My professional life as a chef has been deeply rooted in sustainable, zero-waste cooking. It’s a skill I honed early in my career on national television for a TV series all about being sustainable and self-sufficient.

Another formative experience in my early career came through a TV series where me and my dad cooked for farmers, fishermen, and producers on a pilot cutter. Being a chef on the 20^th century sailing boat taught me the skill of cooking in transit, delivering big flavours in small spaces.

I wanted to do something similar with my Ranger Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV).¹ On my way back from my dad’s French Chateau, I started sketching ideas to modify my truck into my perfect mobile kitchen.

“It’s unbelievable how much the truck can fit inside — from its awning and water tank to a dedicated pantry space — all within such a versatile and capable vehicle.”

James Strawbridge, chef, author, and food photographer

Big Flavours in Small Spaces

I chose the Ranger PHEV for two reasons. Firstly, the truck is a perfect blend of all-terrain driving capabilities and sustainability. Secondly, my Ford connection runs quite deep, influenced by my two uncles who worked for the company. Ford’s commitment to affordability and sustainability has always resonated with me.

Once the plan to modify the Ranger took hold, the next step was reaching out to seasoned experts to bring these modifications to life. This meant connecting with Blok Pod. I communicated my ideas, and they were happy to collaborate.

My truck required certain essential modifications to match my unique chef lifestyle. I needed access to hot water for cooking hygiene. It had to be able to store ingredients, many of which I forage, and allow me to cook for groups in the local community, for my neighbours or just with my family when camping. It needed in-built electronic devices, fuelled by Pro Power Onboard.² Most importantly, it needed a cooking station that would be protected from bad weather — something we get a lot of in the UK.

Building the Perfect Adventure Kitchen

I balanced actively working with the Blok Pod team to ensure essential concepts were implemented, while trusting their expertise. They are specialists, and I had confidence they would deliver the modifications — like you trust a chef with the best recipe and finest ingredients.

And deliver they did. The Ranger PHEV they presented was a marvel of practical design, outfitted with all essentials I’d asked for. It boasts a fully functional hot water system, cold storage for perishables, a cleverly designed pantry, and a 270° awning for cooking in bad weather.

They even included a shower, a feature I’d cheekily requested for cleaning up after sailing and surfing. It’s unbelievable how much the truck can fit inside — from its awning and water tank to a dedicated pantry space — all within such a versatile and capable vehicle.

These upgrades have added so much to my day-to-day life. Driving 20 minutes for fresh oysters on the truck’s electric charge. Cooking a meal at the beach under the awning after surfing. Barbecuing food for the local youth rugby team I coach. Having a comfortable space to cook and shower while camping with family. The modified Ranger PHEV is perfect for all scenarios.

The Culinary Adventures Ahead

My professional life extends beyond cooking; I am also a published author, a food photographer, and a content creator. I’ve always been mindful of how I approach my photography and visual content, especially since much of it is created in unique locations.

I’m always striving to frame my content with natural light by windows or unique outdoor backdrops. With this Ranger, I can now take my photography and content creation a step further, driving to breathtaking locations in Cornwall, setting up my fully equipped outdoor Ranger kitchen, and capturing unique photos and videos.

This journey is just beginning. My personal aspirations with the Ranger PHEV are immense. I plan to take the kids on more outdoor adventures, now with comforts uncharacteristic of such expeditions. I'll explore every bit of my local Cornish landscape. And I'll continue to forage ingredients — now with the off-roading and storage capabilities of my Ranger.

Long-term, I aspire to use my modified truck to become even more integrated with the community — sharing meals, actively helping with local initiatives like the youth rugby team. I’m also excited about challenging myself culinarily. I want to experiment with the kind of food my mobile Ranger kitchen will allow me to cook on the go. Perhaps a fancy dessert out of the back of my Ranger is on the cards soon.

The Ranger PHEV isn't merely a vehicle; it has transformed into my mobile kitchen, adventure hub, and sustainable partner.

James Strawbridge is a chef, author, and food photographer

¹ Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid homologated CO₂ emissions 143-145 g/km WLTP Euro 6e-bis (UK: 70-72 g/km Euro 6e), homologated fuel efficiency 6.2-6.4 l/100 km WLTP Euro 6e-bis (UK: 3.1-3.2 l/100 km Euro 6e) and pure electric driving range up to 43 km WLTP. The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO₂ emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. A range of up to 43 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration. The actual range may vary due to various factors (e.g. weather conditions, driving style, route profile, vehicle condition, age and condition of the lithium-ion battery)

² See Owner’s Manual for important operating instructions