#funstory

Picture this: a hulking black truck rumbles into view, its bold white lettering catching the sunlight like a beacon of cheesy goodness. This isn't your average delivery van – it's Gorilla Cheese, Canada's pioneering grilled cheese food truck that's been melting hearts (and cheese) across Ontario since day one. What started as two mates with a wild idea has evolved into nothing short of a Canadian culinary legend. But how does a simple grilled cheese sandwich become the stuff of food truck folklore? Buckle up, cheese lovers – we're diving into the gooey, golden world of Gorilla Cheese. From Purolator to Palate Paradise Enter Graeme Smith and his lifelong buddy, two Hamilton locals with a vision that was equal parts genius and deliciously mad. They spotted a retired black Purolator delivery truck and thought, "What if we turned this beast into the ultimate grilled cheese machine?" The transformation was nothing short of spectacular. That once-ordinary postal truck became a rolling monument to melted cheese mastery, complete with the now-iconic black and yellow branding that screams "serious sandwich business" from miles away. The contrast is striking – industrial meets comfort food in the most brilliant way imaginable. This wasn't just about slapping some cheese between bread and calling it a day. These Hamilton heroes recognised that the humble grilled cheese sandwich was ripe for a gourmet revolution. They were right – and Canada would never be the same. The Menu That Changed Everything Forget everything you thought you knew about grilled cheese. Gorilla Cheese took the childhood classic and gave it a PhD in flavour science. Their menu reads like a love letter to Canadian ingredients, with each sandwich telling its own delicious story. Take "The Lumberjack" – because nothing says Canada quite like maple syrup, right? This towering creation layers crispy bacon, tart green apple slices, and genuine Canadian maple syrup with marbled cheese that melts into pure heaven. It's breakfast, lunch, and dessert wrapped in grilled perfection. Then there's "The Uncle," a genius twist featuring tender corned beef that transforms the humble sandwich into something approaching art. But they don't stop at savoury – oh no. These culinary rebels experiment with strawberries, chocolate, and sweet-savoury combinations that would make a French chef weep with joy. What sets Gorilla Cheese apart isn't just creativity – it's the relentless pursuit of quality. Fresh ingredients, perfectly balanced flavours, and sandwich construction that borders on architectural engineering. Every bite delivers that perfect contrast of crispy exterior and molten, gooey interior that makes grown adults do happy dances. Branding Brilliance and Social Media Mastery The genius of Gorilla Cheese extends far beyond their kitchen prowess. Their branding game is absolutely next level – that bold black and yellow colour scheme doesn't just look cool, it commands attention from blocks away. The gorilla mascot brings playful personality to what could have been just another food truck. But here's where they really knocked it out of the park: social media. Long before Instagram food porn became mainstream, Gorilla Cheese was documenting their cheesy creations with the enthusiasm of proud parents. Their posts don't just show food – they tell stories, create anticipation, and build a community of cheese fanatics who track their every move. The witty captions, behind-the-scenes content, and genuine interaction with customers transformed followers into evangelists. People don't just eat at Gorilla Cheese – they become part of the experience, sharing photos and spreading the gospel of gourmet grilled cheese across social networks. Festival Circuit Champions Picture the scene: a sprawling outdoor festival, food trucks lined up like a delicious army, and there's Gorilla Cheese with a queue snaking around three city blocks. This became their reality across Canada as word spread about these sandwich magicians. From Toronto street festivals to Hamilton's biggest events, Gorilla Cheese became the headliner everyone wanted to book. Festival organisers knew that having that distinctive black truck on site guaranteed happy crowds and social media buzz. The combination of Instagram-worthy food, engaging branding, and consistently excellent service made them festival gold. Their festival success wasn't just about great sandwiches – it was about creating an experience. The team's energy, the truck's striking presence, and the anticipation built around each custom creation turned every festival appearance into a mini celebration of Canadian food culture. From Celebrity Status to Brick and Mortar When a food truck achieves genuine celebrity status, you know they're doing something extraordinary. Gorilla Cheese didn't just serve sandwiches – they created moments, memories, and a movement that elevated street food culture across Canada. The accolades poured in: "Canada's first grilled cheese truck," features in national publications, and a reputation that stretched from coast to coast. Food bloggers made pilgrimages to Hamilton just to experience the magic firsthand. Local media couldn't get enough of these sandwich revolutionaries who'd turned a simple concept into a cultural phenomenon. Success on this scale demanded expansion, and Gorilla Cheese delivered with the opening of their permanent restaurant at 131 Ottawa Street North in Hamilton. The brick-and-mortar location preserved everything that made the truck special while offering customers a stable home base for their cheese cravings. Lessons for UK Corporate Events Here's where Gorilla Cheese's success story becomes particularly relevant for our UK event planning world. Their journey demonstrates the incredible power of branded food trucks for corporate events, festivals, and public gatherings. Think about it – a distinctive, professionally branded food truck doesn't just serve food, it creates a focal point that guests remember long after the event ends. The visual impact alone generates social media content, while the quality experience builds positive associations with your brand or event. For UK corporate events, the Gorilla Cheese model offers brilliant inspiration. Whether you're planning a summer company picnic, product launch, or public festival, partnering with professionally branded food trucks creates authentic experiences that resonate with today's experience-hungry consumers. The key lessons? Invest in striking visual branding, prioritise quality over quantity, engage authentically on social media, and never underestimate the power of turning simple concepts into extraordinary experiences. The Lasting Impact Sadly the Gorilla Cheese Founder Graeme Smith lost his long battle with cancer, leading to the closure of one of Canada's premier food trucks, a big loss. What Gorilla Cheese achieved goes beyond selling sandwiches – they proved that with the right combination of creativity, quality, and authentic branding, even the most traditional comfort food can become a cultural phenomenon. Their black and yellow truck didn't just serve Hamilton and Toronto – it served as inspiration for food entrepreneurs across Canada and beyond. The ripple effects continue today, with countless food trucks drawing inspiration from their approach to branding, menu development, and customer engagement. They showed that food trucks aren't just about convenience – they're about creating connections, building communities, and transforming ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. For event planners and corporate clients considering food truck partnerships, Gorilla Cheese's success story offers a masterclass in how the right vendor can transform any gathering into something genuinely special. After all, who doesn't want their event to be the one people are still talking about months later? That's the true legacy of Gorilla Cheese – proving that with enough passion, creativity, and really good cheese, you can turn a simple idea into something legendary. Read the full article

Picture this: It's 1872 in Providence, Rhode Island. Gas lamps flicker on Westminster Street, horse-drawn carriages clatter over cobblestones, and somewhere in the shadows, a culinary revolution is about to unfold. Enter Walter Scott: a guy who probably had no idea he was about to spark the global street food phenomenon we absolutely love today. This isn't just another dusty history lesson. This is the wild origin story of how one enterprising bloke with a wagon, some sandwiches, and serious entrepreneurial spirit created the blueprint for every food truck rolling down your street today. And honestly? His story hits differently when you realize he basically invented the entire mobile food game from scratch. The Night Owl Who Started It All Walter Scott wasn't born into food royalty: he was just a regular guy who spotted a gaping hole in Providence's dining scene. Back in the mid-1850s, young Walter was hustling hard, walking the business districts with a basket full of candy, fruit, and newspapers. Think of him as the original street vendor, grinding it out one sale at a time. But here's where Walter's genius kicked in: he noticed something everyone else missed. Restaurants shut their doors at 8 PM sharp, leaving night shift workers: newspaper pressmen, journalists, bar patrons: completely stranded when hunger struck during their late-night grind. While everyone else saw a closed restaurant, Walter saw opportunity knocking. By 1857, Walter had upgraded from his trusty basket to a pushcart, adding hot coffee to his lineup. But the real magic happened in 1872 when this absolute legend decided to go all-in on the food game. The Birth of America's First Food Truck Get ready for this: Walter Scott basically invented the food truck by transforming a freight wagon into a mobile kitchen. He fitted it with a canvas top, cut windows into both sides so customers could order from the curb or street side, and parked that beauty right outside the Providence Journal office at 2 Weybosset Street. This wasn't just any ordinary cart. Walter sat inside on a box, serving up hot food from dusk until 4 AM: the original night owl operator. His setup was brilliant in its simplicity: customers could walk up, grab their grub, and get back to work without missing a beat. The menu? Pure working-class comfort food that hit all the right spots. Ham sandwiches, boiled eggs with a slice of bread, and slices of pie (mince and huckleberry were the crowd favorites) all went for just a nickel each. Want to go fancy? A full plate of chicken would set you back thirty cents: which sounds like pocket change until you realize that nickel is equivalent to about $1.10 today, and that chicken dinner? Around $7. Sound familiar? Walter basically nailed the fast-food pricing model 150 years ago! The Hustler's Paradise (And Problems) Business was absolutely booming. Walter's operation was so successful he eventually expanded to serve workers at all three Providence newspapers. But success came with its own headaches: some customers tried to dash off with free meals, forcing Walter to get creative with his security measures. His solution? Pure genius mixed with a dash of crazy. Walter would grab shifty customers' hats right off their heads as "insurance" until they paid up. By the end of his run, he'd accumulated an entire box full of bowlers and top hats from would-be meal thieves. Talk about unconventional collateral! The late-night crowd brought its own unique energy. Picture the scene: gas lamps casting long shadows, the clip-clop of horses echoing through empty streets, and Walter's wagon glowing like a beacon of deliciousness for anyone pulling an all-nighter. It was equal parts cozy and mysterious: the perfect atmosphere for Providence's night owls to fuel up. The Revolution Spreads Like Wildfire By the 1880s, Walter's concept had caught fire across New England. Entrepreneurs everywhere were thinking, "If this guy in Providence can make bank selling sandwiches from a wagon, why can't I?" In 1883, Ruel B. Jones, a former Providence police officer, jumped into the night lunch business and commissioned the first purpose-built lunch cart that actually let customers eat standing outside the wagon. Then Thomas Buckley in Worcester, Massachusetts, took things to the next level in 1887 by establishing the first commercial lunch wagon manufacturing operation. What started as Walter's simple solution to hungry night workers had morphed into an entire industry. Cities across America were suddenly dealing with traffic jams caused by mobile "Night Owl" wagons rolling through their streets. The concept was so popular that some cities eventually required these mobile kitchens to find permanent locations: and boom, the classic American diner was born. From Lunch Wagon to Chrome-Lined Dreams Walter's pioneering wagon evolved into something even more spectacular: the iconic American diner. Those chrome interiors, neon signs, checkered floors, and that unmistakable diner atmosphere? It all traces back to Walter Scott's simple covered wagon serving late-night workers in Providence. The lunch carts became known as "Nite Owls" or "Nite Lunch" wagons, and Walter's operation was often called the "Pioneer Lunch": a fitting name for the granddaddy of them all. These mobile eateries maintained Walter's core principles: affordable, quick meals for working people, available when other food options had shuttered for the night. The Modern Food Truck Renaissance Fast-forward to today, and Walter Scott's DNA is everywhere in the food truck scene. Every gourmet grilled cheese truck, every Korean BBQ wagon, every artisanal ice cream cart rolling through your neighborhood is carrying on Walter's legacy of bringing delicious food directly to hungry people. At Crazy & Co., we absolutely live for this connection to food truck history. When we roll up to your event with our funky fleet of mobile kitchens, we're not just bringing incredible food: we're continuing a tradition that started with one guy, one wagon, and one brilliant idea in 1872 Providence. The spirit of innovation that drove Walter Scott to cut windows in a freight wagon and serve ham sandwiches at midnight? That same energy flows through every food truck entrepreneur today who's pushing boundaries, creating new flavors, and bringing communities together one meal at a time. The Timeless Appeal of Street Food Culture What makes Walter Scott's story so compelling isn't just the historical significance: it's how perfectly his approach captures what we love about street food culture today. He identified an underserved community, created a solution that brought food directly to people where they were, and built something that brought folks together during their breaks from the daily grind. Sound familiar? That's exactly what drives the modern food truck movement. Whether it's serving late-night munchies to college students, bringing gourmet options to office workers, or creating those magical moments at festivals and events, today's food truck operators are channeling Walter's pioneering spirit. His story reminds us that the best food ventures aren't just about the menu: they're about understanding your community, meeting people where they are, and creating experiences that make everyday moments a little more delicious. Walter's Legacy Lives On Walter Scott continued his pioneering lunch wagon operation until 1917: an incredible 45-year run that proved his concept had serious staying power. But his real legacy isn't measured in years or profits; it's in the millions of food trucks, diners, and street food vendors who've followed his blueprint for success. Every time you hear the jingle of an ice cream truck, spot a food truck setting up at a festival, or grab a quick bite from a mobile vendor, you're experiencing Walter Scott's vision brought to life. He proved that great food doesn't need a fancy restaurant: it just needs passionate people willing to bring it directly to hungry customers. At Crazy & Co., we tip our hats to Walter Scott every time we fire up our mobile kitchens. His pioneering spirit, customer-first approach, and absolute dedication to feeding people well continues to inspire everything we do in the wonderfully wacky world of mobile food service. So next time you're enjoying street food, spare a thought for Walter Scott: the Providence legend who started it all with nothing more than a wagon, some windows, and the revolutionary idea that good food should come to you. Read the full article

Picture this: your guests are scrolling through social media when BAM! A burger so uniquely branded, so visually striking, that they can't help but screenshot and share. That's the magic of limited edition promo patties – they transform ordinary burgers into extraordinary brand experiences that people literally can't stop talking about. In the world of experiential marketing and brand activations, food isn't just fuel – it's a canvas for storytelling. And when you combine mouth-watering burgers with clever branding elements like custom buns, eye-catching flags, and themed toppings, you create something truly special: edible advertising that people actually want to consume. The Branded Bun Revolution: Your Logo Never Tasted So Good Let's start with the foundation – literally. Branded burger buns are the unsung heroes of promotional campaigns, turning every single bite into a brand touchpoint. Imagine your logo gently toasted into golden brioche, or your campaign slogan stamped right onto the top of a sesame seed bun. The beauty of branded buns lies in their subtlety paired with impact. They're not shouting your message – they're whispering it deliciously. Guests discover the branding as they unwrap their burger, creating that delightful "aha!" moment that makes them smile before they even take their first bite. But here's where it gets really clever: branded buns photograph beautifully. The contrast between your logo and the golden-brown bread creates an instantly recognizable image that screams quality and attention to detail. Whether you're stamping, embossing, or even using coloured doughs to create your brand colours, these buns become the perfect backdrop for social media gold. Consider the psychological impact too. When someone bites into a burger with your brand literally baked into it, they're not just eating food – they're participating in your brand story. It's intimate, memorable, and creates a connection that goes far beyond traditional advertising. Burger Flags: Tiny Billboards with Maximum Impact Now, let's talk about those little flags that pack a massive punch. Burger flags might be small, but they're mighty brand ambassadors that transform your promotional patties into picture-perfect marketing moments. These miniature masterpieces serve multiple purposes simultaneously. First, they're practical – keeping burger layers in place while looking absolutely gorgeous. Second, they're promotional powerhouses, displaying your logo, campaign hashtag, or key message right where everyone can see it. Third, they're Instagram bait of the highest order. The genius of burger flags lies in their versatility. Want to promote a new product? Pop it on a flag. Running a social media contest? Your hashtag becomes a flag. Celebrating a milestone? Commemorative flags turn every burger into a keepsake moment. But here's the real kicker: burger flags create natural photo opportunities. People instinctively photograph their food, and a beautifully designed flag gives them a focal point that includes your branding. It's like having a tiny photographer directing the shot, ensuring your brand appears in every single social media post. Themed Toppings That Tell Your Brand Story Ready to take things up another notch? Themed toppings are where creativity meets strategy, transforming ordinary ingredients into brand storytelling elements that guests will remember long after the last bite. Think beyond standard lettuce and tomato. What if your toppings reflected your brand colours? Purple cabbage for a tech company's innovation theme, golden corn salsa for a luxury brand's premium positioning, or spicy jalapeños for a brand that's all about bold moves. The magic happens when you create signature combinations that exist nowhere else. Maybe it's a special aioli that matches your brand colours, or a unique cheese blend that creates visual layers representing your company values. These aren't just toppings – they're edible brand experiences. Consider creating a "build-your-own" element where guests can customize their burgers with themed toppings, each representing different aspects of your brand or campaign. It's interactive, engaging, and gives people a sense of ownership over their branded meal experience. The Social Media Goldmine: Making Every Bite Shareable Here's where limited edition promotional patties truly shine – they're social media magnets that generate organic content like nothing else. Every element we've discussed – branded buns, flags, themed toppings – works together to create the kind of visual feast that demands to be shared. But it's not just about looking good (though that's crucial). It's about creating moments worth documenting. When someone receives a burger that's clearly been crafted with thought and creativity, their first instinct is to capture and share that experience. The key is building in natural share triggers. Maybe it's the satisfying "reveal" moment when they unwrap the burger and discover the branded bun. Perhaps it's the way the flag catches the light, or how the themed toppings create an unexpected colour combination that's absolutely stunning in photos. Smart brands are taking this further by creating designated photo opportunities around their promotional patties. Set up a backdrop, provide good lighting, maybe even offer props that complement your burger branding. Make it easy for people to create content, and they absolutely will. Creating Exclusivity: The FOMO Factor That Drives Action The "limited edition" aspect isn't just marketing speak – it's psychological wizardry. When people know something is only available for a short time or in limited quantities, it triggers that irresistible fear of missing out that drives immediate action. But here's the trick: you need to communicate that exclusivity clearly and consistently. Your branded buns should whisper "special." Your flags should scream "limited time only." Your themed toppings should feel like they were created specifically for this moment, never to be repeated exactly the same way again. Consider creating a countdown element. Maybe you're only making 500 branded burgers, and you count down publicly as they're consumed. Or perhaps your themed toppings are seasonal ingredients that truly won't be available again until next year. The more genuine the scarcity, the more powerful the pull. Implementation Magic: Bringing Your Vision to Delicious Life Ready to turn your campaign into a feast? Here's how to make it happen without losing your mind (or your budget). Start with your core message – what do you want people to remember about your brand? That becomes your creative North Star for every element, from bun design to topping selection. Work backwards from the photo opportunity. If people are going to share this, what needs to be visible and readable in a quick smartphone snap? Your logo on the bun, your campaign hashtag on the flag, and colours that pop against typical restaurant lighting. Partner with suppliers who understand your vision. Custom bun stamps, professional flag printing, and sourcing unique ingredients all require vendors who can execute at the quality level your brand deserves. Test everything in advance. The branded bun that looks perfect on paper might not photograph well in real restaurant lighting. The flag design that's gorgeous at large scale might be illegible when printed small. Measuring Success Beyond the Last Bite How do you know if your limited edition promotional patties campaign actually worked? Look beyond traditional metrics to measure the full impact. Social media engagement is obvious – track shares, mentions, and user-generated content featuring your branded burgers. But also monitor brand sentiment. Are people associating positive emotions with your campaign? Consider long-term brand recall. Survey participants weeks after the campaign to see what they remember. Often, the sensory experience of eating a branded burger creates stronger memories than traditional advertising. Track website traffic and conversion patterns during and after your campaign. Limited edition food experiences often drive people to learn more about the brand behind the creativity. The most successful promotional patty campaigns don't just feed people – they feed curiosity, create conversations, and build lasting connections between brands and their audiences. When you combine thoughtful design with delicious execution, you create more than just a meal – you create a moment that lives on in social feeds, conversations, and memories long after the campaign ends. Your brand deserves to be more than just another logo on a napkin. It deserves to be baked into buns, flying proudly on flags, and mixed into toppings that tell your unique story. The question isn't whether limited edition promotional patties work – it's how creative you're willing to get with yours. Read the full article

now I think it's funny but it really hurt me then.

OMG, now I see the price for not learning multi-language better. 😅

Оптика Невский Стиль, СПб улица Якорная дом 13, телефон 9464403 Марафон-проект «Радуга осени» Неделя VII: «7 оправ в ФИОЛЕТОВОМ» День 49-ой. Оправа № 49 – ФИНАЛЬНАЯ!!! Модель FNS-007 c 05 из коллекции Fun-Story Оправы очковые Fun-Story - это российская торговая марка и итальянское производство. Для детей и подростков от 7-ми до 14-ти лет. Яркие и стильные модели, вызывающих сочетаний цветов и трендовых форм. Футляр оправы стилизован под джинсовую ткань, а логотип бренде - в стиле граффити - дух бунтарства, свободы и жажды приключений. Модель FNS-07 c 05 – для девочки 7-10 лет. Размер оправы: 48-16-135 Особенности модели:  рамка оправы необычного цвета спелой ежевики интересно скомбинирована со светло-лиловым шарниром;  рамка оправы комфортная и достаточно крупная - оптимальна для очковой коррекции;  на левом заушнике - лаконичный логотип бренда Fun-Story, выполненный в белом цвете;  двухцветные, контрастные заушники из мягкого полимера открываются на 180о;  мягкий, эластичный шарнир, без единого металлического элемента;  материал оправ - безопасный, гипоаллергенный полимер;  оправа полностью произведена в Италии;  в комплекте к оправе: фирменный футляр, стилизованный под джинсовую ткань, и фирменная салфетка из высококачественной микрофибры. #оправыдлядетей#детскаяоптика#оптиканевскийстиль#funstory# #фиолетовый#оправадлядевочки#радугаосени (at ОХТА МОЛЛ) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5hvN8oCZPe/?igshid=qfru8lvwways