One positive during lockdown is the creative thinking of business owners as they pivot to adapt.
One such example is pasta home delivery business Knockin' Gnocchi and Hamilton bakery Cakeboi who have combined their talents to provide an at-home pasta and dessert experience.
"Business has been very busy since lockdown commenced again," Knockin' Gnocchi founder and chef Ashley Marcantelli said.
"We have been selling out days in advance which is great.
"Laura and I are still both working full-time and were supposed to be having our wedding next week though thanks to lockdown it won't be going ahead. So it's great that we are busy.
"We are very excited to do this collaboration with Reece [Hignell] - we just love his fresh vibe on the Newcastle hospo scene and his cakes are amazing."
On the Knockin' Gnocchi menu is beef ragu with smoked peppers and salsa verde; roasted pumpkin gnocchi with fresh oregano, walnut and burnt butter; vegan lentil bolognese; cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) gnocchi; and forest mushroom gnocchi.
Hignell's dessert offering this week is Italian favourite tiramisu.
"Personally, I have been ordering from Ash and Laura for about six months now. I'm one of their annoying fan boys," Hignell said, laughing.
"We decided to collaborate as I can see the potential in their business, plus the idea of having Cakeboi dessert delivered to your house is so cool."
Check out Knockin' Gnocchi's weekly menu on Instagram or Facebook and direct message them to order, or phone 0428 858 780.
Nigella loves Niland
Former Maitland chef Josh Niland's book Take One Fish got a shout-out from Nigella Lawson on Instagram this week as her cookbook of the week. Se also shared his recipe for swordfish schnitzel and egg salad.
In the comments Lawson mentioned that she and her fishmonger, Rex Goldsmith, owned both of Niland's books "and talk about what Josh is doing a lot". Goldsmith added: "@mrniland is so inspiring! Can't put the new book down."
High praise indeed.
Boydell's delivering to Newcastle
Boydell's restaurant and cellar door at Morpeth is now delivering heat-at-home meals to Newcastle residents.
What's on the menu? Think pork belly with miso, pickled mushroom, puffed rice and togarashi; citrus and pernod cured salmon with fennel, pickled baby beets and Yarra pearls; shiraz-braised beef cheek with smoked potato purée and lardons; confit duck Maryland with potato galette, chestnut, prune and black pudding; and dark chocolate and caramel bombe with honeycomb and ganache; passionfruit crème caramel and fresh raspberries. Yum.
Order two courses ($60) and three courses ($75) and you'll also receive sourdough and house-made butter and two complimentary sides. You can also order a Boydell's wine to complement your meal. Order by noon on Saturday or Sunday for same day delivery to Newcastle. Daily orders for pick up from Boydell's restaurant and cellar door must be in before 4pm daily for pick up between 5pm and 7pm. Contactless deliveries are also being made daily to Maitland and Raymond Terrace areas. Phone 4933 5862.
A return to fine dining at home
Yes, lockdown is a drag but let's keep looking for the positives. Mason at Home is one of them.
Newcastle's Restaurant Mason has revived the take-home meal service it debuted last year when COVID first hit.
"It's bloody painful, this lockdown," owner and chef Chris Thornton said.
"It's probably a bit worse this time as it's already been quiet for the last few weeks with the Sydney situation, and we didn't have to home school last year.
"Hopefully as the town settles in to lockdown it will get busier and more consistent throughout the week.
"The support during the first lockdown was incredible, so fingers crossed."
Order online at restaurantmason.com (two courses $65; three courses $75) Wednesday to Saturday, 5.30pm to 9pm.
Local artisan collaboration
Bread and Brewery at Morisset are delivering beers during lockdown (free delivery on beer orders over $100) and have teamed up with local businesses to offer the following: Lockdown Survival Pack (with Hampers of the Hunter): artisan foods with a growler or two squealers of beer, $100 or $110; Loafin' AroundPack (with Living Loaf bakery): Hooroo bread, brie cheese, spread and a squealer of HooRoo for $65 (available Friday and Saturday); Sunday FundayPack (with Risky Brisket's BBQ): two smoked brisket pies, a bottle of hot sauce and a squealer of HooRoo for $55.
"At the moment we're trying to deliver to Newcastle and Maitland areas on Fridays, the Central Coast on Saturdays, as well as our local area Wednesdays to Sundays," Bread and Brewery co-founder Jay Beckham said.
Go online to breadandbrewery.com.au or phone 0490 353 584 to order.
Short and sweet
Reader's Cafe and Larder at East Maitland has remained open to give local farmers a place from which to sell their produce (and to allow community cooking to continue). Open 9am to noon, closed Sundays.
The Little French Cafe at Broadmeadow is open for takeaway orders and kerbside pick-up, and has also introduced Lockdown Lunch Packs for the kids (ham or cheese sandwich, carrot sticks, strawberries, cheese and crackers, orange juice and a mini Nutella cruffin; $12.50). Phone 0455 196 070 to order.
Maddz on York at Teralba has re-introduced its Maddz Kids Picnic Lunch Box ($14.50).
Fernleigh Cafe at Adamstown is offering a simple takeaway menu plus "locally sourced" groceries such as Hunter Belle milk and Lake Macquarie free range eggs. Phone 4023 4749 and staff will let you know what time to collect.
Papa's Bagel Bar, Hippo Espresso, The Letter Q, Murray's Brewing Co, Sweet Delight Picnics and Door 34 are among the many venues now offering breakfast, brunch, lunch, or special occasion take-home food boxes. Some are offering delivery, too.
