Meet Misti Buard | Mobile Food & Beverage Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Misti Buard and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Misti, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
After falling in love with one particular food truck, I had an aha moment. I began to think of ways that I could bring positive exposure to the food truck community. Unfortunately, some people don’t see the beauty in food trucks – how they’re able to express so much creativity in small paces, but I wanted to show the world that food trucks often times have some of the most creative chefs you’ll ever meet. So, I started an “Instablog” titled Tasting & Talking. No matter where I traveled, I scheduled time to stop at a local food truck (or two, or three!), try their food, and meet their chef. The stories that the food truck owners shared inspired me, and I wanted to share that inspiration with the world. As I continued to blog about food trucks and their unique menus, I realized that I wanted to combine my love of food trucks with my love of marketing. Enhancing events using food trucks became something I began to think about day and night. I wanted to infuse late night eats with marketing events, weddings, festivals, you name it! And, that’s how Brand Appétit was born. ​

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Brand Appétit uses food trucks and bike carts to create elevated mobile food & beverage experiences. Like many, COVID-19 made me realize that I had to shift and pivot into a new direction. Most major events had been cancelled and we were scheduled to be at a few food & wine festivals. In March I reached out to Darryl Moore, Creative Director of D. Concierge Events. I wanted to relaunch Brand Appétit and I knew he was the guy who could help me create the experience that I was looking for. After a few meetings, we had an exceptional plan. However, the Universe had other plans. I was feeling somewhat defeated. Then I received a call from Darryl. He was planning (another) celebrity wedding and he wanted to include me. Initially we were planning to use a food truck to serve light bites during the cocktail reception. Darryl wasn’t completely sold on the food truck, so I began to pray for new ideas. That’s when I had a custom bike cart built. Her name is “Miss Emma”, after my late grandmother. Miss Emma made her debut at Grammy Nominated R&B Singer, MAJOR’s wedding in August. We served champagne popsicles from the bike cart and it was a huge hit. People Magazine published an article about the wedding and mentioned our bike cart. Things have been phenomenal since!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend of 20 years lives in Atlanta, and we have an annual friendship trip. If he were to come to Houston we’d do the following: Thursday when he lands in town, I’d take him Trez Art & Wine Bar. We’d share their margherita pizza, brussel spouts, tacos and have a bottle or two. The artwork is beautiful, and the soft music that plays would allow us to catch up. Then, we’d head to Third Ward and party at The Spot (where we can sing and rap to all of the songs we loved 15 years ago, and reminisce about undergrad). My best friend loves to cook and so do I, so Friday morning I’d take him to get a homemade breakfast from The Breakfast Klub. I’d be sure to get a few mimosa’s to go. I love Hermann Park, so we’d head there after breakfast to walk, talk, and possibly ride bikes around the park. We are both nappers, so we’d nap for a few hours and that evening we’d get “semi-cute”. I’d give him a few options for happy hour: Turkey Leg Hut, Bar 5015 or Olive + Twist. We both love live music, so we’d head to Phil & Derek’s after happy hour to eat, drink, and listen to the band. Saturday morning we’d cook breakfast together, and I’d take him to kayaking lessons at Discovery Green. Since I’m known as “The Food Truck Lady”, I’d have to treat him to one of my faves – either Lindiana’s (a vegan soul food truck) or Bayou City Eats food truck. Later in the evening we’d venture out to Sugar’s in Missouri City. Again, we love live music. Sunday in Houston is for brunch! I’d let him choose! I’d suggest Neyow’s or Taste Bar + Kitchen. So basically we’d need to fast for a week after his time in Houston.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
John Nicklos has been my #1 supporter as well as my business coach and mentor since the beginning of 2020. Webster didn’t create enough words to express my gratitude for this amazing being. Often times he challenges me and makes me want to scream, yet once I follow the advice he’s given — I win (in some aspect). He’s stretched me and encouraged me to think outside of the box. During our first coaching session he said to me, “I need you to let Brand Appétit go. I need you to stop holding onto it so tightly.” It took a few days, but after doing just as he said — amazing thoughts, ideas and clients seem to come my way.

Website: www.brandappetit.com
Instagram: @brandappetit
Linkedin: MistiBuard
Twitter: @brand_appetit
Facebook: @brandappetit

Image Credits
Ken Maurice Studios (bike cart images)