Meet Gary & Ashley Southard | Owners & Operators – The Magic Food Bus

We had the good fortune of connecting with Gary & Ashley Southard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gary & Ashley, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Gary is a Michigander who moved to Colorado in 1997 . From a young age, he witnessed his parents’ unwavering work ethic. His father, a military veteran, sailed the Great Lakes and worked in the shipyards as a skilled machinist. Meanwhile, his mother held various jobs, including shrimp packing, waiting tables, and cleaning offices.

Growing up with such hardworking parents instilled in Gary the importance of discipline, hard work, and dedication. As a result, he has developed a strong sense of responsibility and organization. He is a natural when it comes to managing finances, and always ensures that our numbers make sense.

After attending the renowned Johnson and Wales culinary school in Rhode Island, he embarked on a transformative internship at the Garland Lodge and Golf Resort in Michigan. There, he had the privilege of learning from a Chef who was on the Culinary Olympic team renowned for running some of the world’s most intense and high-end dining establishments. This experience ignited a true passion for cooking within him, and honed his attention to detail to a level that is second to none.

Gary’s upbringing has undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping who he is today. His parents’ example has taught him the value of determination, self-reliance, and commitment. Gary’s attention to detail and his meticulous approach to his work make him an invaluable asset to our business.

Ashley is a proud Coloradan who was raised by a single mother, who also happened to be a successful small business owner. From an early age, her mother instilled in her the value of hard work, self-reliance, and determination. Witnessing her mother’s unwavering dedication to her business and her ability to balance work and family responsibilities left a deep impression on Ashley’s own views on work-life balance and pursuing one’s passions.

Growing up in a household where food and cooking were much loved, Ashley developed a refined palate and a natural talent for culinary arts. She is passionate about cooking and loves nothing more than spending time with friends and family bonding over meals and exploring new cuisines.

Ashley’s upbringing has without a doubt shaped who she is today. Her mother’s example has taught her the importance of perseverance and the value of being self-sufficient. Ashley’s love of food and cooking has given her a creative outlet and a way to connect with others. Her passion for culinary arts is evident in her sophisticated palate and her talent in the kitchen.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In June 2020, we launched the Magic Food Bus, where our culinary expertise came to life. With a combined total of 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry, we, as trained chefs, are passionate about creating globally inspired street food with fresh and fun flavors.

At the Magic Food Bus, we firmly believe that good food brings happiness, and we take great pride in offering not only amazing food but also stellar customer service. We are thrilled to share our magic with customers and to spread joy wherever we go. Our flavorful journey promises to leave customers craving more.

In a highly competitive food truck market, we knew that we had to stand out by offering high-quality and distinctive dishes that couldn’t be found elsewhere. To achieve this goal, we made a strong commitment, dedicated ourselves to excellence, and pursued our vision relentlessly.

As we continue on our journey with the Magic Food Bus, we have encountered numerous obstacles that we have had to overcome. From finding suitable locations to park and ensuring full compliance with local regulations and health codes to building a loyal customer base, navigating through a multitude of challenges has been a constant theme.

Even inclement weather presents a challenge, impacting our sales and making operating the bus more difficult. Additionally, the physical maintenance of the bus is an ongoing concern that requires regular attention to ensure it is in optimal condition.

Despite these challenges, we have remained steadfast and committed to our pursuit of success. We understand that setbacks are an inevitable part of any business, but our resilience and determination have allowed us to adapt and overcome them. With a passion for exceptional food and dedication to outstanding customer service, we are confident in our ability to continue growing and thriving in the industry.

Our hard work and perseverance have allowed us to carve out a unique niche in the food truck industry, delighting customers with exceptional flavors and unparalleled customer service. We take pride in delivering the highest quality dishes and experiences to our valued customers, and as we continue to grow and evolve, this focus remains unwavering.

Our commitment to excellence has earned us a loyal following and a reputation for being a standout food truck. We are constantly seeking ways to innovate and improve, from exploring new flavor combinations to enhancing our customer service. As we move forward, we are excited to build upon our success and continue to exceed the expectations of our customers with every dish we serve.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
It’s such a challenge to choose from the plethora of fantastic dining and drinking options available to us in Denver and the surrounding cities.

We’re particularly excited about the emergence of new food halls and marketplaces, which offer a variety of delicious options in one convenient location and provide smaller businesses with the opportunity to flourish. So we would definitely try and go to all of them in the week our bestie was here.

For breakfast, we would visit Pete’s Café in Thornton, Denver Biscuit Company, Freshly Laid Food Truck in Lafayette and probably have some home-cooked meals to nurse our hangovers.

During lunch or happy hour, we can’t resist Smok in The Source and Fish and Beer, and we would have to brewery/food truck hop starting at Odd 13 for some Temaki Tornado, Something Brewery for Simply Pizza, LUKI Brewery, and Second Dawn for whatever food truck is serving up deliciousness that day. We also love River North Brewery and Black Shirt Brewery for their amazing brews and cool vibes.

We also really hope our bestie visits during market season so we can hit up the amazing farmers markets all over the city.

When it comes to dinner, we’re absolutely obsessed with ChoLon, Saftas, Root Down, Avanti F&B, A5 Steakhouse, Daughter Thai, and the Kabob Station on 120th. Each of these places offers a unique and unforgettable dining experience that we can’t get enough of.

For fun, we would definitely explore the Botanic Gardens, The Museum, RiNo Arts District, Meow Wolf, and indulge in some classic Casa Bonita (we can’t wait for its reopening!). We would also catch a concert at Red Rocks and go hiking in Eldorado Springs. And, of course, we’ll be spending a morning playing pickleball with @joe_puhr before heading off to Kingman Estates Winery for some wine tasting. To cap off the day, we’ll take a leisurely stroll over to Queen Bee Brews for some delicious mead.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our beloved family and cherished friends who have supported us from the very beginning and continue to do so three years later. Many of them have become regular patrons, often ordering food from the MFBus at least once a week, if not more.

Their unwavering support and patronage have been instrumental in our success, and we are deeply humbled and grateful for their generosity. Their love, encouragement, and loyalty have buoyed us through both good times and bad, and we are honored to have them in our lives.

To our family and friends, we say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are the reason why we do what we do, and we will always cherish your support and friendship.
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Website: www.mfbusco.comn

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_magic_food_bus/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MFBus5280/

Image Credits
Tyler Kenyon @denjeneats