This is really, truly, not a drill. Zambrero has launched a nationwide search for Australia’s Biggest Hands to mark the arrival of its new Fat Taco, with $5,000 worth of tacos up for grabs. The competition is open from July 22 to August 4 and asks Australians to measure their hands for a shot at becoming the official Face (& Hands) of the Fat Taco. The Fat Taco is the thickest taco Zambrero has developed since Dr Sam Prince founded the chain in 2005. It comes stacked with a choice of protein, pickled red onion and sour cream and has been designed to be eaten with one hand. The person found to have Australia’s Biggest Hands will take home $5,000 worth of tacos and the highly unofficial national title. Zambrero CEO Daryl McCormack said the company had first considered filling the role internally, but the team’s hands did not make the cut. “We considered filling the role internally, but after an audit of the Zambrero team’s hands, we had to admit we simply weren’t up to the task. “Somewhere out there is an XXL gloved Australian whose hands were made for this moment, and we will not rest until those hands are wrapped around a Fat Taco. The search starts now. We want every Australian to show us what they’ve got.” As far as quirky food contests go, this one is up there with Australian hall of famers like the nationwide naming competition that gave the country Vegemite iSnack 2.0 and Smith’s search for a new chip flavour through Do Us a Flavour. There is also a second prize for entrants whose hands may not have the size but still carry what Zambrero is calling Big Hand Energy. The $500 cash prize will go to the person who best embodies the spirit of carrying an entire round of drinks without spilling, bringing every shopping bag inside in one trip or opening every jar on the first try. How to enter Entrants need to place one hand flat against a ruler, measuring tape or Zambrero’s official measurement sheet, then upload a photo and their details through the Zambrero website. Hands will be measured from the tip of the middle finger to the base of the palm, where the hand meets the wrist. Stretching will result in disqualification. Entries for Big Hand Energy will run through Zambrero’s Instagram and TikTok accounts (@zambrero), where people can nominate themselves or someone else by commenting on the official competition post and explaining why they deserve the title. The search closes at 11:59 pm on August 4, with the winners of Australia’s Biggest Hands and Big Hand Energy announced on August 12. No purchase is required to participate and entries are limited to one per person. Source: Forward Agency Find more food culture updates on Crumb Wire.

Red Rooster is launching a new everyday value menu, with six items priced under $5 up for grabs. The CHOOK CHANGE range rolls out nationally from today, July 22, giving customers access to snacks, sides and Red Rooster favourites starting from $2. The pocket-friendly menu includes: Small Chips – $2 1 Piece Original Fried Chicken – $2.95 BBQ Cheeseburger – $3.95 Small Chicken Pops – $3.95 4 Chicken Nuggets – $3.95 4 Cheesy Nuggets – $3.95 Red Rooster chief marketing officer Allan Collins said the permanent menu was designed around customers looking for reliable value whenever they visit. “Customers are looking for great value every day, and that’s exactly what CHOOK CHANGE delivers. “Whether it’s a quick snack, lunch on the go or one of your favourite Red Rooster menu items, CHOOK CHANGE makes it easier to enjoy quality Australian chicken without spending a fortune.” Collins said the aim was to create a menu customers could rely on beyond a short promotional window. “We wanted to create a menu that customers know they can rely on every day, not just during a promotional period. CHOOK CHANGE is here to stay.” CHOOK CHANGE follows Red Rooster’s recent expansion of its $10 Whole Roast Chicken deal, which was extended across the full week after initially running from Monday to Wednesday. Unlike that limited-time promotion, the under $5 menu is staying put. The CHOOK CHANGE line will be available for purchase at participating Red Rooster restaurants nationwide, excluding airport locations. Customers can order in-restaurant, through self-service kiosks or click & collect only, with no minimum spend or purchase limits. The menu is not available through delivery at this time. Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.

Nearly half of Australians say buying local matters when grocery shopping, but price and convenience still decide what ends up in the trolley. A YouGov study commissioned by retail technology company Shopfully found 49 per cent of Australians consider supporting local suppliers and small businesses important when buying groceries. The findings show shoppers want more local and sustainable options, but they still expect those products to be easy to find, competitively priced and available through the supermarkets they already use. Shopfully Australia country manager Brendan Straw said Australians wanted to support local producers, but those choices still had to fit within the realities of everyday life. “Australians clearly have a strong affinity with local producers and small businesses, but conscious consumption still needs to work within the realities of everyday life. “Shoppers aren’t necessarily looking to abandon the convenience of their local supermarket. Instead, they want more opportunities to choose local and sustainable products in the places they already shop. And larger retailers have the resources needed to accommodate this.” One in five shoppers, or 21 per cent, said buying local was very important and that they consistently prioritised local products because they believed they were fresher or better quality. Another 29 per cent said they would choose local products when they were easy to find and priced competitively. Farmers’ markets and local markets are still part of the mix, with 24 per cent of shoppers buying groceries from them. The habit was most common among Australians aged 25 to 34. Straw said farmers’ markets would continue to connect communities with local producers, but shoppers should not need to visit a separate destination to find products that reflected their values. “Large grocery retailers have the reach, scale and existing customer relationships to bring more of these choices into the mainstream. “By placing carefully selected local and sustainable products alongside familiar national brands, retailers can give shoppers greater choice without adding complexity to their routines.” That could mean expanding beyond locally grown produce and Australian-made pantry staples to include organic products, shampoo bars, refillable household items and lower-impact cleaning products. According to Straw, shoppers who currently visit markets or specialist stores for local honey, handmade soap or environmentally conscious cleaning products may be open to buying those items during a regular supermarket visit when the quality, origin and value are clear. Affordability remains one of the biggest barriers. The research found many Australians would choose local products when they were competitively priced and convenient, but even shoppers with strong intentions may struggle to justify paying a significant premium. Straw said promotions, loyalty rewards and introductory offers could make local, sustainable and ethically sourced products easier to try. “Temporary price reductions, multibuy offers and loyalty rewards could help lower the barrier for shoppers purchasing a product for the first time.” Visibility also matters before customers reach the aisle. Straw said catalogues could introduce shoppers to locally made products, seasonal Australian produce and lower-waste household alternatives before they entered a store, while digital channels could provide more detail about the products. The research found interest in local products was not limited to one demographic. Australians were motivated by a mix of community support, product quality, environmental impact, convenience and price. “The retailers that respond most effectively will speak to all of these motivations rather than treating conscious consumption as relevant to only one type of shopper.” Shopfully says retailers that address all of those factors could make local and sustainable products a more regular part of the weekly grocery shop. Expanding product ranges, supporting nearby suppliers and promoting those options more clearly could also help retailers stand out, strengthen ties with local communities and give shoppers another reason to visit. Straw said Australians had already shown they valued local businesses and more responsible choices. “The next step is to ensure those choices are available, affordable and visible wherever shoppers are planning and completing their purchases. “This can benefit consumers and suppliers while also helping retailers differentiate their offer, strengthen community connections and give shoppers another reason to visit their stores.” Source: Hotwire Find more food retail updates on Crumb Wire.

Whittaker’s is taking over LoDe Surry Hills for a two-day chocolate pop-up celebrating its new Berry Biscuit block. Café Whittaker’s will run on July 24 and 25, with LoDe turning the new flavour into a limited-edition line-up of pastries and drinks. Berry Biscuit combines Whittaker’s Creamy Milk chocolate with tangy berry pieces and crunchy cocoa biscuit. “Launching it through our Café Whittaker’s activation with the incredibly talented team at LoDe felt like the perfect way to introduce the new block,” said Whittaker’s co-COO Holly Whitter. “It’s a fun, immersive experience that gives Chocolate Lovers the chance to enjoy the flavour in an entirely new way.” The Café Whittaker’s menu includes: Whittaker’s Double Trouble Cookie – $8 Berry Bomb Bombolone – $8 Berry Biscuit CruWin – $12 Chocolate Lover Cakelet – $12 Berry Biscuit Hot Chocolate – $6.50 Berry Biscuit Iced Chocolate – $7.50 Berry Bliss Matcha – $9 The collaboration sees LoDe’s signature pastries and drinks reworked around the new chocolate block, giving the team the chance to turn the flavour into baked goods and drinks beyond the supermarket shelf. LoDe founder Federico Zanellato said the takeover gave the bakery a chance to play with the new flavour while showing off what its team does best. “We loved the idea of turning LoDe Surry Hills into Café Whittaker’s for a couple of days,” he said. “Collaborations like this give us the chance to have a bit of fun while showcasing what our team does best, taking great ingredients and transforming them into pastries and baked goods that people hopefully haven’t experienced before.” Café Whittaker’s will open at LoDe, 487 Crown St, Surry Hills from 8 am on July 24 and 25, with the menu available until sold out each day. Find more food and drink news on Crumb Wire.