STEPHEN Seaman's passion for Rockhampton's culinary potential was infectious as he served up the first eager customers of his Kern Arcade shop front.  

As co-owner of Fresh Thailicious Delights, Steve has operated one of the only food trucks in the state for the past 15 years alongside his wife, Tan.   

But the couple could not be more excited over the family-run business' latest "incarnation" in what they see as the perfect location.  

"It's the original meeting hub," Steve said of the arcade, which provides a thoroughfare between Bolsover and East streets.  

"It's just continued on as the city has developed and I guess as the generations have grown through."  

The opening comes in the wake of a stream of Rockhampton eateries shutting up shop in recent weeks and months.  

But Steve is undeterred and says Rockhampton's foodies have made it clear Thailicoius's services are in demand.  

"We have seen a demand for our service grow substantially, we do a lot of private catering and I think we have got eight weddings this year," he said.  

"Part of our idea is let's get people into the arcade and make sure people consume at the arcade. Get a coffee, get a cake, get a spring roll, buy the paper, buy a dress.   

"We now know everybody in here, and it sounds like a bit of a cliché but there is a bit of a family attitude, we are not in competition with each other.   

"We all do our own stuff. Our only competition is in how well we produce what we produce, and how well we deliver our product to make sure kern arcade maintains its reputation."  

Tan and Steve have fed the masses via their food bus at events and food and wine festivals spanning Townsville to Toowoomba.   

But with continuing developments along the river front and a strong focus on food at events such as the Lunar Markets, the couple still have every intention of supporting and supplying local events with their food bus.  

"We built this vehicle to focus on local events, to support local events and facilitate bringing people into Rockhamton and Central Queensland, and providing an enjoyable memory of the place," Steve said.  

Rockhampton eateries  

Closures: 

• Pie Face (Stockland)
• Billy Blues Cafe (Allenstown Square)
• Subways (East St and Gracemere)
• Punjabi Indian Stockland Rockhampton

Opened:

• Max Brenner
• Malaysia House
• Gelatissimo
• Guzmen and Gomez
• Burger Urge