A French-American couple who lost their tech jobs in the capital, in part due to the growth of AI, have set up an exciting “real” hands-on foodie venture.
Franck and Linda Unternahrer, both in their 50s, had dedicated years of their life working in London before being told their services were surplus to requirements.
They had specialised in content strategy, helping organisations make websites and apps more intuitive and user-friendly.
But in 2023, just two weeks apart, they were both made redundant.
For Linda it wasn’t just about losing work it was also about rethinking the purpose of life after growing disillusioned with life in London and tech.
“It felt like the past 10 years of my life didn’t matter,” she said.
“The work had started to feel empty, and with AI now doing the kind of things I used to be hired for, I didn’t see a future in it. I needed to do something real.”
After watching Chef, a film starring acclaimed Hollywood actor Jon Favreau about a celebrity chef who quits his job at a popular LA restaurant and begins his own food truck venture, they started planning something of their own.
That idea became Teeny from Texas – the world’s tiniest taco truck, and it’s new home is here in Kent.
The food venture is a miniature breakfast taco kitchen built inside a converted cargo bike, complete with a stove, fridge, sink and hotbox.
“Back home, everyone eats tacos – students, builders, anyone on the go,” explained Linda, who grew up in Texas.
“They’re fast, fresh and full of protein.”
The menu includes bacon, egg and cheese, potato and chorizo, refried bean and cheese, and migas — scrambled eggs with chillies, cheese and crispy corn chips.
Each taco is wrapped in foil and topped with one of Linda’s homemade salsas — either a smoky red tomato or a creamy jalapeño with caramelised onion and roasted garlic.
Linda and Franck, who is originally from France, met in the States.
After their three children grew up, they decided a change of scenery was needed.
Franck had always wanted to move closer to home whereas Linda wanted to stay in an English-speaking country, and so in 2013 they moved to London.
But the long months of Covid lockdown found them confined for months in a small flat and made them realise they needed more space.
And so in 2020, they relocated to Medway.
“We didn’t know anyone here, but we really fell in love with the place just after we made a few steps on Rochester High Street,” Linda said.
“We were ready for something calmer.”
Setting up a food business is entirely new to the pair of ex-city workers who’ve had to learn the ropes fast.
“Health inspections, licensing, marketing — it was all new,” she said. “But I’ve learned so much.”
And the bike has come with its own challenges.
As a second-hand cargo frame, it often needed repairs, and Franck stepped in and taught himself how to maintain it.
“He’s basically my emergency service call,” Linda added.
“If something breaks, he’s the one who gets me rolling again.”
The brightly coloured taco bike and trailer draws smiles from passers-by and has already gained loyal customers.
One American customer drives in from another town most mornings just to pick up a taco before work.
Another said it reminded them of being back home.
If something breaks, he’s the one who gets me rolling again
But for Linda and Franck, Teeny from Texas is more than a business, it’s a chance to rebuild life on their own terms and tap back into their interests.
“It’s like playing with my Easy Bake Oven again or Barbie kitchenette,” adds Linda.
“Except now I feed real people. And they come back.”
Customers can track the truck’s live location and see updates directly at Teeny from Texas website
Teeny Taco operates weekdays at Medway City Estate, typically from 7am until sold out.
