Coles is donating a portion of Anzac biscuit sales to Bravery Trust this week, as new data from the veteran financial support charity paints a sobering picture of life after service. From today until April 28, 40 cents from every 12-pack of Coles Bakery biscuits and cookies, Anzac biscuits included, goes to Bravery Trust. Customers can also make a direct donation in-store on Anzac Day Eve and Anzac Day, with trading hours varying by location. The numbers behind the need The timing coincides with Bravery Trust’s annual Impact Report, and the numbers are not easy reading. Demand from current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force personnel seeking financial support has increased by 77% over the past two years, with a six-fold increase in veterans seeking financial counselling since 2023. More than a quarter of those supported, 26%, are dealing with mental and physical health issues at the same time. 55% are supporting children, meaning the flow-on effect of that support reaches entire families. Before contacting Bravery Trust, only 20% of veterans had a household budget. After seeking help, 94% did. The most common requests for assistance were rent and bond, relocation costs, motor vehicle expenses and essential utility bills. Sonya’s story Sonya’s story sits behind those numbers. She served in the Australian Army for over 16 years, full-time and part-time, starting in the Reserves before completing several overseas deployments. A single mum for much of that time, she managed postings, courses and time in the field while raising her children. Medically discharged in 2012 with injuries that have prevented her from working, she first reached out to Bravery Trust in 2020 when her council rates and home insurance landed in the same week, and again in 2025 when her car needed fixing to keep her mobile. “When I first reached out to Bravery Trust, I was very hesitant – pride had a lot to do with that. But the Bravery Trust team made the whole process so easy, putting any fears I had at ease,” she says. “On both occasions, they helped me move forward, and I would encourage other veterans to pick up the phone and ask for help. “Transitioning is hard, but with the support of friends and organisations like Bravery Trust, I’m now making the most of every moment, enjoying what’s out there.” Bravery Trust x Coles Since its inception, Bravery Trust has distributed more than $8.4 million in direct payments to veterans and negotiated more than $1.1 million in debt waivers for clients. Coles has contributed more than $6.4 million to the charity to date, a relationship that traces back to founder GJ Coles and his brothers’ service in the First World War. Bravery Trust CEO Garth Callender puts the stakes plainly. “Our servicemen and women have already given up so much for our country; the least we can do is help them through their transition into civilian life. “This is made possible with the support of our partners like Coles, and the generosity of their customers. Our partnership is more than just about raising funds.” Coles Business Category Manager, Bakery and current Army Reserve member, Rory McDonald says, “At Coles, we have a proud history with the veteran community, dating back to our founder GJ Coles and his brothers’ involvement in the Great War. “More recently, we’ve raised more than $6.4 million for Bravery Trust to support veterans doing it tough. However, the need is ongoing, and we hope our customers can continue to help make a difference by supporting this year’s Bravery Trust appeal.” Bravery Trust is also encouraging Australians to host an Anzac biscuit morning tea as a way to open up conversations about veterans and finances. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

Australian chicken chain Red Rooster has launched a new Reds Hot campaign featuring a limited edition spicy chicken range with a fuel giveaway attached, because petrol prices are everyone’s problem right now. The Reds Hot range has been around a while, but this campaign is the brand’s biggest push behind it yet. CEO Samantha Bragg says, “Reds Hot has always had a loyal following, but we knew it was time to really own spice in a way only Red Rooster can. “This campaign is about giving Aussies the freedom to choose how they want to experience the heat – whether that’s a little kick or going all in. And right now, we know people are feeling the pressure, so being able to give a little back with free fuel vouchers felt like a no-brainer.” The sauce is the through-line, bold and fiery, running across existing favourites and a handful of new limited-time additions. The existing menu gets the Reds Hot treatment across chicken packs, combos, the Spicy Burger and the Double the Heat Box. The heat level is customisable, so anyone who wants to ease in rather than go straight to the deep end can do that. The limited-time Reds Hot Exclusives are the new additions: Spicy Rippa – two crunchy tenders with Reds Hot sauce, lettuce and Whole Egg Mayo in a Rippa roll, also available in double or triple Reds Hot Loaded Chips – Red Rooster’s chips topped with chicken pops, Reds Hot sauce and Whole Egg Mayo Reds Hot Buttermilk Wings – buttermilk wings in Reds Hot sauce, available in 6 or 10 pieces The fuel giveaway is one $1,000 voucher plus 10 x $100 vouchers. To be in the running, customers need to download the Red Rooster app and like the pinned Reds Hot post on TikTok or Instagram, then drop their details in the comments. App download is a condition of entry and the competition closes May 8. The Reds Hot range is available nationally from today, April 22, via drive-thru, dine-in, takeaway, delivery and click and collect. Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.

Strato Melbourne is combining panoramic city views from 40 floors above CBD-level with a spot of high tea. Running every Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 3 pm and priced at $85 per person, the menu is three tiers of high tea classics and contemporary additions, with panoramic 360-degree city views doing a lot of the heavy lifting on atmosphere. Every guest gets a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival, plus tea and coffee throughout. General Manager Jozef Uhlarik says, “This isn’t your standard grandmother’s high tea. Of course, all grandmothers are welcome, but they should expect upbeat music, a vibrant atmosphere and an elevated cocktail list.” It starts with warm plain and fruit scones, Chantilly cream and fruit jams, then moves into the savoury tier, silken egg sandwiches with Dijon mustard and chives, prawn cocktail brioche with Aussie prawns and seafood sauce, smoked salmon with whipped yuzu cream cheese on a sesame bagel, and mango coronation chicken with mint and coriander. A slow-braised beef and poppy seed pie with house-made tomato chutney covers the warm bites. The desserts on offer are the kind that warrant a photoshoot before they’re eaten. Vanilla silk choux, a jewel berry custard tart with seasonal fruit, a midnight chocolate gold dome with crisp pearls and gold leaf, and a velvet raspberry macaron with a silky centre. The cocktail list features Naught Gin creations with notes of passionfruit, vanilla, crisp apple and mint, alongside Bellinis, Mimosas and spritz-style options. A bottomless drinks upgrade is also available for larger groups and anyone not in a hurry to leave. Uhlarik describes the overall feel as deliberately social. “We’ve designed the high tea to feel social, celebratory and just a little bit indulgent. Whether it’s a girls’ day out, hen’s party, or a milestone moment, this is high tea – with a pulse.” Strato Melbourne has been open since 2022 and has three VIP rooms for anyone wanting a more private setting. The high tea is available to book now. Source: Kick Off Communications Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.

David Jones has relaunched its Elizabeth Street food hall as Eat at DJ’s, an eight-venue dining precinct on the Lower Ground floor of the Sydney CBD flagship. The precinct is run by Create Catering, a hospitality operator with a background in luxury retail environments, and spans everything from handmade pasta to functional smoothies. It is built around eight distinct eateries, each with its own identity and menu focus, pitched at city workers, shoppers and visitors looking for something beyond a food court grab-and-go. David Jones Buying Manager Amesbury Hagan says the doors reopening has been a long time coming. “We’re excited to welcome guests back to a revitalised David Jones Food Hall, where diverse flavours and fresh delights come together once again.” Premium doesn’t mean predictable For Create Catering founder and managing director Anthony Whitehouse, the offer is a statement of intent. “The Food Hall represents everything we believe in, that premium dining doesn’t have to mean predictable. We’ve built eight eateries that each have their own identity, their own story and their own reason to come back for more.” Retro Roast is the most knowing of the bunch, a direct callback to the David Jones food halls of the 1970s. Crispy skin roast pork with seasonal vegetables and gravy leads the menu alongside a brisket gravy roll, and platters of brisket, roast pork and spit roast chicken with a choice of vegetables and gravy. Pan Divino City is the CBD offshoot of the Surry Hills Italian, dialled back for lunch rather than a long sit-down. Head Chef Adam Bryce is working with handmade pasta and Italian classics, gnocchi with smoked short rib ragu, fresh crudo, and house-baked focaccia. “With Pan Divino City, we intend to bring our Italian hideaway in Surry Hills to the heart of the city, bringing with it the warm, personable level of service that has been loved by our locals since we opened, making you feel as if you have been invited to dine in our home, not just another restaurant,” says Bryce. “The menu will feature some of our classic dishes alongside new items to help turn your lunch break into something much more.” Wok Bar is doing live wok cooking, dumplings, noodles, laksa, prawn nasi goreng, prawn laksa, the kind of thing that moves fast and hits hard. Next to it, Good Bagel has house-made bagels going in every direction, smoked salmon if that is the vibe, brisket poppy seed if it is not, or a French toast bagel with whipped wild blueberry cream cheese if the day calls for it, with iced matcha variations on the drinks menu. Pizzeria is doing slices and whole pizzas, the kind of thing New Yorkers have been eating standing up on the street for decades, for very good reason: It’s fast, zero fuss, and it travels. Celebration Cake Bar is taking on the special occasions with sculptural cakes, strawberry Belgian chocolate pots, and matcha Oreo cheesecake. Cool Press Juice Bar is the functional nutrition corner, smoothies and broths that can be built out with collagen, spirulina or adaptogens depending on what the body needs that day. The Alchemy Smoothies range covers Pretty in Pink, Muscle Nectar, The Pro Metabolic Shake and Matcha Marine. Whitehouse says the relaunch reflects something shifting in how people think about eating while they shop. “It’s no longer just about convenience, it’s about quality, variety and experience. “With the David Jones Food Hall, we’ve created a destination that brings together different cuisines, formats and dining moments, from quick lunches through to more considered meals, all under one roof.” The revitalised food hall at David Jones Elizabeth Street is now open. Source: Electric Collective Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.