Australian Foodservice Advocacy Body, PO Box 4372, North Sydney (2025)

29/09/2025

🚨 LAST CHANCE! Sign-ups close TOMORROW! 🚨

🎉 AFAB is thrilled to share that our Founding Member, MasterFoods™ Professional, has launched the Chef’s Kiss Newsletter — your ultimate digital pass to the hottest foodservice trends, insider tips and flavour-packed inspiration!

This exclusive newsletter is crafted for foodservice pros who want to stay ahead of the game and bring bold, fresh flavour to every service.

By signing up, you’ll unlock:
🔥 Cutting-edge industry insights and trends
🧠 Smart kitchen hacks to save time, reduce costs, and boost flavour
👨🍳 Inspiring stories from Aussie chefs and venues
🎁 Early access to exclusive giveaways, offers and more!

👉 Hurry — sign-ups close TOMORROW!
💥 Don’t miss your chance to be in the draw to WIN a $500 e-gift card!
(Plus 10 runner-up prizes of $25 e-gift cards 🎉)

👉 Sign up now: https://zurl.co/TCRkE

🕐 Entries close 30 September 2025.
T&Cs apply. Winners notified via email.

26/09/2025

Celebrating our incredible AFAB Award winners!

FOBOH has been presented with the AFAB Innovation Hero Award in formal recognition of its outstanding achievements in advancing the foodservice industry through artificial intelligence.

FOBOH's innovative solutions automate complex order management and integration tasks, significantly reducing operational errors and manual processes for food and beverage wholesalers and distributors. This award reflects FOBOH's dedicated commitment to excellence, impact and the continuous improvement of the global foodservice ecosystem.

AFAB is dedicated to championing such innovation to ensure the long-term success of the Australian foodservice industry. By recognising and encouraging forward-thinking companies like FOBOH, AFAB inspires the sector to embrace new technologies and collaborative solutions that allow businesses to grow, adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. This commitment supports a vibrant future for foodservice and helps unlock its full potential for Australia.

25/09/2025

Celebrating our incredible AFAB Award winners!

AFAB was delighted to announce Ecolab ANZ as the recipient of the inaugural AFAB Sustainability Hero Award at the 1st Annual Hostplus AFAB & ARCA Industry Gala night during Fine Food. Ecolab was awarded this recognition due to the company’s long and on-going commitment to a sustainable future within food manufacturing – globally as well as with distinct focus on Australia and New Zealand.

Ecolab’s sustainability endeavours within the Australian and New Zealand food industry has, in particular, been focused on the use of water – how it can be minimised and preserved as a precious resource – within a wide variety of manufacturing processes from cleaning, sanitation to the actual food processing itself. Over the past five years, Ecolab has invested heavily in local manufacturing and RD&E capabilities in Australia.

On behalf of AFAB members, we extend our congratulations to Ecolab for their recognition as AFAB Sustainability Hero for 2025.

24/09/2025

Celebrating our incredible AFAB Award winners!

AFAB was delighted to announce that Frank Furlong was nominated as our inaugural Industry Hero for 2025 at the 1st Annual Hostplus AFAB & ARCA Industry Gala night during Fine Food. This recognition is awarded to a person for an outstanding career, work and contribution to the Australian Foodservice industry.

Frank emigrated to Australia from the United Kingdom back in 1982. His early career in Australia was in the beverage and gourmet foods market. From year 2000, he entered into a Sydney brokerage business representing various food & beverage suppliers in the Australian foodservice market and has since never left the industry! From 2004 and up until today, Frank has been employed with Mission Foods Australia, in the main as NSW State Manager, and has played a pivotal role in developing and growing Mission Foods’ sales and market leading reputation within the foodservice sector.

Frank has also supported and led the NSW Food Industry Association (FIA) for the past 23 years. Frank has contributed to FIA’s work and development as an eminent industry association in various roles, including the position of Treasurer, Vice President and President (for a six year period). Frank’s contribution is on-going, and he has been honoured by FIA with a Life Membership of the Association.

We warmly congratulate Frank on behalf of AFAB’s Members with his nomination as AFAB Industry Hero for 2025!

22/09/2025

🎉 AFAB is excited to announce that our Founding Member, MasterFoods™ Professional, has just launched their brand-new Chef’s Kiss Newsletter — your ultimate digital pass to the latest trends, insider tips and flavour-packed inspiration!

This exclusive digital insider delivers the freshest industry trends, smart kitchen tips and flavour-packed inspiration straight to your inbox — designed especially for foodservice pros who want to stay ahead and bring more flavour to every service.

By signing up, you’ll unlock:
🔥 The latest industry insights and trends
🧠 Practical tips to save time, cut costs and boost flavour
👨 Inspiring stories from Aussie chefs and venues
🎁 First access to exclusive giveaways, special offers and more!

And here’s the best part — sign up now for your chance to WIN a $500 e-gift card!
(Plus 10 runner-up prizes of $25 e-gift cards 🎉)

👉 Sign up now: https://zurl.co/O6OAF

🕐 Entries close 30 September 2025.
T&Cs apply. Winners notified via email.

18/09/2025

✨ What a night! The 1st Annual Hostplus ARCA & AFAB Industry Gala was a celebration to remember.

Last week, the foodservice and hospitality community came together at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf to honour the incredible people driving our industry forward.

🎉 From heartfelt recognition to powerful performances (shoutout to the 🎶 Ellian Collective), inspiring keynote speeches and our very own 🏆 AFAB Hero Recognition Awards, the night was packed with energy, gratitude and connection.

🙏 A huge thanks to our wonderful host Kate Creedon (9News), and to our special guests:

John Graham, Minister for the Night-Time Economy NSW
Kevin Hogan MP, Federal Shadow Minister for Trade & Tourism
Kevin Anderson MP, Shadow Minister for Tourism NSW

👏 Congratulations to our award winners:

Industry Hero: Frank Furlong
Sustainability Hero: Ecolab
Innovation Hero: FOBOH

💙 And a heartfelt thank you to our partners and sponsors:
Fine Food Australia, Doltone House, Tanda, Tip Top Foodservice, VistaPrint and Volume.

📸 Missed the night or want to relive it?
👉 View or download the full photo gallery here: https://zurl.co/UZagS

Here’s to building an even brighter future — together. 🚀

16/09/2025

What an incredible morning we had last week at the AFAB 4th Annual State of Play Foodservice Report 2025 Breakfast Launch at ICC Sydney! 🙌✨

We were once again honoured to welcome a powerhouse panel of industry leaders who brought energy, insight and inspiration to the stage:
🎤 Luke Grima – KPMG Australia
🎤 Matt Rawe – Hubfoods
🎤 Phil Boss MAITD – RiseUp
🎤 Neil Parker – Bridgepoint Group
🎤 Christy Moses – Miller Leith
🎙️ Moderated by: Brett Boyle MAITD – Co-Deputy Chair of AFAB & CEO of RiseUp
🎤 Compèred by: Sissel Rosengren – Chair of AFAB & MD of Food Industry Foresight

💛 A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us and helped make this event truly unforgettable.

📸 View the gallery and relive the energy, conversations and standout moments from the day! ✨

Gallery > https://zurl.co/hQOU9

15/09/2025

🎉 AFAB is excited to announce that our Founding Member, MasterFoods™ Professional, has just launched their brand-new Chef’s Kiss Newsletter — your ultimate digital pass to the latest trends, insider tips and flavour-packed inspiration!

This exclusive digital insider delivers the freshest industry trends, smart kitchen tips and flavour-packed inspiration straight to your inbox — designed especially for foodservice pros who want to stay ahead and bring more flavour to every service.

By signing up, you’ll unlock:
🔥 The latest industry insights and trends
🧠 Practical tips to save time, cut costs and boost flavour
👨 Inspiring stories from Aussie chefs and venues
🎁 First access to exclusive giveaways, special offers and more!

And here’s the best part — sign up now for your chance to WIN a $500 e-gift card!
(Plus 10 runner-up prizes of $25 e-gift cards 🎉)

👉 Sign up now: https://zurl.co/dK5kt

🕐 Entries close 30 September 2025.
T&Cs apply. Winners notified via email.

12/09/2025

Dining precincts are booming in Australia as diners look for more value, variety and memorable experiences — a trend fueled by rising living costs 📈. These vibrant destinations combine multiple venues offering food, drinks and entertainment, all in one spot 🎉.

Hospitality leaders like Justin Hemmes and Chris Lucas are investing in the model, citing its ability to deliver atmosphere, flexibility and choice. Developers are also backing it, with curated precincts like TOGA’s Wunderlich Lane and The Collective driving foot traffic and repeat visits 👣🍽️.

Key benefits to dining precincts:

🍴 Variety & convenience: One-stop destination with options for every taste.
✨ Experience-driven: Combines dining, ambiance and entertainment.
💰 Commercial value: Increases customer spend and return rates.
🌃 Economic boost: Aids the recovery of Australia’s $102B night-time economy.

While some precincts face challenges, local independents in places like Hobart and Sydney’s Inner West continue to thrive through authentic, community-focused offerings 🧑🍳❤️.

Dining precincts — whether slick urban hubs or eclectic neighborhood strips — are shaping the future of hospitality in Australia 🌟.

🔗 Read more: https://zurl.co/xu6rE

❓ Would you rather spend a night exploring multiple venues in a precinct — or stick with your favourite local gem?

11/09/2025

Welcoming AFAB’s newest Member: & Johnston Pty Ltd

We are thrilled to announce that this passionate, family-owned manufacturer of delicious and inspiring convenient meal solutions is joining our AFAB community!

Here’s why we’re so excited to partner with them:

🏆 Pioneering heritage: With four generations of expertise since 1986, they were the first in Australia to introduce sous vide meats to retail.

🍳 Culinary excellence: Their chef-crafted meals use precision sous vide technology for incredible flavour, nutrition and consistency.

✅ Uncompromising quality: State-of-the-art manufacturing ensures the highest standards of food safety and premium results every time.

🌱 Purpose-led: Deeply committed to sustainability, sourcing Australian ingredients, supporting communities through Foodbank and investing in their people.

Join us in welcoming a true innovator in convenient meal solutions! 👋

Discover more: https://zurl.co/gl64d
View our Membership > https://zurl.co/S6vD1

10/09/2025

It was a pleasure to welcome everyone to the launch of the 2025 State of Play report from AFAB. A sold out event - it was fantastic to see so many people interested in the report’s latest findings and compelling panel discussion. The report is being distributed online to eligible AFAB members on Friday. If you are interested in receiving access, please contact us. Or if you are attending Fine Food at the ICC, come talk to us at The Lounge on level 1.

09/09/2025

🎉 AFAB is proud to announce the launch of Future Menus Vol. 3 by our Partner Unilever Food Solutions ANZ in Australia and New Zealand — an insightful trend report highlighting what’s next for the foodservice industry, from restaurants and cafés to pubs, food trucks and everything in between.

🔍 Backed by global research, this edition explores how Gen Z tastes, culinary tourism and emerging technologies are reshaping the way we cook, serve and experience food.

🍽️ What’s exciting in this issue:

These four bold trends are turning global insights into local menu inspiration — here’s what’s heating up:

🍜 Street food couture – Street food goes gourmet. Think food truck flavours with fine-dining flair — perfect for value-driven, adventurous Gen Z diners.

🌍 Borderless cuisine – The rise of third-culture cooking is here. Expect bold fusions and authentic dishes from migrant communities gaining centre stage.

🌿 Culinary roots – A revival of forgotten recipes and regional cuisines. Chefs are embracing heritage, Indigenous traditions, and hyperlocal ingredients.

🤖 Diner designed – Personalised, tech-enabled dining is booming. AI-powered menus, customisable dishes and immersive experiences are redefining hospitality.

📢 Don’t miss Emily Ng, UFS ANZ Country & Marketing Lead, and Dan Hong, Executive Chef at Merivale, presenting these trends live at Fine Food Sydney on 09 September. Discover how the future of food is being crafted in Aussie kitchens.

📥 Download the full report and get inspired to future-proof your menu: https://zurl.co/AhaoF

Australian Foodservice Advocacy Body

29/09/2025

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25/09/2025

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22/09/2025

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