summer 24/25

BIDFOOD appetiser black 1

this edition

To be outstanding in the hospitality industry doesn’t require a special person – being outstanding makes you special.
 
This summer, we talk to industry masters about what hospitality means to them, from primary producers growing the finest ingredients to the chefs who bring these elements to life. And as we all put our heads down and work through the busiest time of year, we hope that these insights provide you with fresh ideas and a deeper appreciation for the amazing impact your work has in making others feel welcome.

featured

Fried egg and wagyu beef breakfast katsu
Inspiration & trends

Rethinking breakfast: beyond bacon and eggs

Discover the evolution of breakfast culture in Australia: a $10 billion culinary experience. From bacon and eggs to breakfast pizza and Japanese katsu, Australian breakfasts embrace global influences. While bacon and eggs will remain a staple, we explore exciting additions like Venezuelan arepas, Malaysian roti canai and Chinese jianbing pancakes. Join the breakfast revolution and savour tantalizing flavours and creative twists.

Read more
Picture of a woman serving crispy fried whiting
Inspiration & trends

What are you whiting for?

Looking for a sustainable and crowd-pleasing addition to your menu? Australian whiting is the answer. With its succulent texture, delicate flavor, and white flesh, it’s a true favorite. Whiting is abundant off our shores and is considered a better choice by seafood sustainability experts. Caught in a humane and controlled manner, the fish is quickly frozen to preserve its taste and texture. These fillets can be served in various ways, from classic fish and chips to spicy fish sandwiches or as a gourmet salad topping. Don’t wait any longer to discover the endless possibilities of Australian whiting.

Read more
Picture of glazed lamb ribs with spring slaw. pickled rhubarb and polenta chips.
Inspiration & trends

Lamb springs to the rescue

When selecting lamb cuts, many chefs stick with primary options like racks or cutlets. But secondary cuts, like lamb shoulder racks, can deliver great flavour at a fraction of the cost. One standout is the lamb shoulder rack – tender and full of flavour when slow-cooked. Lamb ribs, neck, and shoulder also offer incredible value and versatility, from BBQ finger food to stews and slow-cooked showstoppers. These cuts are budget-friendly and crowd-pleasing, perfect for showcasing the full potential of spring lamb in your menu while boosting your margins.

Read more
Image of classic Darwin iconography
Industry

Top end tucker: Darwin food life

Darwin’s food scene is vibrant and diverse, featuring bustling markets with global street foods and fresh local produce. The Mindil Beach Sunset Market offers unique dishes like kangaroo and crocodile, while suburban markets showcase international fare and tropical ingredients.

Read more
woman in crazy shirt serving crispy fried vadouvan whiting
Recipes

Crispy vadouvan spiced whiting

Fish and chips are a beloved classic, deeply tied to our culinary history and British heritage. But did you know this dish has roots in Spanish, Portuguese, Belgian, and French cuisines? While traditional fish and chips are perfection, sometimes a twist on a classic works wonders. Enter fish and chips with a touch of Indian spice – a nod to culinary fusion.

This recipe combines crispy Southern Blue Whiting fillets in a Vadouvan-spiced batter, served with super shoestring fries, chaat masala aioli, and gunpowder cucumbers, blending rich flavours from across the globe.

Read more
son-in-law eggs
Recipes

Son-in-law eggs – a tasty twist for your breakfast menu

Get ready to taste the most amazing breakfast ever! Son-in-law eggs, or kai look keuy in Thai, are simply the best eggs you’ll ever try. Imagine crispy yet velvety eggs that taste sweet, salty, and slightly sour. But there’s a twist! These eggs have a hidden meaning. When served by your mother-in-law, they tell a story about how you treat her daughter. Come join us on a journey to uncover the secrets of this delicious Thai dish. We’ll serve it with a mouthwatering spiced tamarind caramel and a fragrant herb salad. Get ready to be blown away!

Read more
Sticky braised lamb ribs with pickled rhubarb, spring slaw and polenta chips.
Recipes

Black pepper, balsamic and pomegranate glazed lamb ribs

If you’re in the lean-only meat camp, walk on by. For everyone else lamb ribs might just be the best ribs you’ve ever tried. When beautifully cooked, they’re insanely moreish – slightly crispy, perfectly rendered, glazed to unctuously sticky and melt-in-the-mouth, singularly redefining ‘finger-licking good’.

When served with a piquant pickled rhubarb, a herbaceous spring slaw and crunchy polenta chips, this dish will keep your customers coming back for more – while also making good margins.

Read more
Picture of small bowl of diced raw tuna, flavoured with Ethiopian spices
Recipes

Ethiopian tuna kitfo, saffron tuiles and niter kibbeh

Kitfo, a beloved Ethiopian dish, is typically made with beef, but this version swaps it for fresh, sashimi-grade tuna. Marinated in berbere spice and lime zest, the tuna offers a melt-in-the-mouth experience. Paired with saffron tuiles and warm niter kibbeh – a fragrant, spiced clarified butter – this dish is a stunning fusion of flavours. Garnish with micro herbs for a touch of freshness. With options to substitute tuna for scallops, salmon, or beef, this twist on kitfo embraces culinary creativity while honouring Ethiopian tradition.

Read more
aMag Sum24 COVER WEB

Menu inspiration delivered straight to your inbox