El Gastronomo Vagabundo’s Adam Hynam-Smith

At a moment in time when food trucks and street eats have captured the popular gustatory imagination, if not that of the bureaucrats, El Gastronomo Vagabundo (EGV) has been on the scene–well, many scenes, as it were–as one of the province’s most popular “food trucks.”

And that descriptor applies only to the vehicle itself in the most perfunctory way: the food dished out of Adam Hynam-Smith and fiancee and business partner Tamara Jensen’s kitchen is miles and miles away in terms of goodness.

EGV serves, as just a few examples, delicious banh mi, pulled pork sammies, an absolute killer green papaya salad, and eminently noshable “hangover” tacos. We won’t describe the goods further because we encourage you to visit EGV: they appear regularly at Flat Rock Cellars winery in Jordan, Ontario. You can also check ‘em out here, too.

Hynam-Smith responds to WREats’ questions …

Best thing you’ve ever eaten?
Any of the street food in Thailand.

Other career you could have pursued?
Always wanted to be a chef.

Favourite beverage?
Beer.

Beverage that once just about killed you?
Bottle and a half of rum.

Chef you’d most like to meet?
David Thompson ["Nahm" in Belgravia, London's boutique Halkin Hotel].

Best footwear (for the kitchen or otherwise)?
Leather Birkenstocks & Dunlop “Volleys” ["well worn since 1939," the website says--Ed.]

Favourite ethnic food in Waterloo Region?
??? [Don't worry, Adam; we'll get you here for some bibimbap! -- Ed.]

What scares you in a kitchen?
Moron chefs.

Greatest failed recipe?
Not a recipe but burning a $200 tin of saffron!

Something that gives you great pleasure?
Seeing the reaction of happy diners.

A favourite teacher you’ve had?
My second chef, Melbourne’s Cath Claringbold.

Do you ride a bike?
Yes.

A moment in your life you’d like to have back?
No regrets.

Where were you born?
Melbourne, Australia.

Favourite band?
The Cat Empire.

Who would you like to cook for?
No one in particular.

The thing you wish for Waterloo Region?
Great growth in the food industry.

Go-to late-night snack?
Aussie meat pie.

Best thing about being a chef?
You get to eat your mistakes.

Most dumbest purchase you’ve ever made?
Tiger-print G-string.

Favourite city?
Melbourne!

TV chefs who annoy you?
All of ‘em!

Would you describe yourself as sweet or savoury?
Savoury.