Discover the Newest Addition to Our Culinary Experience at The Cliffs: The Cliffs Food Truck

In recent years, food trucks have become a popular phenomenon, offering a unique and delicious dining experience. From savory tacos and juicy burgers, to sweet desserts and refreshing beverages, these mobile kitchens on wheels are serving up some of the tastiest dishes in unexpected places.

And, we are so excited to announce the latest addition to the culinary experience at The Cliffs –– our very own, fully loaded food truck. The celebrated cuisine members at The Cliffs crave can now cruise down neighborhood streets. Let’s learn more about the chefs who turned their vision into a reality that is now available to our Cliffs members.

The Concept 

The marinating and prep that has gone into The Cliffs properties first food truck makes Julia Child’s beef bourguignon look like a microwave dinner –– but all involved say the wait has been worth it! “Chef Shawn Creef has been working with me on this,” says Senior Executive Chef Francis Turck. “We wanted a truck that will bring the fun to events at The Cliffs while maintaining the quality and variety of dishes we’re known for.” 

Block parties, birthday parties, Beach Club parties –– they are all simmering, as the chefs simply pass the keys off to one another. Turck wipes his hands on his apron while saying, “We just want to make sure it’s utilized between all the communities, and everyone gets a chance to do something special with it.” 

The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards General Manager Brian Fox says, “This idea had been in Chef Francis Turck’s brain a long time. It’s nice that it has finally come to a reality and is operating.” 

The Food Truck’s Features 

While the chefs are a fundamental part of the food truck’s success, the capabilities of the food truck will ultimately determine if certain dishes are possible while on the road or not. After an initial search for just the right truck, Turck and Creef went back to management to grow the budget. After months of planning and execution, a 30-foot, custom truck outfitted with the latest equipment is ready to roll through all seven properties. 

“So many trucks are one-trick ponies. They’re a taco truck, or a Greek gyro truck. They don’t have a full stove and you have to compromise when cooking,” explains Turck. “But we wanted to do it all. We’ve built a truck with a six-eye burner, convection oven, flat-top griddle, double fryer, heating wells, refrigerator, small freezer, and a refrigerated prep station.” This means no more getting by trying to keep food warm, or cold, with heat packs and travel coolers.

“We upgraded the truck in so many areas, even in lighting, music, and an extra awning that tables can fit underneath the chef shares. We worked as a team to come up with all of these ideas and we’ll be able to serve residents with all kinds of themed menus.” 

The Chefs

Each chef has a “strength” and they are ready to hit the road, “I’m crazy about Italian, so I’ll do Italian nights,” Turck says “Shawn is quite the barbecue guy. Imagine doing a barbecue throwdown at the Equestrian Center. And Rob is crazy about Mexican food. There will be nachos at some point because he’s a nacho connoisseur.”

Members can rent the truck, and in addition to forming the secret sauce for new events, it enhances established events with just the right amount of spice, “It’s an opportunity to take a kitchen anywhere,” says Fox. “We’ve been limited in how far away from the kitchen we can serve quality food and this enables us to take it anywhere. I’m encouraged by the challenge of providing interesting menus and this will enable our chefs to showcase their creativity at golf tournaments, member’s homes, a great spot by the lake, wherever we feel like it.”

A One-of-a-Kind Culinary Experience at The Cliffs

The culinary program at The Cliffs is an unparalleled experience for food enthusiasts. With seven private communities, The Cliffs offers an abundance of fine dining and culinary offerings to its residents and guests. Designed to provide its members with exceptional dining experiences, the culinary experience at The Cliffs promotes healthy and sustainable lifestyles. 

One of the highlights of The Cliffs’ culinary program is its farm-to-table approach, focusing on the use of locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are both flavorful and nutritious. The Cliffs’ chefs work closely with local farmers to source the freshest ingredients, including produce, meats, and artisanal products. This not only supports the local economy but also ensures that the dishes served at The Cliffs are of the highest quality.

The Cliffs also host a variety of food-focused events throughout the year, such as wine tastings, culinary retreats, and special dinners. These events provide an opportunity for residents and guests to sample the best of the region’s culinary offerings, while also learning more about the art of food and wine pairings.

Our culinary experience and wine program are just a couple of the many luxury amenities we have to offer our members at The Cliffs. To learn more about life at The Cliffs, contact us by clicking below.