Eating on the road can be challenging for drivers, but PAM Cartage Carrier driver Royce Irvin does not let this stop him from having ‘home-cooked’ meals straight from his truck. Royce has been with PAM for 3 years, and through trial and error, he has developed a system for creating meals that are budget-friendly, balanced, and easy to make while on the go.
When Royce first started driving, his dinners consisted of air-fried frozen food. He quickly found that this type of food was not sustainable and caused him to feel unwell. With a love for cooking and a longing for a better diet, he experimented with other methods to get balanced meals.
“My first meals were pretty simple,” Royce expressed. “I would brown a chicken breast and cut it up to put on a salad.” With practice and creativity, he has learned how to take advantage of limited tools and space to make delicious food. “I can now pretty much cook anything that you could cook at home.”
To keep his dinners interesting, Royce tries to avoid repeating meals in his truck. “As a rule, I cook something different every day because I love to experiment, and I just love to cook.”
Royce enjoys cooking for many reasons, but he especially loves how it is a way to connect with people, especially on the road. “Everybody loves to eat,” says Royce. “Nothing puts a smile on someone’s face like a good meal.”
His favorite meal to make? Chicken and dumplings.
Cooking Advice from Royce
Royce has overcome some difficulties with cooking from the truck. Without access to a kitchen, he expressed that it is critical to create a cleaning plan and be conscious of the wattage that the cooking tools pull. Royce skillfully utilizes an instant pot, electric skillet, and air fryer to craft his meals.
“My granddaddy used to tell me to do everything like you do anything; if you’re going to do it, do your best.” Royce takes this advice with him when cooking.
Gradually, Royce has found success with his meals. His healthy cooking helps ensure that he is fueled for the ride, and he hopes to inspire others to follow suit. “The best advice I can give is to keep it simple.”
He recommends to:
- Plan ahead
- Be conscious of the space you have when grocery shopping
- Prepare as much as possible before cooking
- Surround the cooking area with towels to prevent spill
Royce’s Chicken & Dumplings
For drivers who are inspired by Royce’s cooking, try out this simple on-the-road recipe!
Ingredients:
- Chicken breast or thigh
- Cream of chicken soup
- Chicken broth
- Canned biscuits
Steps:
- Brown your chicken breast or thigh.
- Combine chicken, broth, and cream of chicken soup and bring to a boil.
- Cut canned biscuits into small pieces and add to soup.
- Cook the mixture for a few minutes until ready to serve.
