Crumb Wire weekly round up: December 12, 2025

Welcome to Crumb Wire‘s weekly round-up. Here, we’ll reshare the week’s hottest food and drink stories, launches and features.

Don’t miss this new limited-edition secret menu item at Grill’d

Grill’d has launched Rais’n Grill’d: a limited-run dipping sauce inspired by a viral overseas flavour that has been circulating across Australian social feeds. The very literal secret-sauce release responds to growing curiosity from consumers following the trend online.


Wharf Hotel launches hot air balloon-themed dining pods for summer

The Wharf Hotel has introduced Wharf on Cloud 9 for the summer, a series of hot air balloon-themed dining pods set along the Yarra River. Running through late summer, the spaces are designed for groups celebrating birthdays, organising catch-ups or settling in for a long lunch. Each pod uses a light-themed fit out that adds a touch of novelty while keeping the focus on comfort and privacy.

Sofitel Sydney showcases French Christmas traditions with Maison Balzac

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth has brought a French-inspired Christmas to its lobby, unveiling a seasonal collaboration with Maison Balzac that highlights festive food traditions alongside the brand’s distinctive glassware and table objects.

New BBQ Chicken Double Crunch BBQ taco lands at Guzman y Gomez

Guzman y Gomez (GYG) has added a new limited edition taco to its menu today, with the BBQ Chicken Double Crunch now available at GYG restaurants nationwide.

The BBQ Chicken Double Crunch features a soft flour tortilla with queso wrapped around GYG’s hard shell tortilla, filled with grilled free range chicken, sweet chipotle BBQ sauce, chipotle seasoned fries, chipotle mayo and GYG’s jack cheese ($4.80).

Red Hill Estate unveils new-look sparkling wine range

Red Hill Estate has launched a refreshed trio of sparkling wines just in time for the festive season, unveiling a new-look collection that brings together cool-climate acidity, approachable drinking and celebratory styling.

Red Rooster’s Chickmas Wonderland to light up Cannon Hill in Brisbane

Red Rooster Cannon Hill is getting a glow up this festive season with a three-night Chickmas Wonderland, switching on from December 12 to December 14.

The Wynnum Rd store will be decked out in an oversized light display designed as an easy local night out for families, friends and anyone after a bit of December colour. The program includes roaming entertainment, festive music, small giveaways and a few unscripted surprises across the weekend.

Melbourne’s Showroom Bar sets the scene for New Year’s Eve

Showroom Bar at The Royce will open through the afternoon and evening for New Year’s Eve, offering cocktails, canapés and an early dinner before Melbourne’s midnight celebrations.

Hungry Jack’s teams up with Tabasco for spicy Cheesy Loaded Chips

There’s a new hot sauce player in the fast-food game and this one comes with serious pedigree. Hungry Jack’s has teamed up with Tabasco for a limited run of Cheesy Loaded Chips, pairing its thick-cut chips with a cheesy cheese sauce and the original Tabasco flavour turned up a notch.

Bar Sophia by Marameo and Il Bacaro team brings modern Athenian fare to Melbourne

Bar Sophia has opened in Melbourne’s Central Park Village, bringing a Greek-leaning wine bar and dining room to the neighbourhood. The venue comes from Michael Badr and Marco Tenuta, the team behind Marameo and Il Bacaro, and takes cues from the new-wave bars of Athens. It adds a more relaxed, walk-in-friendly option to an area that’s been short on casual spots.

Kings Cross Coke sign gets a new look celebrating everyday Sydney moments

Sydney’s iconic Kings Cross Coke sign has a fresh new look, with Coca-Cola Australia unveiling an updated image that leans into the everyday connections the billboard has come to symbolise. The refresh builds on the brand’s recent ‘Meet Me at the Coke Sign’ campaign, which invited locals to share their own stories of meeting under the glowing red landmark.

Coming soon: Historic Darling Mills site to be reborn as subterranean brasserie Darling Glebe

A well-known corner of Glebe dining history is about to get a new life, with Darling Glebe set to open on Glebe Point Road in February 2026. The restaurant will take over the former Darling Mills site, a space tied to Sydney’s early farm-to-plate movement, and reintroduce it as a subterranean brasserie with a martini-led bar and a French omakase chef’s table.

Saint Juniper partners with Toki for one-night-only gin pairing dinner

Award-winning craft gin distiller Saint Juniper is teaming up with Toki Bistro and Bar in North Sydney for a one-night-only five-course degustation and gin pairing on December 19. Curated by Group Executive Head Chef Jacob Lee, the menu centres on premium Australian produce layered with modern Asian-fusion flavours, with each course designed to pair with a specific Saint Juniper gin. 

Uber Eats to become Coles’ exclusive on-demand delivery partner

Uber Eats and Coles have expanded their national partnership, giving Australians access to a much larger grocery range delivered on demand. The multi-year agreement will see Uber Eats become Coles’ exclusive on-demand delivery partner from December 26, 2025. Customers can now order up to 17,000 Coles products through the Uber Eats app, an increase of more than 50 per cent, with delivery aimed to arrive in under an hour.

Find more food and drink stories on Crumb Wire.

Pallavi Mathur

pallavim9893@gmail.com

Pallavi Mathur is the founder and editor of Crumb Wire. She cut her teeth in PR before turning her lifelong passion for food into a full time gig. Pallavi brings readers a daily digest of what's hot in food and drink, covering restaurants, retail and features rooted firmly in food culture.

https://crumbwire.com/

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Toki Bistro & Bar strengthens food and wine team with new appointments

Toki Bistro & Bar has announced two senior appointments, with chef Jacob Lee joining as Executive Group Head Chef and Lisa Cardelli stepping in as Head Sommelier. The dual hire marks a new chapter for the North Sydney restaurant, part of the Miller Collective, as it looks to refine its food and wine offering with a stronger focus on seasonality, balance and pairing. Lee brings international experience spanning South Korea, the United States and Australia. Raised in a small town outside Seoul, his interest in cooking began at home, shaped by time spent in the kitchen with his mother and a respect for traditional flavours. His career includes time at Michelin-starred A Voce Columbus in New York, a tenure as head chef at Mingles in Seoul and a role as research and development chef at Tartine Bakery in Seoul, where he worked closely with baker Chad Robertson. After relocating to Australia in February 2024, Lee spent time at Flying Fish in Pyrmont before joining Toki. In his new role, he will oversee the culinary direction across the group, bringing together Asian flavour foundations with modern Australian ingredients. At Toki, this will translate into a menu built around harmony, balance and a clear sense of narrative. Joining him is Head Sommelier Lisa Cardelli, whose 15-year career includes roles at Vue de Monde, The Point in Albert Park and Rosetta Melbourne during its time within Neil Perry’s former Rockpool Group. Born and raised in Tuscany, Cardelli specialises in Italian wine and holds certification from the Court of Master Sommeliers alongside a WSET Level 4 Diploma. Alongside her work in restaurants, Cardelli teaches WSET in Melbourne and contributes to publications including WinePilot, Halliday, Qantas Travel Insider, Decanter and Il Globo. She has also served on judging panels for Australia and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards. At Toki Bistro & Bar, Cardelli is developing a new wine list shaped by Parisian sensibilities, with an emphasis on elegance and balance, designed to work closely with Lee’s seasonal cooking and local produce. Together, the appointments signal a shift in direction for Toki, placing thoughtful cooking and considered wine pairing at the centre of its next phase. Source: Curated Agency Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.

Felons Barrel Room is gearing up for Lunar New Year on Manly Wharf

Felons Barrel Room is marking Lunar New Year with a four-day program of food, tradition and community on Manly Wharf, celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse from February 19 to February 22. The centrepiece of the program is a ticketed Lunar New Year Feast on Thursday night, featuring a shared banquet curated by Saigon Supper Inn, the Vietnamese kitchen within Felons Barrel Room, led by chef Bao La. The menu The menu draws on the symbolism of traditional Tết dining, with dishes designed to represent prosperity, abundance, longevity and togetherness. The banquet menu leans into generous, share-style plates, including prawn spring rolls, chicken dumplings shaped like ancient ingots, prawn and pork wontons, longevity noodles, steamed whole coral trout, Peking duck, soft shell crab fried rice and seasonal greens. The format reflects the communal nature of Lunar New Year celebrations, with dishes intended to be enjoyed across the table. A celebration of prosperity Traditional lion dancing will accompany the celebrations, with a performance scheduled for 7:30 pm on Thursday evening as part of the banquet. A second lion dance will take place on Sunday at 1:45 pm, welcoming families and daytime visitors to the precinct. Across the weekend, guests can also visit the Felons Barrel Room fortune tree, inviting wishes of luck, prosperity and renewal, while settling in with barrel-aged beers and Vietnamese-inspired dishes. The Lunar New Year Feast on Thursday, February 19, is ticketed, with bookings recommended. The remaining events across the weekend are free to attend, with walk-ins welcome. Source: The Cru Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.

Sydney venues going LIVE & LOUD for Super Bowl LX

Super Bowl LX hits Sydney on Monday, February 9, with venues across the city going LIVE & LOUD for the early kick-off. Sydney venues are covering all bases this year, with tailgate-style parties at Cargo and Bungalow 8, jumbo-screen pub sessions at spots like The Light Brigade, Woollahra Hotel, Forrester’s, The Marsden Brewhouse, The Mona, Darling Pavilion, BrewDog South Eveleigh and Taphouse, plus rooftop action at Untied and waterfront watch parties at Kingsleys Woolloomooloo, Henley’s and The Squires Landing. Expect mega screens, bottomless packages, wings, beer buckets and all-day game-day energy across the city. Here’s where to watch Super Bowl LX in Sydney: Forrester’s Forrester’s is going big on game-day fuel, hosting a high-energy Super Bowl session with a $50pp all-inclusive package built to last the entire game. Guests score a bottle of Coors on arrival, wings, a pulled pork burger and flowing beer, with $12 pints and $33 mega jugs of Coors pouring throughout the morning. One of Surry Hills’ most popular Super Bowl sessions, and bookings are essential. Offers: $50pp package, Coors on arrival, wings and pulled pork burger, dog-friendly. Doors: 9:30 am Bookings here The Squires Landing Super Bowl goes LIVE & LOUD on Level 2 at The Squires Landing, with every hit, throw and touchdown playing out on the big screen. Expect strong game-day energy and $12 pints from the James Squire Core Range flowing all morning. Offers: $12 pints from the JS Core Range Doors: 9 am Bookings here Woolahara Hotel The Woollahra Hotel is turning its upstairs terrace into a Super Bowl stronghold, with the Super Screen front and centre from kick-off to final whistle. Add a line-up of wings, burgers and schooner specials and you’ve got an easy east-side option for Super Bowl Monday. Offers: $20 kilo of wings, $20 burgers, $10 schooners of 4 Pines American Lager Doors: 10 am Bookings here Bungalow 8 One of Sydney’s biggest Super Bowl parties returns to King Street Wharf’s Bungalow 8 with LIVE & LOUD screens, free entry and an all-day party atmosphere hat doesn’t drop off post-game. Live cheerleader performances run during the game, with DJs taking over after the final whistle. Groups of six or more can book the Luxury Cabana Package, which includes a private cabana, bottomless brews from 10am–1pm and a tasting platter of signature wings on arrival. Offers: Free entry, cheerleaders, DJ after-party, $139pp cabana package Doors: 9:30 am Bookings here Cargo Bar Cargo’s iconic tailgate-style Super Bowl party returns with a full-scale setup in the heart of Darling Harbour. Every play runs LIVE & LOUD across two jumbo screens, backed by halftime entertainment including cheerleaders, skill games, competitions and DJs taking over post-game. Food and drink specials run all day, making this one of Sydney’s biggest Super Bowl sessions. Offers: Two jumbo screens, tailgate party, entertainment all day, DJ after-party Doors: 9:30 am Bookings here BrewDog South Eveleigh BrewDog takes over Super Bowl Monday with coverage across three mega screens, including an outdoor setup for alfresco viewing. The menu leans heavily into game-day classics, with all-you-can-eat wings, halftime raffles and set packages for those locking in a long session. Offers: $30 AYCE wings, $120pp game-day package, $60pp drinks-only package, outdoor screen, dog-friendly Doors: 10 am Bookings here Darling Pavilion Darling Pavilion hosts Super Bowl Monday with big screens, busy tables and an American-style game-day menu built for long viewing sessions. A four-hour premium beverage package is available for those settling in. Offers: Game-day menu, $85pp four-hour premium beverage package Doors: 10 am Bookings here Henley’s Henley’s fires up from 9:30am with LIVE & LOUD coverage, giveaways, prizes and beers flowing throughout the morning. The Deluxe Bottomless Package includes four hours of free-flowing drinks, a brekkie burger on arrival and prime seating. Offers: $99pp deluxe bottomless package with brekkie burger Doors: 9:30 am Bookings here Kingsleys Woolloomooloo Kingsleys pairs Super Bowl LX with waterfront long-lunch energy. Guests are welcomed with a Bloody Mary on arrival before settling in for a chef-curated three-course banquet and four hours of premium drinks. Offers: $199pp long lunch including three-course banquet and drinks package Doors: 10 am Bookings here Taphouse Taphouse delivers a classic American-style Super Bowl session, with LIVE & LOUD screens, buffalo wings, Coors specials and the loaded Super Munch Bowl designed for grazing. Food and drink specials run steadily throughout the game. Offers: $12 Coors pints, $14 buffalo wings, $18 Super Munch Bowl, $33 Coors mega jugs, dog-friendly Doors: 10 am Bookings here Untied Barangaroo favourite Untied launches its first-ever Super Bowl rooftop party, pairing skyline views with big screens and a bottomless package designed for the full session. Offers: Rooftop viewing, $99pp bottomless drinks and snack platter Doors: 10 am Bookings here The Mona A Northern Beaches favourite for Super Bowl Monday, The Mona goes LIVE & LOUD in the sports bar with $1 wings, Budweiser deals and free Bud hats while stocks last. Big screens and strong value run all morning. Offers: $1 wings, $8 Budweiser bottles, $25 Bud buckets Doors: 10 am Bookings here The Marsden Brewhouse Super Bowl lights up Marsden Park with LIVE & LOUD action on one of Greater Western Sydney’s biggest beer garden screens. The American-style menu features brisket nachos, wings and Philly cheesesteaks, alongside Bud bucket specials. Offers: $30 Bud buckets, American food specials from $17 Doors: 9 am Bookings here The Light Brigade The Light Brigade brings Super Bowl LX to the sports bar with wall-to-wall screens and a full game-day menu. Jug and schooner specials, Bud buckets and classic pub favourites keep the session moving from kick-off to final whistle. Offers: 4 Pines American Lager specials, $25 Bud buckets, Super Bowl food specials Doors: 10 am Bookings here Find more food and drink features on Crumb Wire.

Peri Peri Hot Roast chooks hit Coles shelves

Coles has added a spicy new option to its deli lineup with the launch of a limited-edition Peri Peri Hot Roast RSPCA Approved Chicken, now rolling out across stores nationwide. The new roast chook puts a peri peri spin on one of Coles’ most familiar offerings, taking the classic hot chicken and giving it a bolder flavour profile aimed at quick dinners and easy sharing. It features peri peri–infused roasted skin, a seasoned brine and a spiced herb couscous stuffing, all designed to be ready straight from the deli. The peri peri seasoning combines bird’s eye chillies, garlic and sweet paprika with oregano and cumin, before a hit of lemon cuts through the richness. Inspired by Portuguese-style flavours, the chicken is designed to work across a range of meals, from wraps and loaded peri peri chips to a classic roast chicken roll, as well as alongside simple sides for weeknight dinners or summer barbecues. Coles General Manager Meat, Deli and Seafood Karen O’Connor said the limited-edition roast chicken was developed to bring a new flavour into customers’ regular meal rotation. “Our RSPCA approved hot roast chicken is an Aussie classic, so we’re always looking for new ways to delight customers with flavours they’ll love. “It’s our second highest selling product across the country, and last year we sold more than 20 million of our RSPCA approved hot roast chickens. We knew we had to get the flavour profile spot on, with a punchy peri peri hit, a juicy roast finish, and a spiced couscous stuffing that complements all kinds of sides. “Our new peri peri chicken is the ultimate grab-and-go dinner, bringing big flavour that rivals takeaway taste without the extra effort, whether you’re feeding a crowd at a barbeque or sorting a quick weeknight meal.” The release builds on Coles’ wider peri peri range, which includes sliced peri peri roast chicken breast, peri peri mayonnaise and a peri peri quinoa tuna snack. The limited-edition Peri Peri Hot Roast RSPCA Approved Chicken is available now from Coles deli counters nationwide, retailing for $13.50 while stocks last. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

Maxibon’s new choc chip cookie flavour lands this summer

Maxibon has introduced a brand new flavour to its range: the Maxibon Choc Chip Cookie. The new product features a cookie dough flavoured slab filled with choc chips, sandwiched between two choc chip cookies and dipped in chocolate. The release comes as cookies continue to dominate Australia’s snack habits, both in supermarkets and online. The local cookie market is valued at $1.8 billion and continues to grow, while cookie-related content has attracted more than 11.4 billion views on TikTok. Choc chip remains the most popular flavour, accounting for close to 2 billion views on its own. The Maxibon Choc Chip Cookie is a first for the brand in Australia and shifts the focus firmly towards the biscuit side of the Bon, a long-running point of debate among fans. “We know the biccie side is the favourite part of the Bon for many fans, so this launch was all about enhancing that experience even further with a creation Aussies haven’t yet seen from Maxibon,” said Peters Ice Cream Head of Marketing Andrea Hamori. “Maxibon Choc Chip Cookie was made to be craved – a fully loaded, cookie-centric Bon designed to deliver on texture and flavour. If you love cookies, this one’s for you.” Peters Ice Cream has been an Australian tradition since 1907, carrying a host of brands that range from healthy, low-sugar options to everyday snacks for all occasions. The brand is responsible for some of Australia’s most loved frozen flavours, such as Drumstick, Connoisseur, Frosty Fruits, Proud & Punch and Maxibon. The new Maxibon flavour will launch exclusively at 7-Eleven stores from January 25. From mid-February, it will roll out nationally in multipacks at Coles, Woolworths and independent grocery stores, as well as single units in petrol, convenience and impulse outlets. Multipacks will be priced at $11.50, with single units priced at $5.60. Source: WiredCo. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

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