Hungry for That by Raph Rashid.  Book photography by Lauren Bamford.  Our Photo - Eve Wilson.

Hungry for That by Raph Rashid (that's Rapgh on the right!) Book photography by Lauren Bamford.  Our Photo - Eve Wilson.

Hungry for That by Raph Rashid.  Book photography by Lauren Bamford.  Our Photo - Eve Wilson.

Hungry for That by Raph Rashid.  Book illustrations by Tin & Ed. Our Photo - Eve Wilson.

Hungry for That by Raph Rashid.  Book photography by Lauren Bamford.  Our Photo - Eve Wilson.

Let's face it, Melbourne is pretty much 99% about FOOD (and coffee), and within the local foodie community, there are a few undisputed legends.  Raph Rashid is one of them - albeit a very low key one. In his own words, Raph ‘makes burgers, tacos and donuts for a living’.  Better known as the founder of the Beatbox Kitchen burger trucks, Taco Truck, and more recently All Day Donuts, Raph really kickstarted Melbourne’s food truck scene.  He has inspired an onslaught of other mobile food offerings across Melbourne, not to mention the rest of Australia.  Raph’s contribution to the local food industry has also been recognised by the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, who inducted him into their ‘Legends’ Hall of Fame earlier this year, alongside, you know, Matt Preston, Andrew O'Connell and Ben Shewry! Serious stuff.

SO, it really should service as no surprise to ANYONE that Raph has finally authored a cook book. Entitled 'Hungry for That' and published by Hardie Grant, the book covers off Raph's best known areas of culinary expertise - fresh Mexican flavours, American style burgers, and a nod to his most recent passion - home made doughnuts! 'If I had to describe it in one sentence I would say that its like taking a plane from Queen Vic fresh food market, flying over Baja peninsula with a stop in LA then onto NYC,' says Raph.

Raph is insanely modest about the success of his food truck empire and the release of his first book about food. 'Hungry for That is basically just a bit of fun, it's a combination of things I cook for my friends and family, which in turn are things we cook in the trucks' he explains. Having spend around a year planning, writing and shooting the book, Raph also enlisted a bunch of local friends and creative collaborators to assist in making it as unique and awesome as possible.

'I really wanted to make a book that reflects my world, and living in Melbourne' Raph explains. To this end, local photographer Lauren Bamford was enlisted not just to shoot the book, but also to provide a number of beautiful handmade ceramics for use as props.  Local design duo Tin and Ed painted an array of tableware for the shoots, also contributing brilliant illustrations for the page layouts. Talented local food stylist Deb Kaloper came on board to bring the food to life, and the booked was finally expertly laid out by designer Aileen Lord.

Hungry for That is hardback, 215 pages and priced at AU$39.95.  It's officially launching this THURSDAY August 28th, is available online here, and will be in all good book shops from Sept 1st! Get onto it, food lovers, book lovers, Raph lovers. You won't be disappointed!

Hungry for That by Raph Rashid.  Book photography by Lauren Bamford.  Our Photo - Eve Wilson.

Hungry for That by Raph Rashid.  Book illustrations by Tin & Ed.  Our Photo - Eve Wilson.

Hungry for That by Raph Rashid.  Book photography by Lauren Bamford.  Our Photo - Eve Wilson.