A Renfrewshire street food caterer collecting a top award was left stunned when he returned home to find his van tyres slashed.
Richard McShane runs The Rollin Pig which operates out of a unit on Ann Street in Johnstone.
His business – which he launched eight years ago – was awarded the title of best street food in Scotland at the Food Awards 2022 earlier this week.
However, while celebrating at the awards ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow on Monday night, yobs slashed two of the tyres on Richard’s van, which he uses for his business up and down the country.
The hapless vandals were caught out, however, as they took to social media to share their exploits on Snapchat.
Richard said: “They’re clearly not the brightest, so it shouldn’t be too hard to track them down.”
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Richard’s business sees him travelling to various events and locations throughout the country, where he offers outdoor catering, as well as cooking up a storm at The Yard.
“That van’s a big part of the business," he said. "It was due to go to the Isle of Arran this weekend for a wedding.
"It’s frustrating because you’ve got these neds that are trying to attack your business, and all you’re trying to do is work hard.”
Richard had the motor in the garage the very next day so that he can fulfil his commitment to his client for their special day.
He started the Rollin Pig as a part-time street trading business when he was back home from his job offshore.
He’d had prior experience working as a chef and says he was used to working 60-hour weeks, so when the lengthy time off from his job offshore came around, he was keen to occupy his time.
“I had all this free time on my hands so I was looking for something to do," he explained. "I was with my dad [who is also a caterer] and he was talking about he had this medieval event coming up that he needed some food for.
"And I said to him, 'why don’t you do a hog roast' and so the next thing I was up in Glasgow buying a hog roast machine and that’s how the Rollin Pig got started."
The team at the Rollin Pig beat off competition from street food providers elsewhere in Scotland and Richard says he’s proud of his team and also grateful for all the support he’s received from his family.
He’s also proud of the locally-sourced produce that goes into his food and shops local.
Expanding the outdoor catering element of the business is on the cards and Richard hopes to be able to offer more varied options for people.
He said: “The Rollin Pig’s what we’re best known for but we make all sorts and cover all the bases."
A spokesperson for The Food Awards Scotland said: “We would like to congratulate all finalists and winners for their achievements.”
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