A former Masterchef star is looking to bring something “totally different” to Darlington as he launches a new food truck with a health-kick twist.
Television chef Matei Baran this week launched Natural Health Bar, serving up smoothies, breakfast, and natural meals from a spot in Darlington Market.
The 48-year-old wanted to bring something unique to the already vibrant food offerings at the market - and was also inspired by his dramatic weight loss several years ago that saw him drop a staggering 11 stones in six months.
Natural Health Bar is serving up a range of smoothies - all on offer for £4.50 - with flavours including berry power (a blend of berries), super green (apples, celery, and spinach), and tropical blue (banana, citrus, blue spirulina, blueberries, and chia seeds).
It's also got a range of breakfast options, including porridge, yoghurt, and the super avocado (sourdough, poached eggs, avocado, cherry tomato, parmesan, and balsamic).
“It’s totally different,” Chef Baran, who also runs the Casa del Alma Mexican restaurant on Skinnergate, told The Northern Echo this week.
“There is nothing like this in Darlington. It’s been in the pipeline for a couple of months, we wanted to add something different to the market - and it’s a popular trend.
“We’re doing protein shakes, breakfasts, freshly made salad boxes, and so on. I think it’s a nice concept and it’s different. It’s good for people that have a busy life but still want healthy food.”
Not only is the health bar concept “on trend” but has a special personal link to Mr Baran, who himself had an amazing transformation after shedding the pounds in 2020.
When he reached the quarter-finals of MasterChef: The Professionals in 2016, Chef Baran, who had the nickname of Big Chef, weighed 198kg.
“I couldn’t walk 500 metres,” he admitted. “I was drinking 15 to 20 cans of fizzy drinks a day and I was diabetic.
“I would come back from work and I’d stop at McDonald’s along the way. Then I realised that I needed to do something.”
He’s now continuing his healthy lifestyle: “I went to the gym, walked, swam, and I did it. I lost 11 stone in six months, and I reversed my diabetes without any medication.”
It's been a "quiet" start for the new food trailer, which opened on Thursday (October 17), but Mr Baran said it's "just getting started" and is looking forward to a special promotion on Monday, with everything already "going smoothly".
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Chef Baran wants to continue the healthy theme by conducting some healthy cookery workshops with children in the market - which could take place as early as next month.
Natural will be hosting a special deal this Monday (October 21) where Chef Baran will be giving away 50 free smoothies to the first lucky customers between 12pm and 1pm.
Natural Health Bar will be open every day between 9am and 3pm.
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