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ABOUT US
BEHIND IT ALL
IS MIKE
MOLONEY
Chef, fire enthusiast and the man behind Hannibal I and II. After more than eight years catering across Hawke’s Bay, his approach to food is still pretty simple: cook it well, be generous with it, and make sure people have a good time.
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His path to getting here has been anything but conventional. From food trucks and festivals to weddings, community events and plenty of lessons along the way, this is a little of the story behind Mike and Silence of the Lambs.
The Buffalo Bill Days
Who doesn’t want to own a food truck? After watching the movie Chef,
I was hooked.
Then Covid came along and we built Buffalo Bill for triple the budget we had imagined, followed by what felt like infinite years trying to regain mental composure.
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It was fun while it lasted, and we did some pretty cool food, but realistically, my mental health was shot from the pressure of the build and everything that came with it. Eventually, I despised the sight of the poor truck.
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Buffalo Bill now happily lives with a lovely lady in Wairoa.
The Journey Thus Far
I have always loved cooking over fire. Simple as that, really.
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This has led us to producing some of the best live-fire spit-roasted meats and gourmet BBQ treats around, and I wouldn’t say that lightly.
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We’ve served Hawke’s Bay for the past eight years through private dining, wine festivals, F.A.W.C! events, weddings and community festivals.
We’ve even cooked at the prison... but that’s a story for another day.
Hannibal I & II
To date, Hannibal I and II, our custom-built spits, have fed more than 15,000 people, and they’re still going strong.
LET'S TALK
MENTAL HEALTH
Life’s hard. Over the years, I’ve suffered horribly from anxiety and depression. I’m fortunate to have a loving and understanding wife, great supportive friends, and the cutest fur children in the world.
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As a form of personal therapy, we help as much as we can with our friends at Gumboot Friday and I Am Hope, including assisting with the hosting of an annual event and golf day. Together, these have now raised more than $500,000 over the years.
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This also grew from the days following Cyclone Gabrielle, when we fed as many people as we could as our way of helping provide some community relief.
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As cliché as it sounds, I know firsthand how important it is to talk. So, if you’re reading this and things are feeling a bit shit, or you just need an ear, give me a call 021 613 413 or mike@buffalobillnz.com.
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I’m always happy to listen.
Mike
