With Assistance from HYHK, Paradis in the Park Partners with New York City Halal Food Truck

April 23rd, 2026

Left to right: Patricia Maltezos (HYHK Director of Planning and Development), Veronica Vasquez (Paradis in the Park), Mustafa Abda (NYCHFT), Dan Scorse (HYHK Vice President of Operations), Chanté Lee (HYHK Planning and Operations Associate).

The Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance (HYHK) is proud to announce a new partnership between Bella Abzug Park woman-owned concessionaire Paradis in the Park and immigrant-owned New York City Halal Food Truck (NYCHFT), a beloved long-standing street vendor in Hudson Yards. During the summer of 2025, when construction of the newest Hudson Yards office tower commenced, NYCHFT could no longer operate on the corner of Hudson Blvd East at W35th Street, a spot they had occupied for 8 years.  Even though HYHK and NYCHFT had no formal relationship, we had gotten along well over the years.  When Wael Hamza, the food truck owner, asked HYHK for help, we introduced him to Kim Paradis, the owner/operator of Bella Abzug Park concessionaire Paradis in the Park. 

After one taste of Wael’s falafel, Kim was sold.  HYHK worked with the Department of Parks and Recreation to create a legal framework that allowed Paradis and Wael to partner under Paradis’ Sublicense agreement with HYHK, the official Maintenance and Operations partner of Bella Abzug Park.  The result is a win-win-win:  NYCHFT gets a prime location within 100 feet of their previous spot, Paradis expands the park concessions footprint without any capital spending, and the park gets additional revenue for operations expenses.

“When we learned that the New York City Halal Food Truck had lost its spot, we wanted to find a way to help,” said Kim Paradis.  “They’re known for serving genuinely delicious food, and just as importantly, they’re run by good, hardworking people who care about what they do. This partnership is about making sure they have a place to continue operating and staying connected to the community they’ve built over time. We’re glad to be able to support them in a meaningful way.”

“We have been in business for over 15 years in one of the greatest cities in the world, New York City,” said Wael Hamza.  “Moving to one of the most unique parts of the City, Hudson Yards, we are so excited to work with amazing partners like Paradis in the Park and HYHK to serve our great community.”

“The Bella Abzug Park concessionaire concept has always been more about programming than revenue,” said Dan Scorse, Vice President of Operations for HYHK.  “We want an operator that offers good food from attractive carts.  The units have a similar look and feel that elevate the park’s beautiful aesthetics.” 

“HYHK even provided an electrical power hookup so the truck will no longer have to run a gas-powered generator,” added Dan Scorse.  “Furthermore, this project follows citywide efforts to expand vending opportunities.  It’s not just about licenses; it’s about real estate.”

“This partnership is a great example of how public-private partnerships can support small businesses and strengthen our neighborhoods,” said NYC Parks Interim Manhattan Borough Commissioner Ralph Musolino. “It ensures a beloved local vendor can continue serving the Hudson Yards community and helps keep our neighborhoods vibrant and welcoming.”

HYHK would like to thank the Department of Parks and Recreation, in particular the Concessions group, the Legal Department, and the Manhattan Borough Commissioner’s Office.