As Australian state borders shut against Covid-19, restaurants are better prepared than in the first lockdown. But will delivery outlive coronavirus?
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Less than two weeks after Scott Morrison gave states and territories the green light to loosen the one person per four-square-metre rule to two square metres, metropolitan Melbourne re-entered stage three lockdown. The city’s restaurants were able to serve dine-in customers for a little over five weeks before having to revert to takeaway and delivery only. But this time, many were ready.
Chef-owner Shane Delia (Maha, Maha East and Maha Bar) launched finish-at-home meal service Maha Go during the first lockdown, and Providoor, a delivery service for premium restaurants, at the start of June. Providoor charges restaurants 15% commission, around half of what Uber Eats and Deliveroo charge. Delia says he’s not profiting from the service, used by restaurants such as Philippe, Flower Drum, MoVida, Tipo 00 and Sunda.
Maha restaurant in Melbourne, Victoria
Some examples of the dishes on offer from Attica at Home
Restaurant head chef and founder of Ho Jiak restaurant Junda Khoo
Ready to eat meal Nasi Goreng from Ho Jiak restaurant
O Tama Carey, owner and chef of Lankan Filling Station, East Sydney
Food couriers line Newtown streets waiting to collect food from restaurants
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