I’ve never been a big fan of chocolate syrup. Not since I found out it was the fake blood of choice in Vampire movies. Well, black and white movies anyway. It gave much better contrast than anything dyed red. This, according to the Universal Studios Tour circa 1973.

But anything else that’s chocolatey? Fine. So I was really delighted to hear about the Choc Star Mobile Chocolate Bar. This L-reg van, bought sight unseen on eBay, is to be found serving up chocolate that’s frozen (ice cream) baked (brownies, cupcakes and flourless sponge) warmed (real hot chocolate) and iced (milkshake).

Petra Barran, who came up with the idea, trained at Pierre Marcolini in Kensington, where  the spot-lit chocolates are kept in hand-made display cases. Now she’s working out of a van. Barran will venture out to private parties and bar mitzvahs – as long as the clutch holds out.

P1010001Where is the best street food in the world?

Mexico – fish tacos, ceviches, beef machacha, chilli-lime sweetcorn with cheese, churros, arroz con leche, tortillas…! Singapore – amazing night food markets with every conceivable type of pan food. And Istanbul – a mound of beautifully arranged mussels, each stuffed with a risotto type mix. They squeeze them with lemon and pass them onto you – 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. And the fish bread. And the pickles. And the kebabs. It’s everywhere, and so much fun.

Favourite street food memory?

Fish tacos by the side of the road near Ensenada, with tequila in a plastic cup and merengue wailing from an upper story window.

What’s the best street food you’ve had in this country?

Pancakes – real, proper English pancakes – from Suzettes operating out of Salisbury/Shaftesbury. I always have the classic with lemon and sugar. It’s nice to have a real pancake instead of a slightly tasteless crepe. And I love the pakoras from Mother Bhumis in Brighton. They make it all fresh – chopping up veg and serving it with their own pickles.

Are you all mates?

Yes, pretty much. Good people. We don’t work in offices but we do get a ‘workplace’ kind of banter that’s great. I love going to see everyone when I get to a market or festival. There’s an instant bond and understanding of one another. We know the life, we know the obstacles and the triumphs – and we all tend to be leaning in the ‘rollicking good fun’ direction with a bit of wanderlust thrown in. And people really look out for one another. Even those who seem a bit grumpsville in the beginning are soon lending you their leads/mallets/drills/milk before long. It’s nice.

Any secret ingredients?

Espresso powder.

The British are a nation of shopkeepers. If I told you I thought you were cool and entrepreneurial – an embodiment of the British spirit – what would you say?

British spirit is a thing of tenacity and vigour. We are a varied and punchy lot – so yes, I would agree. Also though, we don’t have the nomadic spirit coursing through us as others on account of being an island – so itinerant life is not so commonplace in our culture.

Does the fight for a good pitch ever get nasty?

No, because pitches are normally allocated. When fly-pitching it can get a bit heated – baseball bats and all. I got seen off a few times by beligerant Mr Whippys – ‘If my missus sees you here she’ll be right round, and she’s carrying, nowhadimean?’, etc. The politics of pitch/location at an event are between you and the organiser/market manager, not each other. It’s not a case of shoving someone else out of the way in a first come, first pitched sort of way.

Do you get pushed around by the authorities? Any examples?

Nobody pushes you around when you have choc as an antidote.

Would you open a restaurant if you had the chance?

Hell, no.

What is your signature dish?

Ultra brownie fudge sundae.

How is your van customised?

Sprayed by international graffiti don Insa, wallpapered, rope-lit, neon hued, choc splattered – both painted and real.