Member Spotlight: Gyro Guys

Leicester based street food business Gyro Guys know a thing or two about a tasty pitta. Wowing tastebuds across the West Midlands, the Gyro Guys were recognised for their stellar produce at the Midlands Food Drink & Hospitality Awards last year, where they won Street Food Operator of the Year.

Composing mouth-watering, loaded gyros is an art that Gyro Guys have certainly perfected. We spoke to them about all things hospitality:

How did you get into hospitality?

We’ve always been involved in hospitality – with our parents owning cafés and restaurants!

If not working in hospitality what would you be doing?

I don’t think we could manage a life without it! I’d like to think I would be an accountant, and Ireland would be a graphics designer. Whatever we would be doing – I hope we’d spend the weekend going to events and reviewing the food!

Earliest food related memory?

We used to have Pizza Friday every week as a kid. Mum and dad would always be prepping for the weekends shows and festivals so my elder siblings would always get us a quick and easy dinner. It was the highlight of our week!

Favourite events to trade at?

We love trading at Bite Street! It’s fairly local to us and the atmosphere and customers makes it an enjoyable event to work at!

We’ve recently started trading with Digbeth Dining Club – and we’ve got some big plans in the works with them this summer…

Something you would change about the sector?

Where do we start? VAT, Corporation Tax and rising rent costs!

Most important lesson you’ve learned running this business?

Good things take time. If you have a bad day of trading – it’s not the end of the world, you gear up and go again the week after.

How often do you experiment with new ingredients / flavours?

Every day! I’m sure we haven’t had a simple dinner in years! We’ve always got to experiment , that’s what foods all about.

What song best summarises your business?

It depends if you’ve caught us on a good day or not! If it’s a good day, then the egotistical side of us says “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled

What hobbies do you enjoy out of work?

We try and get out and do exercise of any form where possible. I personally enjoy watching my beloved Aston Villa whenever I get a day off!

Tell us about a highlight from your time trading so far?

It has to be winning the MFDHA award for “Street Food Operator of the Year”. The feeling of our name being called out as the winner is indescribable, I don’t think we’ve had a feeling like it!

Are you more of a breakfast, lunch or dinner person?

It has to be breakfast! When we’ve finished the weekend at busy events – the first thought on a Monday morning is; “let’s get a nice breakfast!” Eggs Benedict is my go to. A full English is Ireland’s

One eating experience that always stays with you?

For me it has to be the Ice Cream Sink from Disneyland Florida! I think my sugar levels went through the roof after eating it all but it’s definitely worth it!

The pair of us love our American food! Whenever we go for our holiday there, we make sure to plan out the food options first.

Your ultimate food guilty pleasure?

Eating off every trader we’re working with! We make our way around to all the traders for some swaps, there’s nothing better than eating 5/6 meals after a weekend of work!

Does the world need more savoury or more sweet in it?

As savoury traders, we’re going to go unorthodox and say sweet! There’s nothing better than a dessert after a gyros – trust us, we’ve tried.

You can find out more about Gyro Guys and follow their journey here.