On the Menu Catering, Redneck Roadhouse food truck wound up after ATO court action

A well-regarded catering business and an associated food truck have both been wound up in insolvency amid a tax debt. The director’s husband says they were victims of circumstance.

Redneck Roadhouse has collapsed into liquidation, alongside associated business On the Move Catering. Picture: Facebook

A well-regarded catering business and an associated food truck have both been wound up in insolvency after the Australian Taxation Office took the company to court.

Mowbray Investments Pty Ltd, which purchased Yarrawonga-based On The Move Catering in 2019 and subsequently opened Redneck Roadhouse – a food van – was ordered into liquidation on July 24.

Liquidator Stuart Reid, of Rodgers Reidy NT, told this masthead the company was alleged to have owed the tax office approximately $110,000–$115,000.

The businesses ceased trading “immediately prior” to his appointment, with On the Menu posting to social media as recently as July 9.

Mr Reid said he was in the process of preparing the company’s plant and equipment, including two vehicles, for sale by way of public auction.

He said he did not anticipate realising significant value from the plant and equipment.

The company’s liquidation comes despite On the Menu telling its Facebook followers on March 4 that “we are pretty much booked out for 2024”.

Mowbray Investments Pty Ltd is the brainchild of Navy veteran Melissa Mowbray, who formerly found local renown as the talented cook behind the Twisted Baker, which she established in 2016.

Divorce Cakes, cupcakes and platters, Fancy a platter? Well, the team at Twisted Baker are catering for the occasion. Owner Melissa Mowbray with some of her twisted delights. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

Ms Mowbray, the company director, co-owns the company alongside her husband Mathew.

Mr Mowbray told this masthead the business’ decline was due largely to factors outside its control.

“We never recovered properly after Covid-19,” he said.

Turnover was also affected by anti-social behaviour that turned away walk-ins.

“We lost a lot of customers coming to the shop because of itinerants drunk and defecating in front of the business,” Mr Mowbray said.

He also claimed that a bad business deal, now the subject of legal proceedings, further drained the company.

“We could lose our house over this,” Mr Mowbray said.

“We feel terrible.”

On the Menu/ Redneck Roadhouse have been seen at locations recently including Rural Eats at Fred’s Pass, the Masters Swimming Australia national championships at Parap Swimming Pool, Berrimah’s Robbie Robbins Reserve, and Humpty Doo Village Green.

In addition to corporate catering and special occasion events, On the Menu continued to offer wedding cakes and other baked goods in keeping with Ms Mowbray’s background as the Twisted Baker.

Mowbray Investments is yet to file its report on company activities and property, wherein the company director estimates its debts and lists its assets.