Puss & Mew Distillery: Champion Victorian Distiller, Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2023

Puss & Mew Distillery: Champion Victorian Distiller, Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2023

In a triumph of innovation, resilience and craft, we are elated to announce that Puss & Mew Distillery, a valued member of the Australian Owned family, has been crowned the Champion Victorian Distiller of the Year at the Australian Distilled Spirits Awards 2023. This remarkable achievement is a testament to their excellence in the art of distillation.

Puss & Mew Distillery, named after the legendary British gin-seller Captain Dudley Bradstreet, achieved not only the coveted title but also an impressive array of medals, including 2 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze. This accolade comes after overcoming significant hurdles, including health battles and the challenges posed by the global pandemic.

The Melbourne Royal Australian Distilled Spirits Awards, boasting a record-breaking 970 entries from 246 exhibitors across 11 categories, solidified Puss & Mew’s standing among the best of the best. The Champion Victorian Distiller title, recognises not only the quality of their spirits but also their contribution to the rich tradition of distilling in Australia.

Owner Deb Clayton expressed, “The last few years have been very challenging in a lot of ways, and we finally got to open our distillery after health battles and COVID and everything else. We hit the ground running and we’ve just been running since then. There’s always something new to do, something new to invent, new challenges, new recipes.”

Puss & Mew Distillery’s success is rooted in its commitment to crafting spirits that transcend expectations. The name itself, derived from the ingenious world’s first vending machine developed by Captain Dudley Bradstreet, reflects the distillery’s dedication to pushing boundaries in the pursuit of excellence.

Their success not only adds a vibrant chapter to Australia’s distilling heritage but also underscores the innovation and passion inherent in the Australian Owned family.

Congratulations to Puss & Mew Distillery on this well-deserved recognition as the Champion Victorian Distiller of the Year! Learn more about Puss & Mew Distillery at www.pussandmew.com.au.

Navigating the Great Australian Potato Shortage and Supporting Local Businesses

Navigating the Great Australian Potato Shortage and Supporting Local Businesses

Australia is currently experiencing a potato shortage due to heavy rainfall and major flooding that has devastated the country’s potato production.

The poor weather conditions have significantly impacted the potato harvest, particularly in the eastern states, leading to a shortage of potatoes and an increase in the price of potato-based products. Supermarket chains like Coles have had to introduce purchasing limits on frozen potatoes and potato-based snacks.

This shortage has also affected restaurants and other commercial businesses, forcing some to close their doors or find alternative options. The situation is expected to improve in the coming months, but the industry is currently facing challenges to meet the demand.

The current potato shortage in Australia is a reminder of the importance of supporting Australian Owned businesses. The potato industry and related businesses, like restaurants and retail outlets, are an integral part of the Australian economy and provide employment and income for many people. By choosing to buy and consume products from Australian Owned businesses, we can support our local economy and help to keep jobs and revenue within the country.

Additionally, Australian Owned businesses are more likely to prioritise supply to the Australian market first, ensuring that the needs of the local population are met before exporting abroad. The challenges faced by the potato industry and related businesses during this time is a great opportunity for us to show our support and appreciation for the hardworking individuals and companies that make up these businesses, who are playing a vital role in feeding the nation.

It is important to remember that by choosing to buy local products and support local businesses, we are helping to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of our economy and secure access to the goods we need.

Uber Eats… Into Profits.

Yes delivery services like Uber Eats and Deliveroo have changed the way people eat, but it comes at a cost that might be too much for a lot of our restaurants.

When the pandemic hit, Australians were forced to stay at home.  Restaurants across the country closed their doors, some limited their capacity to stay open, and others moved solely to online orders only.  Restaurants had to adjust and delivery became a lifeline.  With many restaurants moving to delivery services for the first time, like them or not, joining these foreign-owned delivery platforms was their way to help drum up more business.

Although these platforms offer a convenient way for customers to order from local restaurants, process relevant payments and organise delivery, restaurant operators are complaining that this ‘convenience’ comes at a considerable cost to their business. For these services, restaurants are charged around 30% per order, which in an industry where profit margins are often razor thin, these fees can wipe out a restaurant’s profits and land them in financial trouble. Unfortunately this is leaving businesses with just two choices: raising prices or closing for good. Both of which are a loss for the customer.

What’s worse is that the 30% commission being taken from our restaurants is void of any tax when it’s paid to a foreign-owned company such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Menulog. This means profits and tax from our restaurants are going overseas instead of being invested back into local industry. 

The situation is concerning for restaurants, cafes and caterers as rising costs, government imposed restrictions and heavy competition is putting extreme financial pressure on owners. 

So what can diners do to help support their local restaurants and keep taxes within Australia?

  • Dining in at your favourite restaurant when possible
  • Contacting the restaurant directly via phone or website to make your order
  • Look for a local delivery business – they’re out there.  Australian Owned Zoom Delivery recently launched and services the northeast of NSW.  With more local entrepreneurs realising this gap in the local delivery market, more choices are sure to come.

Convenience is obviously a strong driver when choosing what and where to eat,  but it is important we understand that restaurants will close if something doesn’t change soon. It’s never been more important to support our Australian restaurants and caterers.