Catering Melbourne Blog

Leading Australian retail food brand manager and franchisor Retail Food Group Limited (RFG) today announced a 134% increase in net profit in spite of the recent economic turbulence which has hit consumer confidence.

The owner of the Donut King, Brumby’s Bakeries, Michel’s Patisserie and bb’s café franchises saw growth stimulated by their purchases of Brumby’s and Michel’s and a record number of new store commissionings (61).

There is now a total of 1,052 franchised outlets under RFG’s four franchise systems comprising:
• 307 Donut King outlets (a net increase of 18 outlets on previous year)
• 329 Brumby’s Bakeries outlets (a net increase of 8 outlets on previous year)
• 348 Michel’s Patisserie outlets, (a net increase of 6 outlets on previous year), and
• 68 bb’s café outlets (a net decrease of 3 outlets on the previous year).

RFG Chairman John Cowley said the Company had exceeded management’s expectations during the past 12 months. “The Company has now fulfilled all aspects of the strategic growth plan outlined in RFG’s May 2006 Prospectus, delivering upon its commitment to shareholders and transforming itself into a genuine market leader within the retail food franchising industry,” he said. “Not only has the Company added two successful and highly recognized franchise systems to its portfolio in Brumby’s Bakeries and Michel’s Patisserie, it has continued to achieve consistent and sustainable growth in new outlet openings, outlet average weekly sales and outlet average transaction values.”

The financial year also saw an increased roll-out of product to Donut King outlets from the Central Manufacturing Facility and the entry into a Master License Agreement to enable the Donut King brand to enter the Chinese marketplace.

RFG CEO Tony Alford acknowledged that current economic conditions were not ideal but believes the company will be able to cope in spite of falling consumer confidence and spending. “Whilst no business is immune from present market conditions, RFG’s systems have historically traded well during retail and economic adversity. Our franchise systems are well positioned in terms of product and service delivery to absorb the many current external market pressures,” Mr Alford suggested.

A further 50 outlets across the RFG franchise systems are expected in the coming year.

Jacques Reymond was announced as the Lavazza Restaurant of the Year and Delaware North - Melbourne Zoo took out the Caterer of the Year at the 2008 Restaurant & Catering Victoria Awards for Excellence on Tuesday the 5th of August held at Peninsula, Atlantic South Wharf, Docklands.

Over 475 attendees were first treated to a unique performance by La Prima before MC Helen Razer kicked of the formalities. In her unique way she entertained the many restaurateurs and catering professionals while announcing this year’s Award Recipients.

A posthumous award went to Donleavy Fitzpatrick as the sixth Victorian Restaurant & Catering Australia Lifetime Achiever. His contribution to industry particularly his influence in changing the liquor licensing laws in the late 80’s and early 90’s had to be acknowledged. It is largely due to Don’s effort’s to push boundaries and force change, Victorians are able to sit on the street and enjoy a glass of wine/coffee and have the choice to eat or not. Don lost his battle with Brain Cancer in February 2008, so accepting on his behalf was family friend, Janet Galpin.
Melbourne Food & Wine Events Professional Development Award

Crown Limited Melbourne

Restaurant & Catering Australia Fine Wine Partners and Henschke Life Time Achievement Award

Awarded posthumously to Donleavy Fitzpatrick

Asian Restaurant

Winner: Koko - Melbourne

Finalist: Ocha Restaurant - Kew

Finalist: Red Spice Road - Melbourne

Finalist: Hanabishi - Melbourne

HostPlus Breakfast Restaurant

Winner: Richmond Hill Café e Larder - Richmond

Finalist: Ferguson Street Provisions - Williamstown

Finalist: Replete Providore - Hawthorn

Finalist: Provisions Food Store - Camberwell

Riviana Foods Café Restaurant

Winner: Café Vue - Melbourne

Finalist: Truly Scrumptious - Mentone

Finalist: Ludo Café - Melbourne

Finalist: Café Stradina - Glenroy

Café Restaurant - Regional

Winner: The Red Hill Brewery - Red Hill

Finalist: Ambrosia Café - Bar - Foodstore - Berwick

Finalist: Merricks General Store - Merricks

Finalist: Post Office Café - Office 3564 - Echuca

OAMPS Chinese Restaurant

Winner: Silks - Melbourne

Finalist: Flower Drum - Melbourne

Finalist: Chine on Paramount - Melbourne

Finalist: Yum Cha Dragon Chinese BBQ & Restaurant - Docklands

Coffee Shop

Winner: Convent Bakery - Abbotsford

Finalist: Book Talk - Richmond

Finalist: Coffee Club Knox Ozone - Knox City

Finlease European Restaurant

Winner: Bistro Vue - Melbourne

Finalist: MoVida - Melbourne

Finalist: Peridot Lake Estate Restaurant - Main Ridge

Finalist: the brasserie by Philippe Mouchel - Melbourne

Family Establishment

Winner: Maribyrnong Boathouse - Moonee Ponds

Finalist: Nosh @ Newport - Newport

Finalist: Sage at Parkhill - Berwick

Finalist: The Cosy Kangaroo - Bright

red + white Fine Dining Restaurant

Winner: Jacques Reymond - Windsor

Finalist: Circa, the Prince - St Kilda

Finalist: La Petanque - Main Ridge

Finalist: Vue de monde - Melbourne

Indian Restaurant

Winner: Bukhara - Warragul

Finalist: Cafe Saffron Indian Restaurant - Ivanhoe

Finalist: Bhoj Indian Restaurant - Docklands

Finalist: Gharana Indian & Pakistani Restaurant - Albert Park

Informal Dining Restaurant

Winner: Oyster Little Bourke - Melbourne

Finalist: Amello - St Kilda

Finalist: La Luna - Carlton North

Finalist: Punch Lane - Melbourne

Hospitality Training Australia Informal Dining Restaurant - Regional

Winner: Bamboo - Rye

Finalist: Gigi’s of Beechworth

Finalist: The Rocks - Mornington

Finalist: The Boyz for Brekkie - Mornington

Barilla Italian Restaurant

Winner: Tutto Bene - Southbank

Finalist: Agro Dolce - Forest Hill

Finalist: Centonove - Kew

Finalist: Gran Sasso Ristorante Italiano - Edithvale

American Express Modern Australian Restaurant

Winner: ezard - Melbourne

Finalist: Mercer’s Restaurant - Eltham

Finalist: Interlude - Fitzroy

Finalist: Wine House - Southbank

HostPlus Modern Australian - Regional

Winner: Oscar W’s Wharfside, RedGum Grill & DeckBar - Echuca

Finalist: The Long Table - Mornington

Finalist: Pettavel Winery & Restaurant - Waurn Ponds

Finalist: Astra Lodge - Falls Creek

Fine Food Australia New Restaurant

Winner: Maha Bar and Grill - Melbourne

Finalist: The French Corner Restaurant - Highett

Finalist: The Vines of Red Hill - Red Hill

Finalist: Nobu - Melbourne

Fonterra Pizza Restaurant

Winner: Ladro - Fitzroy

Finalist: Pizza Verde - Kyneton

Finalist: Bluestone Lounge Bar - Melbourne

PPCA Pub / Club / Tavern Restaurant

Winner: The Grand Hotel - Richmond

Finalist: Lamaro’s - South Melbourne

Finalist: Overflow Café & Wine Bar - Mount Waverley

Finalist: Vine Hotel - Collingwood

Westpac Restaurant in a Winery

Winner: Salix - Merricks North

Finalist: Montalto Vineyard & Olive Grove - Red Hill South

Finalist: Ten Minutes by Tractor - Main Ridge

Finalist: Max’s at Red Hill - Red Hill

Seafood Restaurant

Winner: Esposito at Toofey’s - Carlton

Finalist: Fisherman’s Pier - Geelong

Finalist: Live Bait - Docklands

Finalist: Fish Seafood Grill and Rotisserie - Waterfront City

Specialty Cuisine Restaurant

Winner: Verge - Melbourne

Finalist: S.Komatsu - Melbourne

Finalist: Nudel Bar - Melbourne

Finalist: Bluefire Churrascaria Grill & Bar - Docklands

Meat & Livestock Australia Steak Restaurant

Winner: The Point - Albert Park

Finalist: Steakhouse New Quay - Docklands

Finalist: Mediterraneo Charcoal Grill - Albert Park

Finalist: Parkers Steakhouse - Geelong

Thai Restaurant

Winner: Paladarr Thai Issan - Alphington

Finalist: Isthmus of Kra, Nonya Thai - South Melbourne

Finalist: Little Thai Princess - Glen Iris

Chef’s on the Run/CMD Tourism Restaurant

Winner: Lake House - Daylesford

Finalist: Chris’ at Beacons Point - Apollo Bay

Finalist: Gingerboy - Melbourne

Finalist: Stefano’s - Melbourne

VIP Personnel Corporate Caterer

Winner: Spotless at Delioitte- Melbourne

Finalist: Crave Catering - South Yarra

Finalist: Elizabeth Andrews Corporate Catering - Melbourne

Finalist: River house Catering - St Kilda South

Finalist: Zouki - Clayton

APRA Function Centre Caterer

Winner: Atlantic Group - Docklands

Finalist: Tasteful Occasions at Amstel - Cranbourne

Finalist: Sixteen Ellis Street - South Yarra

Finalist: Epicure Catering - Zinc at Federation Square - Melbourne

Finalist: Red Scooter - St Kilda East

Finalist: Crown Events - Million Dollar Lunch - Melbourne

Site / Industrial Caterer

Winner: Spotless - Geelong Grammar

Finalist: Contemporary Catering - Overton Lea Aged Care

Finalist: Zouki - Monash Medical Centre

Venue Caterer

Winner: Delaware North - Melbourne Zoo

Finalist: Delaware North - Melbourne & Olympic Parks

Finalist: Delaware North - Telstra Dome

Finalist: Epicure Catering - MCG

Modern Wedding Magazine Wedding Caterer

Winner: Delaware North - The Terrace

Finalist: Ed Dixon Food Design - Abbotsford

Finalist: Nathania Springs - Monbulk

Finalist: Contessa Receptions - Mount Waverley

Finalist: Ascot House - Ascot Vale

Hall of Fame Recipients

Silks - Melbourne - Chinese Restaurant

Tutto Bene - Southbank - Italian Restaurant

Ladro - Fitzroy - Pizza Restaurant

Paladdar Thai Issan - Thai Restaurant

Crown Limited Melbourne - Professional Development

The American operator of a Brisbane Pizza Hut restaurant was last week fined $35,000 after a cooked cockroach was found in a barbecue meatlovers takeaway pizza. The Brisbane Magistrates Court was told a Brisbane City Council inspection of the Pizza Hut at Bellbowrie had found “a serious and extensive” cockroach infestation”. The raid on the restaurant in city’s outer west in August by the council’s environmental health officers found food ingredients stored in open containers in the preparation area below fittings that were cockroach-infested, a bag of flour that was not kept in a vermin-proof container, dirt, dust, food and cockroach waste had accumulated on the floor, walls were soiled with grease and cockroach faeces, dead cockroaches and cockroach waste was dried into a hinge of a refrigerator, and live cockroaches on a refrigerator seal and hinge. Subsequent tests on the offending pizza found the cockroach, known as the blatella germanica nymph, was alive when it was cooked. The council suspended the licence of the restaurant operated by Yum! Restaurants. The Sunday Mail (Brisbane), July 6.

Renowned for their string of successful restaurants and award wining wines, Fiona and Kate Lamont are adding another string to their bow. The sisters’ latest offering, Lamonts Wine Store Cottesloe, is a European inspired tapas and wine bar combined with a wine store. In one of the more salubrious western suburbs, delicious food and wine is served at the wine store from 11am to midnight. “Im really excited about this. The market wants this type of thing,” Kate says. The wine store stocks a comprehensive selection of premium drops from around Australia and the world. Patrons are able to purchase all wines on the wine list for their personal cellars. Each week Lamonts Cottesloe wine selector John Jens will be serving up a selection of the most interesting wines. The “grazing style” menu offers a tantalising selection of small tastes, including lobster and fennel terrine, wagyu beef and mushroom pie, and confit duck salad. Licensing laws allow you to enjoy a drop without purchasing food. Prestige Property. July 6.

Weeks after announcing write-downs of up to $700m on the value of its global wine business, Foster’s is resuscitating a forgotten Tasmanian wine label as it seeks to rebuild momentum in the restaurant market. The launch of a new top-shelf brand is a rarity at Foster’s, which is seeking to consolidate its portfolio of more than 50 wine brands and comes as chairman David Crawford embarks on a review of the wine business, which could result in asset sales. Heemskerk, originally launched in 1975, enjoyed considerable success in the 1980s before being hived off into the Cellarmasters wine club business as an in-house brand available only to members. Foster’s sold the Cellarmasters business last year but retained the Heemskerk label, which group marketing manager for specialist brands Nicholas Crampton said would be restricted to restaurants and fine wine retailers. “It’s the same strategy used by most of the top boutiques … it’s one Foster’s hasn’t used as aggressively before,” he said. The ubiquity of Foster’s brands, including Penfolds, Lindemans, Wolf Blass and Rosemount, in retail outlets has been their downfall in on-premise sales, with few restaurant diners willing to shell out $50 or more for a bottle of wine they know they can buy for less than half that price at Dan Murphy’s. Foster’s also lost restaurant customers after the 2005 acquisition of Southcorp by attempting to sell both beer and wine through a single sales team, alienating high-end clients accustomed to more specialised service. Mr Crampton said 95 per cent of Heemskerk wines, which were priced at up to $60 a bottle, would be sold through restaurants. The Australian, July 7.

Pioneer chef dies

Joan Campbell, the influential chef and food editor, has died in a Sydney nursing home aged 96. As food editor of all three Australian Vogue titles, she more than anyone else defined the look of modern Australian food on the plate. Campbell was influential in putting Australian food on the world map. Working with Vogue’s photographers, she brought an entirely new sensibility to food photography. It revolutionised the way food was depicted: instead of contrived studio photography, her dishes emphasised fresh ingredients, minimally garnished, apparently shot in natural light. Through her work for Vogue Entertaining, Campbell drew international acknowledgment that what was happening in Australia was at the forefront of world food trends. It is all the more extraordinary that her career in food began when she was in her fifties. Moving to Sydney in the early 1960s, she took up cooking classes and began catering to the social set, including the Packer family. She came to the attention of Ita Buttrose, who recruited her as food editor of Cleo. Then followed a stint writing restaurant reviews for The Sunday Telegraph in 1978. The Australian, July 18.

The Victorian Government has recently introduced the Public Holidays Amendment Bill 2008. The main purpose of the bill is to amend the Public holidays Act 1993 to provide greater certainty as to public holiday arrangements in Victoria; to repeal provisions relating to the appointment of additional and substituted public holidays by non-metropolitan Councils; and to provide for a public holiday on Melbourne Cup Day or a substituted day to be observed in all parts of Victoria.

The change that will have the biggest impact on small business is the setting of Melbourne Cup Day as a standard public holiday in all parts of Victoria. Currently some regional areas are Public holiday free on Melbourne Cup Day, as Melbourne Cup Day has only been observed in Metropolitan Melbourne. This means that business located in regional areas that may have traded Melbourne Cup Day without the application of Public Holiday Entitlements will now be made to do so.

In non-metropolitan areas, where a substitute Public holiday was traditionally observed (e.g. Local Show/Race Day) following a declaration by the Local Council, the Local Council must now make an application to the Small Business Minister for that substitute day to be enforced.

Though these changes have been promoted by parliament as a means to “give Victorians certainty about public holidays and allow improved planning for Victorian businesses and employees” the reality for many small businesses is that it could lead to an increase in costs.

Restaurant & Catering Victoria has developed a pro-forma letter for members to use to encourage the council to request a substitute day should the bill pass through parliament unamended.

From 1 July each year workers’ compensation benefits are indexed and the new benefits are published in the Victorian Government Gazette. This year the changes include:
the employers’ medical cost excess has increased from $546 to $564
the maximum weekly compensation payment a worker can receive has increased from $1,210 to $1,260 gross per week
the maximum lump sum payment for impairment has increased to $396,690 and the lump sum for death to $265,590.
All indexed amounts can be viewed in Gazette No. G 26, dated Thursday 26 June 2008 at www.gazette.vic.gov.au

The value of a penalty unit has also been indexed. One penalty unit now has a value of $113.42. This means the maximum penalty against a corporation under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 is $1,020,780. The maximum penalty for an individual is now $204,156.

A new electronic calendar from the Tax Office is now available to help small businesses better manage their tax lodgement and payment deadlines throughout the year.

Your small business tax calendar can be downloaded from the Tax Office website and provides reminders of lodgement due dates for small businesses, bookkeepers and tax agents. Based on individual circumstances, the calendar records all the due dates required for the year, such as due dates for employees’ superannuation and lodgement of business activity statements.

The calendar can generate reminders, including when a lodgement or payment is due. Download a free copy of the tax calendar from www.ato.gov.au

An exciting opportunity to learn from the best sommeliers in the world is coming for Australian beverage professionals, with the ‘royalty’ of the Court of Master Sommeliers scheduled to arrive here in August this year.

Fine Wine Partners are pleased to facilitate the Court’s first visit to Australia, giving local sommeliers the chance to gain an internationally recognised qualification.

With over 160 Master Sommeliers around the world and only one in our region - Cameron Douglas in NZ - this is offers the chance for our sommeliers to work towards becoming Australia’s first Master Sommelier.

The courses and examinations will be held at the Sofitel in Melbourne and Sydney.