Michelle at her Aberpaws food truck.
As I arrive, crowds are taking full advantage of the weather by taking a stroll along the seafront, many accompanied by their dogs.
The 43-year-old, helped by her mum Mary, is hard at work getting her van ready for the big opening as she begins to tell me how her quirky idea came about.
“My husband and I were chatting about how we can progress the business,” Michelle explains to me.
“It was actually him that came up with the idea, and we thought ‘there’s nothing else like this’ and so we decided to go for it.”
The Aberdeen mum runs her own business, Aberpaws, walking and training dogs all across the city.
She tells me the process of setting up the truck has taken five months.
And she can’t believe that it will finally be open to the “puplic” this weekend.
Aberdeen dog food truck has everything to offer
Aberpaws food truck is a totally new venture at the beach.
Michelle offers organic, unprocessed dog treats which will have queues of pups tailing back along the seafront.
From duck wings and feet, rabbit ears and beef muscle, to more human-style foods such as doggy ice cream and bakery treats, there is something for every pooch’s palate.
Handmade toys are also on offer, which even the most excitable dogs will struggle to tear apart (although this will have to be put to the test with my own Frenchie).
And the most curious product yet, bound to make ears pin back and tails wag? Dog bubbles.
These come in a multitude of flavours including roast chicken and steak, and will have canines running around the garden trying to catch them all.
‘Why not something for the dogs, they love the beach’
But despite Michelle beaming with excitement and enthusiasm as she explains the concept and products of her truck, she is still nervous about embarking upon a niche business.
“Starting this has been a bit nerve-wracking,” The 43-year-old tells me.
“There’s nothing really like this around Aberdeen and I was thinking ‘Is this really going to work?’
“But the more we thought about it, we realised that the beach really is the place for it.
“It’s getting more popular with everything going on around it.”
Aberdeen’s seafront is becoming the place to go, as earlier this week the council ramped up its £48 million overhaul.
“Why not have something for the dogs as well? They love the beach!” Michelle laughs.
Pup community fully behind Aberdeen dog food truck
The Aberdeen mum tells me how her quirky food truck wouldn’t have been possible without the support of her day-to-day customers.
“My dog walking clients have supported me so much,” Michelle smiles.
“All of them have said it’s such a great idea.
“When I posted it on Facebook, there’s been so much supportive comments which is great to read.
“When you’re starting a totally new business, it can be a bit daunting but it’s great to read all the support.”
‘I’m especially looking forward to meeting all the dogs’
As we round off our discussion and turn our heads towards how she sees her first few weeks going, Michelle tells me she couldn’t wait to meet all her new customers.
“I’m looking forward to meeting everybody, especially the dogs,” the 43-year-old beams.
“I think it’s a great positive atmosphere when you come down to the beach.
“There’s such a great variety of people down here, it’s a great community.”
And with a sea of curious dog walkers strolling past curiously peeking at the treats and toys on offer, it’s only a matter of time before pups start dragging their owners to queue up at the Aberpaws van.
The Aberpaws dog food truck is now open at the Fittie end of the Esplanade in Aberdeen.
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