After 42 years in the culinary industry, 37 of those in Moore County, chef Curt Shelvey says he’s ready to take a break from daily restaurant operations and say ciao to his popular Italian food truck, Gravy Train. He announced the truck’s retirement in a Facebook post on Monday, July 14.
“I love culinary, I love this community, it’s been an amazing ride and I don’t know what the future holds,” he said over the phone, adding that he turns 63 next month. “I want to step back, smell the roses a little bit, spend some time with my wife and daughters and take it easy a little bit.”
Curt moved to Moore County in 1989 to work as a sous chef at Pinehurst Resort, later opening upscale Italian restaurant Curt’s Cucina in downtown Southern Pines. When COVID hit, he installed a to-go window and shifted to a takeout menu, focusing on the classic meatball grinder made with hearty tomato gravy. His grinders were an instant hit, prompting him to rebrand the restaurant as Grinders and Gravy and begin work on the Gravy Train, a truck to sell them exclusively.
Curt would later return the brick-and-mortar to its original concept, but when shortages in staff and supplies persisted, he sold the building to the Southern Pines Elks Club and focused on his food truck. It was one of the first trucks to become a staple at Red’s Corner. Curt later moved the truck to Ouida’s Food Truck Park in Carthage.
“Both are great, as with anything they both come with challenges — no one wants to come out in the pouring rain, or when it’s 110 degrees — but the thing I loved most about the truck was allowed me to personally see everyone who came to the window.”
Curt says he’s already being asked where he’s going next, but he’s not looking to reprise his role as a chef. He’s more interested in working with area restaurants as a consultant, helping them find success or grow their own businesses.
“I want to thank this community for their amazing support, and the love and graciousness they’ve shown my family,” he says. “As a whole, this community really comes together and supports each other.”
