New mobile truck spreading Soul Essence beyond the Bay

A mobile van is helping a popular Darwin eatery reach a larger clientele. Read what’s cooking.

Soul Essence on the Bay

A Territory food business has broken from its Cullen Bay moorings to target a wider culinary audience via a brand new mobile food truck.

Aboriginal-owned Soul Essence on the Bay bought the mobile food outlet thanks to a $226,190.62 Aboriginal Investment NT grant that targeted “elevating culinary experience and outreach” at the popular restaurant.

Soul Essence co-owner Petra Adams said the food truck was a “commercial kitchen on wheels” that allowed the popular eatery’s “old Darwin Town” flavours to be showcased across the Top End including at Kalkarinji and Kakadu.

Soul Essence began operating along Marina Boulevard in February 2022 with Petra’s Larrakia heritage helping set the direction.

Soul Essence on the Bay’s new mobile truck.

“As a Larrakia woman, I have special memories of growing up in little old Darwin, where family and community were at the heart of everything in life and being part of an Aboriginal family of mixed heritage,” she said.

“We grew up celebrating diversity and cultural experiences which were always accompanied by beautiful food, laughter and togetherness.

“I grew up with a passion for food and began experimenting with flavours and infusions I learnt from my grandparents, parents and other family and friends.

“I always treasured those times that brought people together, so I found myself always getting involved in big cook-ups and creating safe and loving spaces for family and friends to share deep connections and create lasting memories.

Soul Essence on the Bay’s Petra Adams.

“My love affair with food started when I discovered cooking shows. I was intrigued with food I never knew existed, and it was very exciting to see the delicacies created.

“It was through my working life and involvement in community activities relating to good mental health and wellbeing, I rediscovered the power of food and how bringing people together to share a meal … was the essence of who we are as people and a cornerstone of positive wellbeing.

“This passion inspired Soul Essence on the bay, quite organically, where we are building a vision to showcase the iconic and nostalgic, true flavours of Darwin, through the restaurant in Cullen Bay and through events catering with the Soul Essence food truck.”

The kitchen’s most popular meal is its signature curry bully beef arancini balls, with chicken vermicelli spring rolls and chashu marinated goose on a boa bun also popular.

Petra said Soul Essence supports other Indigenous businesses, including purchasing produce such as magpie goose, green ants, warrigal greens and saltbush from Territory-born former AFL footballers Daniel and Shannon Motlop, and tomahawk steaks from Gunbalanya meats in Oenpelli.

Originally published as New mobile truck spreading Soul Essence beyond the Bay