A MOBILE MODEL KITCHEN.
Page 15
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
WHAVE on many occasions in the past described various types of shops on wheels," by means of which enterprising tradesmen convey their goods direct to the buyer, and an interesting development of this type of vehicle. has just been brought to our notice by J. S. Fry and Sons, Ltd., the renowned cocoa and chocolate manufacturers, of Bristol. This company are large users of road transport vehicles, and it is only natural that, as firm believers in this form of locomotion, they should explore a further channel for the use of their motor vehicles in order to maintain the reputation of their products in the public eye.
With this object in view, they have recently put into service two models kitchens mounted on motor vehicle chassis, one being fitted on a 15.9 h.p. Fiat chas81S, which is illustrated on this page, and the other on a 27.3 lep. Buick longwheelbase chassis.
The company have as their main objects in using these vehicles, first to attract the housewife, and second to provide her with a cup of Fry's cocoa made as it should be. The itineraries of The vehicles are confined to the' suburbs of large cities and the, smaller rural towns, many of which have been rather neglected in the past.
As will be seen, the front of the vehicle is in the form of an entirely-enclosed coupe. It is completely weatherproof, and affords comfortable seating for the driver. The rear portion is a model kitchen, of which the two sides and back can be thrown open. The interior presents a very clean appearance, the walls being lined with white zinc tiling, and all the woodwork enamelled white. The floor is covered with blackand-white-squared Ihioletan, and the combined effect is extraordinarily bright and pleasing. A Perfection oil stove provides the heat for the cooking, and a Quicksey kitchen cabinet demonstrates the efficiency of a modern labour-saving contrivance. In order to compel attention, the vans have both been painted a warm and striking orange colour, which produces a very smart effect.' The vans are at present on tour, the Buick being engaged in a southern tour from Bristol, skirting the south and east coasts, whilst, the Fiat is travelling due north from Bristol through the industrial areas, and at. the time of Writing has reached North Wales.
It should be mentioged that each van is in charge of two lady demonstrators, both of whom wear distinctive uniforms.
This is an exceedingly novel idea of providing a new method of sampling Fry's pure breakfast cocoa, and that the experiment has proved eminently successful is evidenced from the numbers of people who flock to set the vehicles when they draw up in the local market places, both to satisfy their curiosity and to taste a beverage which possesses a worthy domestic reputation..
The idea underlying the employment of these vans is absolutely sound, for it will be obvious that it is one thing to supply a perfect article in the preparation of which much expensively acquired knowledge has been brought to bear, and quite another thing to ensure that the product shall be correctly treated when it gets into the hands ofthe average person. We are not a nation of cooks, and it is utterly surprising how ignorant is the average woman of the extremely simple art of preparing home stimulants, such as tea., coffee and cocoa; but, by demonstration the art is quickly taught, and the difference in the result most 'unquestionably have the effect of bringing a useful and pleasing beverage into favour in the homes of the country folk