You've got to hand it to the hospitality industry. They know how to adapt during a crisis - or, as it is commonly referred to in these COVID times, pivot.
Take Maddz on York, a cafe at Teralba. Owner and pastry chef Maddy Baldwin has introduced a picnic lunch box just in time for the school holidays.
"I came up with this idea when I saw all the restrictions start coming into place," she said.
"I thought a picnic box to take to the park or foreshore would be a perfect idea for all the kids stuck at home these school holidays."
It's $14.50 and includes a sandwich, fruit, blondie bite, mini muffin, fairy bread, and either a kids' milkshake, hot chocolate or juice.
Many restaurants and cafes are putting a renewed emphasis on takeaways as uncertainty linked to the Sydney outbreak continues. Check their socials or give them a quick call to see what they're offering.
Some are also delivering, like Choux Patisserie (two home delivery packs to choose from with optional extras).
Some have closed until at least July 9.
Show your support if you can (and don't forget your mask).
Paying it forward
After its major fundraising luncheon was cancelled less than two days out, Hunter Culinary Association has made sure hundreds of dishes that had already been prepared will not go to waste.
Seven crates of prepped food and produce that was to be served at the Food Fight at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley have been donated to Newcastle's Soul Cafe.
The 350-person luncheon was set down for Monday but organisers decided to cancel on Saturday as restrictions started to tighten for regional NSW. The event had already lost two chefs and a host last week - all locked down in Sydney - and the uncertainty of how far the virus had spread around the state was pivotal to the decision.
"Crowne Plaza offered us a viable option, but we made the conscious decision to cancel for the health and safety of our competitors and supporters," Hunter Culinary Association committee member Garreth Robbs said.
As many of the dishes for the four-course luncheon had already been prepped, the committee decided to donate the food to Soul Cafe, which provides hundreds of free hot meals a week to disadvantaged people in the Newcastle region.
"We are fans of what they do, and we'd rather see the product go to them to help people who have fallen on hard times," Robbs said.
"As the event itself is a fundraiser, the produce was donated by platinum partners Andrews Meats, In2Food, Shane's Seafood, Eustralis and The Providores. So the association has made this donation to Soul Cafe on their behalf."
It was the second year in a row the Food Fight has been cancelled due to COVID restrictions.
The event raises money for a range of apprentice support and mentoring opportunities, including the Brett Graham Scholarship, which is a long-term partnership between the Hunter Culinary Association and TAFE NSW.
An auction that was set to be held at the Food Fight will now be run online. Check hunterculinary.com.au for more details.
HCA chair Gus Maher said the decision to cancel Food Fight was a "really tough one" to make.
"After three months of intense work constructing the Food Fight, we are devastated that we have had to cancel the event only 36 hours out. If what happened was three to four days earlier, we could probably have rescheduled, but the food was all prepped," he explained.
"The COVID situation has proved so fluid that we could try again for six to eight weeks, but all could turn bad (or worse) again.
"If there is a 'glass half full' silver lining, it is that the food that our partners so generously donate to us, has now gone to Soul Cafe to assist them in their wonderful efforts to feed our homeless and disadvantaged Novocastrians.
"We have some wonderful auction and raffle items that we will still use, however whether that is online or some other way, I don't want to make a decision on while we are still in damage control and working mainly on perishables."
Soup for the soul
Speaking of good will, Newy Burger Co are leading the way yet again. They have been busy making pumpkin soup for those in need (no questions asked), served with one of the buns leftover from the cancelled Five Senses market at Lambton on Sunday, and also plan to take any leftovers to Soul Cafe.
Festival postponed
The inaugural Hunter Events Bar & BBQ Festival 2021, scheduled to run this weekend at Dalwood Estate, will now take place on the weekend of October 2 and 3.
"This decision was made after consulting with the local government, partners and staff," organisers said in a statement.
"Rescheduling the event will enable us to provide the experience that our customers, partners and team expect and deserve, in a safe environment. All tickets for the July dates have been transferred to the rescheduled dates. Purchasers will be notified via Oztix on how to obtain a refund if they are unable to attend."
Sydney store revealed
Bao Brothers will be opening their first Sydney store in Chippendale, near the University of Technology.
Greek restaurant opening soon
Atmos is opening in August at Shoal Bay Country Club. The focus is on sharing authentic Greek food - and good conversation. One to watch out for.
