It’s been more than four years since Lewis Lilburn first got his hands on his Land Rover Defender — which features its own pizza oven. After acquiring it with a friend from the Boat Inn in Aboyne, plans were put on hold due to lockdown. However, Lewis has since traded in his profession of furniture making to build his own career in the catering world. For the past year he has run the business primarily from the Highland Food and Drink Trail in Inverness. The 37-year-old claims Auld Smokey Pizza is one of only two pizza-making Land Rovers in Scotland — and he also owns the other.

The pizza stove adds a tonne of weight to the vehicle. Lewis says it isn’t an issue “as long as you don’t mind adding an extra half-hour onto your journey”. The ovens can get up to a restaurant standard of heat, with a temperature of around 380-450° Celsius. Pizza-making Land Rover sold itself, says owner Lewis said everything “fell into place very quickly” when he first spotted the quirky vehicle for sale in his hometown. Despite Covid putting the catering industry into a difficult situation, he feels “lucky” to have picked up Auld Smokey when he did. Lewis said: “The vehicle I now trade from came up for sale in Aboyne, where I’m originally from.

The author recounts their experience of starting a catering business during a recession. They faced challenges and had to adapt to changing circumstances. They learned valuable lessons about resourcefulness and adaptability.

* Lewis, a local entrepreneur, is involved in the Highland Food and Drink Trail in Inverness. * The trail has been a success story, attracting tourists and boosting local businesses. * Lewis’s involvement has been successful, with his business experiencing growth.

He has been experimenting with different flours, yeast, and other ingredients to achieve the perfect balance of flavor and texture. He believes that the quality of the pizza dough is the foundation for a great pizza. He is also committed to using fresh, high-quality ingredients for all his pizzas. Lewis’s passion for pizza is evident in his meticulous attention to detail.

It’s a great way to connect with people and share stories.”

This statement highlights the positive impact of the food and drink trail on the community. **Elaboration:**

* **Increased Tourism:** The food and drink trail has undoubtedly boosted tourism in the area. This is evident in the increased foot traffic and the influx of visitors seeking out the unique culinary experiences offered.

“One thing which we’ve done this year is invest in a small horsebox which gives us the best of both worlds in terms of a prep space and being a bit more streamlined. “There’s definitely scope for expansion and it would be lovely to have four or five based in different areas. “But we have to maintain our quality and make sure we have the right people and the perfect place to trade.”