A boy. A girl. A food truck.
She’s a Chef. He’s a Smokehouse Master. Together they are The Sum Of All Smoke…
…She Said
Hello, I’m Wendi. Chef & Head of Marketing for The Sum Of All Smoke Food Truck & Catering.
Though having pursued a degree in Culinary Arts, truth be told, being a fantastic cook has little to do with formal schooling, although it will broaden your understanding of basic principles. Cooking is a feeling. Food understands if you respect it and It responds accordingly. It was my grandmother who taught me the art of cooking. It’s more than the preparing of food. It is a coming together of being and sustenance.
The relationships we build with others is what makes life worth living. Food is an integral part of that journey as it simply brings us together.
Thank you for pulling up a chair to our table.
He Said…
Meet Mark; Owner & Operator of The Sum Of All Smoke Food Truck based in Redding CA. A Smokehouse Master & our Hospitality Consultant. Mark has 37 years in the food industry & he’s been playing with fire & BBQ for even longer. With experience as a Sommelier, Mixologist & Caterer, we consider him somewhat of our hospitality & food Guru.
Back in the day, when service was king & people would pay for table side service, Mark was a Flambe Captain. Think Bananas Foster & Coffee MacAfee. What little boy doesn’t dream of setting things on fire?
This experience transcended well into the hospital kitchen where Mark has been serving his community for the last 25 years as Patient Liaison; bridging the gap between patient & kitchen.
Making people happy through food is what Mark does best. That legacy will continue through Smoke & Salt Food Truck.
A Place at the Table for Mikey
A Place at the Table for Mikey is a community outreach program ran by The Sum Of All Smoke Food Truck in honor of our late son Michael Kenneth Erickson (my son by birth, Mark’s by choice). Michael believed that our purpose is to help others reach their potential. He believed in second chances. Michael often scooped up, what some would call, the ‘undesirable’, the broken, the addicted, giving them a place to stay, emotional support & hope. In light of that, we seek to emulate his generous spirit by giving back to the very community that has supported our business & dreams. Our goal is not not simply to make a living but to make a difference.
These are some ways we have been able to give back.
Mentoring Culinary Students & other entrepreneurs in our community who share a passion for food, people & the art of bringing those two together.
Supporting the recovery community. Most people we meet have had their lives touched in one way or another by addiction. To those who are seeking recovery we wholly support you. We have been able to demonstrate this through both services & donations.
Donations to One Safe Place.
Showing up & lending support to families who have suffered a lose similar to ours; Miles For Ryker.
Michael had bright blue eyes, a contagious smile & an energy that could light up a room. He was a firefighter & did guardrail in the off season. But it was his kind, giving heart that made him so very special. Many times he gave his last $20 to a stranger who was ‘down on their luck’ as he put it. In the end he made the ultimate sacrifice. Michael drowned on May 3, 2020 saving someone else. In a notebook I found after his death he had written these words;
“The next time you pass by someone who is down on their luck, rather than just walk by, ask them their story. Then ask yourself, is there anything I can do to help this person.”
