Drumstick and MILO have finally collaborated, and the result is landing in freezer aisles nationwide today, June 23. For anyone who grew up in Australia, these two brands shared a lot of the same moments. The Drumstick from the servo after sport, the MILO tin on the kitchen bench after school and the evergreen unwinnable debates around the correct MILO-to-milk ratio and whether saving the Drumstick choc tip for the final bite is disciplined or just delayed gratification. They were never the same product, but they always occupied a very similar space in the average Aussie childhood. Drumstick Minis MILO brings the two together for the first time, combining Drumstick’s signature cone with creamy MILO flavour, a choc topping and choc flakes throughout. Drumstick has been a freezer staple since 1963, with more than 155 million cones sold annually. MILO has been a pantry fixture for generations, with three in four Australians agreeing that drinking MILO is part of the Australian experience. This most recent brand collab arrives as MILO-flavoured frozen desserts are clearly having a moment. Readers might recall the return of the MILO McFlurry to McDonald’s in January 2026 in response to strong demand, proving Australians have an undeniable appetite for the chocolate malt flavour in frozen form. Andrea Hamori, Head of Marketing at Peters Ice Cream, said, “Drumstick and MILO are brands Australians have grown up loving, so bringing them together felt like a natural match. “Both brands spark a sense of nostalgia and fun and we wanted to create something that felt perfect for snacking, while instantly taking people back to those classic Aussie moments.” Drumstick Minis MILO arrive in multipacks at RRP $9.90 at Coles, Woolworths and independent grocers just in time for the school holidays. Source: WiredCo. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

HelloFresh Australia has launched its biggest menu overhaul to date, adding 40 per cent more recipes and a swag of new premium ingredients to its weekly lineup. The refresh takes available weekly options to 350+ with the ability to swap and add ingredients across every meal. The expanded menu brings more choice across dietary preferences and protein, with a weekly offering of Australian-sourced beef and lamb rump joining seafood options like prawns and barramundi. Gourmet vegetables and a wider range of new ingredients have also been added across the menu. Hannah Gilbert, Head of Culinary at HelloFresh Australia and New Zealand, said, “As part of the refresh, we’ve introduced more premium ingredients across the menu, including customer-favourite proteins like a weekly offering of high-quality Australian-sourced beef and lamb rump, alongside seafood including salmon, prawns and barramundi. “We’re also leaning into global authenticity; customers can now master international cuisines at home using truly authentic ingredients, such as fragrant sambal, laksa pastes and kimchi. These additions join a range of new favourites like smoked salmon, pancetta, and gourmet dumplings, allowing home cooks to elevate their midweek routine with ease.” The refresh also brings practical improvements to the delivery experience. New lined meal kit bags have been introduced to reduce outside moisture, keep produce fresher for longer and support better ingredient quality from the moment it arrives at the door through to dinnertime. The packaging itself has also had a makeover, with the familiar box now arriving in a bold new green, signalling the broader changes across the HelloFresh experience. The HelloFresh app and web experience have also been updated, with improved navigation and personalised menus rolling out in the coming months. A new cookbook feature lets users transform saved social media reels into step-by-step meals directly inside the app, tapping into how Australians already discover recipes online. Andreas Dinkel, MD and CMO of HelloFresh ANZ, said, “This marks an exciting new chapter for HelloFresh. The green box is more than a fresh new look. It reflects the improvements we’re making across the experience, with more choice, higher quality and even more to look forward to at dinnertime. “We know our customers want meals that feel convenient without compromising on variety or quality, and this refresh is about continuing to deliver on that.” Source: We Are Different Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.

Twisties and Capilano Honey have teamed up on a new Hot Chilli Honey flavour, bringing one of Australia’s biggest food trends to the snack aisle. The limited-edition flavour combines Twisties’ signature crunch with Capilano Hot Chilli Honey, arriving as sweet-and-spicy flavours continue to gain traction with Australian consumers. According to new research commissioned by Twisties, one in three Australians (33 per cent) believe sharing snacks is more intimate than going out for a fancy dinner. More than one-third of Australians (36 per cent) say someone judging their spicy or indulgent food choices is an instant red flag, while 31 per cent would swipe left on someone unwilling to share their food. Fifteen per cent of Australians say spicy food lovers make more exciting and adventurous partners. There’s science behind it, too: capsaicin, the compound responsible for chilli’s heat, triggers the same rush of adrenaline and endorphins associated with the early stages of attraction. More than one in 10 Australians (12 per cent) admit they’ve felt a stronger physical bond with someone after sharing a spicy food experience, while 22 per cent say nothing makes them feel more connected to a date than sharing a bag of snacks on the couch. Twisties Marketing Manager Michelle Sonnleitner said: “Following the fan-favourite success of Twisties Spicy Ramen, it was clear Australians weren’t ready to dial down the heat. And what better way to answer the call than by partnering with Australia’s iconic honey brand, Capilano, to create Twisties Hot Chilli Honey. Bringing together the perfect balance of sweetness and spice that reflects the adventurous spirit we’re seeing in both food culture and everyday connections.” Capilano Senior Brand Manager Skye Giles said: “Australians are embracing sweet-and-spicy flavours like never before, and Capilano Hot Chilli Honey has been a big part of that trend. We’re thrilled to partner with Twisties to bring this flavour combination to an iconic Australian snack.” Twisties is also putting the science of swicy attraction to the test, partnering with Merge Dating to host a Sweet and Spicy Singles Mixer on July 1 at Zeta Bar in Sydney’s CBD. Twisties Hot Chilli Honey lands exclusively at independent grocers nationwide from June 29, before rolling out to other retailers nationally from August. Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

Restaurant booking platform First Table has opened its doors to solo diners and larger groups, rolling out its biggest format update since launch. The changes allow bookings for one person and groups of up to six at participating venues in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with other cities set to follow. Diners can also now book up to 14 days in advance. No mates? No worries Until now, First Table bookings were limited to groups of two to four and could only be made up to seven days ahead. The platform, which offers diners 50 per cent off their food bill when booking the first table of the service, has also moved its daily table release time from 9 pm to midday, making it easier to browse and book during the day. First Table CEO Alex Cappy said the update would open the platform to more diners than ever before. “Whether you’re a solo diner on a Tuesday night, a family of six celebrating a birthday, or a couple planning an anniversary two weeks out, you’ll now be able to book through First Table and save 50% on your food bill. This is a big step forward for the platform and will allow us to facilitate more bookings than ever before. “Solo diners will be able to book for the first time, which is going to be great for anyone who travels for work and those who simply enjoy their own company. We’ve also expanded group bookings to groups of up to six, opening up the platform to families, larger friend groups and corporate dinners.” More time to plan ahead The update comes as restaurants continue to grapple with rising food and ingredient costs, wage increases and changing consumer habits. In Australia, food and non-alcoholic beverages were the third largest contributor to Consumer Price Index growth (+3.1%), adding pressure to household dining budgets while venues look for new ways to fill tables. First Table National Sales Manager Australia, Sarah Reuss, said, “In Australia, the appetite for dining out remains strong. But now more than ever, people want the experience, and they want to feel smart about how they spend. First Table gives them that. “Opening the platform to solo diners and groups of up to six means there’s now a place for everyone at the table. More Australians will be able to discover new restaurants and make them a regular part of their lives.” First Table says the expanded group sizes and booking flexibility are designed to help restaurants attract more customers during quieter trading periods while giving diners more opportunities to try new venues. Among the businesses already backing the changes is Local Burleigh, part of Queensland’s Rabble Group. Head of Burleigh Operations and Performance Steve Heincke welcomed the changes. “Opening up to solo diners and groups of up to six is a genuine win for restaurants like ours. We’re always looking for ways to bring more people through the door during quieter periods, and First Table does exactly that for us. These changes mean more covers, more new faces, and more opportunities to turn a first visit into a regular. The industry needs smart solutions right now, and this is one of them. “Every one of these updates is good for restaurants. We know this will entice more diners to get out and support their local restaurants during a tough period for the hospitality industry.” First Table has seated more than five million diners since launching in 2014 and now connects more than 3.6 million diners with over 4,400 restaurants across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The updates are rolling out across participating venues now. Source: Little Big Deal Find more dining out updates on Crumb Wire.