This is a story about Petra Techanova Parnell, who turned her passion for authentic German food into a unique food truck called Euro Bites, where she specializes in making authentic European foods. Her inspiration came from her European experiences and years spent making food.
Parnell, a native of the Czech Republic, has traveled and lived extensively throughout Europe. She moved to Germany for a while where she cooked for and took care of two children in Hamburg. “I started cooking because that was the only option,” she said, reflecting on the time there. However, in her free time, she went to festivals where there were lots of food trucks and the environment was very welcoming with all kinds of great food. She then travelled all around Europe, living long-term in Ireland and Spain. During this time, she met many people and was exposed to cuisine from around the world.
Petra moved to the US and soon after settled in Gettysburg. She would often travel with her son and husband going to various restaurants, but was not impressed with what she ate. “I started overcooking because I preferred homemade food,” she said.
A Facebook friend from Vienna who was an inspirational source to her one day asked, “Why don’t you make sausages, everybody loves sausages”. Thus, the first ideas for her food truck were born and even it reminded her of the sausages she used to get in the Czech Republic when she was a child.
The Backstory
Petra knew her journey to the creation of Euro Bites would not be easy. After deciding on authentic German sausages, it was time to find the perfect ingredients. She already knew where she could get her staple meat items, an authentic German butcher’s shop in Maryland called Binkert’s German Sausage and Lunchmeats. This butcher was picked by Petra because “when I looked behind the glass, the sausage reminded me of my childhood.”
Once she had the exact sausage, she wanted she thought “Hey what about a food truck so that we can reach out to other people and go to festivals.”
Then she found other supplies for the bread and for her other items to make frankfurter, currywurst, schnitzel, red cabbage, and sauerkraut at local markets serving fresh produce. Petra is dedicated to finding the best quality food she could find. She says “I sacrifice a lot of time to get quality ingredients. Three-hour trip for meat, two-hour trip for bread.” She does this because she says “In my best conscience, I want to keep it as authentic as possible.”
During the time Petra was sourcing and gathering all her ingredients, she was purchasing and setting up the food truck. With the help of her husband, Brian, she was able to buy a food truck in Maryland and get it ready for use. Then once all components had come together, it was time to start the business. She says “The food truck was sitting in front of the house and I had to make it work.”
Bringing Euro Bites to Gettysburg
For Petra, the work has been extremely rewarding but has had its fair share of challenges. “This is the hardest work I’ve ever done in my life,” she said. However, meeting people and networking has been rewarding. Parking and establishing places people know to find her truck have been the greatest hurdle to overcome. However she has the help of her husband and a friend, James Roger, owner of an antique store called Time Well Spent, where he specializes in the repair of antique clocks and other mechanical machines.
Petra also enjoys preparing food where people can see the process. “People can see how everything is made. Her’s is a smaller, intimate truck with a big window where everyone can see her food preparation. She says “I like the presentation, this is my representative. You eat with your eyes first.”
Every dish is made with care to ensure customers get a good meal. “I cannot make it simple; it’s like an art. It comes all together and is an experience where you need to feed people well to make them happy.”
The Future of Euro Bites
While the food truck focuses on traditional German foods, Petra has plans to expand. “The goal would be to travel and serve in different places, expand the menu,” she said. She hopes to add other foods to the menu like pierogies, goulash, and hashbrowns. Furthermore, she is not only interested in serving food but also what in teaching as well. “I’m open to teaching cooking classes. Eating well is for your health and well-being.”
Petra is passionate about improving people’s lives, not just through good food but by helping them create more balanced meals. She says, “My heart is in good quality food so I can sleep at night knowing people ate well.”
Glancing at the future, she’s excited to continue making food and promoting healthy homes and lifestyles. She hopes this article will inspire people to do more for their well-being and make healthier choices.
You can find Petra at KOA Gettysburg, the artillery camp group, Farmer’s market Saturdays in October, and the Eisenhower Farm October 20th-22nd. She also is parked on Baltimore street near Mr. G’s and other spots. For more details check out her Facebook @Euro Bites and Instagram eurobites2024.
Elizabeth Li, intern, is a senior at Gettysburg College and an Environmental Studies and Classics major. She is from East Lyme Connecticut. Outside of class, Elizabeth is a member of the DEIJB Environmental Studies Board and a member of the Sunderman Conservatory Orchestra.