Meet the Founders
With backgrounds spanning culinary innovation, hospitality, and mission-driven leadership, Gail and Ron have spent decades helping people discover just how satisfying plant-based food can be.
Garden Truck Foods is the next chapter in that journey.
Gail Patak
Co-Founder | Chef & Food Innovator
Gail Patak is a pioneering plant-based chef, entrepreneur, and culinary innovator with decades of experience developing foods and experiences that make vegan eating both approachable and unforgettable.
Gail began as a corporate restaurant trainer, learning staff development and operations. She graduated from Culinard in Pastry and Culinary Arts, gaining strong cooking skills. She later moved into event planning, creating memorable dining events. With over 25 years in hospitality, Gail has opened restaurants, designed kitchens, made menus, and built teams. She knows concept creation, permits, training, and running profitable businesses.
A passionate plant-based food supporter, Gail mixes cooking skills with bold, eco-friendly ideas that care for the planet. She co-founded Garden Truck Foods, guiding over twelve years of eco-conscious, top-rated plant-based dining focusing on sustainability—from local sourcing to waste cutting. Her recent success, The Kitchen at Farm Sanctuary, is known for its mission and commitment to conservation and responsible eating. Gail has been developing Culinary Internships to educate our future leaders in the food industry on the importance of creating the plant-forward philosophy for a more sustainable and compassionate food system.
Based in Jacksonville, FL, Gail works to bring food ideas to life with tasty, sustainable meals that encourage healthier, greener communities. When not working, she enjoys time with her husband Ron, daughter Kayla, and their rescue pets, living her values every day.
Ron Patak
Co-Founder | Culinary Development Strategist
With a deep passion for hospitality and relentless innovation, Ron has successfully launched numerous thriving restaurant concepts, meticulously crafted beloved and memorable menus, and built high-performing, dedicated teams. Spanning from casual neighborhood cafes to bustling high-volume franchises, his primary focus remains on seamless operations, driving significant sales growth, and creating unforgettable guest experiences that keep customers coming back.
A standout moment in his career was partnering with renowned Chef Roy Yamaguchi to strategically expand the Roy’s franchise into Bonita Springs, Florida, and Chicago, expertly blending cutting-edge culinary creativity with sharp business acumen. Beyond that, he played a pivotal role in shaping the culinary curriculum at Culinard, overseeing kitchen design, spearheading faculty recruitment, and pioneering system development to elevate education standards.
Ron also significantly enhanced operational efficiencies and refined recipes for the multi-unit group RREMC, LLC. As co-founder of Garden Truck Foods, he passionately champions innovative, plant-based comfort food in Jacksonville, where he lives happily with his wife, Gail, embracing the sun, sea, and vibrant local lifestyle.