Crumb Wire weekly round up: December 19, 2025
Welcome to Crumb Wire‘s weekly round-up. Here, we’ll reshare the week’s hottest food and drink stories, launches and features. The flavours dominating Aussie dinner tables according to HelloFresh Australians are increasingly using home cooking as a way to explore other cultures, according to HelloFresh’s inaugural Plate of the Nations trends report. The study found that 67 per cent of Australians see cooking as a gateway to global culture, with more than a quarter saying they cooked more international dishes at home over the past year. Hirsch Wine Group builds momentum with new releases and wider distribution Hirsch Wine Group is heading into 2026 after a year of expansion, with the Yarra Valley producer growing both its own wine labels and its role in how Australian wine is made. The group also added a new label to its portfolio in November with the launch of La Chica Con Tinta. The range focuses on lesser-seen varietals such as Arinto and Garnacha. The Clareville launches summer tasting menu and 2025 Christmas Hamper The Clareville has rolled out its summer tasting menu and opened orders for its 2025 Christmas Hamper, giving Northern Beaches diners two ways to experience the restaurant’s seasonal cooking over the warmer months. The new summer tasting menu is priced at $99, with an optional $75 wine pairing. bibigo launches locally made vegan kimchi range in Australia bibigo has launched its first locally produced Suitable for Vegans Kimchi range in Australia, marking a shift toward plant-based versions of the Korean staple as local interest continues to grow. The new products are made without traditional seafood ingredients, responding to demand from shoppers looking for lighter and vegan-friendly options. Six in 10 Aussies willing to pay extra for pre-peeled prawns this Christmas Six in 10 Australians say they’re willing to pay extra for pre-peeled prawns this Christmas, according to new research from the Marine Stewardship Council, pointing to a growing preference for convenience even as cost-of-living pressures persist. Prawns remain a festive staple, with Australians expected to consume around 18.5 million kilograms over the holiday period. But the research suggests how people buy them is changing Coming Soon: Melbourne’s Wine & Cheese Fest is expanding to Sydney in 2026 The Wine & Cheese Fest is returning to Melbourne in 2026 for its 13th edition, right before making its way to Sydney for the very first time. The move into Sydney marks a new chapter for the event, giving fans in two states the chance to attend across consecutive months. Subiaco’s Subi Spritz festival confirms 2026 return Subi Spritz is returning to Perth in 2026, with the European-inspired food and drink festival set to take over Subiaco from March 26–29. The four-day event will once again bring a mix of wine, food and street-level activations to venues and public spaces across the suburb. Grill’d is bringing a new drive-thru restaurant to Lyndhurst Grill’d is opening a new drive-thru restaurant at Marriott Waters Shopping Centre in Lyndhurst on December 20, expanding the brand’s presence in Melbourne’s south-east. The opening marks Grill’d’s 177th venue nationwide and its 56th restaurant in Victoria. Chef Profile: Officina Gastronomica Italiana’s Gabriele Coniglio on passing Italian food culture to non-Italian chefs Rooted in Italian tradition and informed by years in professional kitchens, Gabriele Coniglio brings a disciplined yet open approach to cooking. In this Crumb Wire profile, the Officina Gastronomica Italiana (Melbourne) Head Chef shares what drives him in the kitchen, from passing on culinary knowledge to exploring fermentation and fire-based techniques. Death & Co Melbourne launches food menu designed for bar dining Death & Co Melbourne opened last month as the first international venue from the US cocktail bar, bringing the brand’s drinks-led approach to a two-level space on Flinders Lane. Alongside the cocktail list, the venue has introduced a food menu designed specifically for bar dining rather than formal meals. Majans brings Bluey to the lunchbox aisle with Infuzions Poppeas Majans is adding a Bluey-themed snack to supermarket shelves, with Infuzions Poppeas landing in Woolworths stores this January. Designed with lunchboxes in mind, Poppeas are positioned as a light, veggie-based option aimed at younger eaters. The snacks come in two flavours, Cheesy Peasy and Backyard BBQ, and are shaped for easy eating, with a texture intended to be crunchy but easy to chew. Lake Macquarie’s historic Awaba House to return in 2026 Lake Macquarie’s Awaba House is set to reopen in mid-2026, with Sydney-based hospitality operator The Catering Group taking over the historic lakeside site following a six-year rebuild. Urgent Recall: McCain Foods Cheese & Bacon Pizza Pockets McCain Foods Australia has issued a national recall of its Cheese & Bacon Pizza Pockets 400g after the potential presence of foreign matter. Food Standards Australia New Zealand has confirmed the recall applies to the frozen product sold at Woolworths, Coles and independent retailers, including IGA, both in-store and online. Find more food and drink stories on Crumb Wire.