We've dabbled in a few lockdowns here in Melbourne. No strangers to remote working, home-schooling, Zooming, social media scrolling or a 5km radius, we've weathered over 200 days of unsolicited me-time. The upside? We've just about thought of everything you can do to upskill, stay healthy, keep connected and turn a pivot into a graceful pirouette.
If your brand, like many others, is struggling to find its place in lockdown 6.0's climate, here's a list of innovative solutions by local heroes to inspire your next lightbulb moment.
"What a power couple: Andrew McConnell's slick wine bar, Marion, and Baker Bleu, one of the best bakeries in town." — Friends of Bleu
In much the same way that diamonds are formed under pressure, Morning Market is a genius response to Melbourne's quieter lockdown periods. A celebration of specialty baked goods and groceries, freshly-cut flowers, bespoke pantry staples, ready-made meals and cafe favourites — Morning Market is what happens when a neighbourhood wine bar and a bakery with a cult following have a baby. Showcasing the unrivalled offerings of Marion and Baker Bleu, the corner store bakery and grocer located in Fitzroy and Prahran received overwhelming community support.
"In what was initially a short-term means-to-an-end back in March, the bakery has brought such a wonderful sense of community and conviviality to our little neighbourhood... for that, I'm incredibly grateful and so excited for Morning Market to join our Gertrude Street family." — Andrew McConnell, Executive chef and co-owner of Marion.
"We're not reinventing the wheel, we're reinventing date-night." — Nick Bereens, owner of Mammoth Armadale and Copycat.
From the creators of Armadale's institutional Mammoth Cafe, whispers of Copycat — a new restaurant, cocktail bar and date night spot coming to Elsternwick — echoed throughout foodie forums. Proving that when one door opens, others can bolster demand, owners Nick and Zac Bereens found a way to keep their chefs busy day and night. Running from 5–9pm Wednesdays to Fridays, Mammoth premiered Copycat-exclusive meals and a handful of cafe favourites to enjoy After Dark. A story of mammoth creativity.
"Allow us to take your palette on a journey with this new dining experience bringing local providers to your home." — Nathan George, Chef at The Orchard Ringwood.
Chef-prepared meals to finish at home are the answer to how you can enjoy some of the best food in Melbourne without it arriving lukewarm, sweaty or flipped upside down en route. Giving Melbournians the gift of productivity in lockdown and the sense of accomplishment that comes with preparing a stellar 3-course meal, The Orchard Ringwood came to the table. Showcasing the best of local producers in the Yarra Valley region, Orchard At Home had an edge unlike other local restaurants — one that supported regional heroes doing it tough during lockdown.