Taste of Spring
Thursday, 7 August 2025
How to kick goals with your menu this footy season
Featuring:
Markus Werner – Culinary Director, Delaware North
Footy finals of all codes and colours are a highlight of spring around Australia, and it’s also a massive opportunity for pubs and clubs to draw a crowd and deliver a memorable dining experience.
And no one knows what fans are eating better than Markus Werner, Culinary Director for Delaware North, who is responsible for food and beverage at the MCG and Marvel Stadium. With thousands of punters to feed, he’s seen firsthand how expectations have evolved.
Variety and value
Both stadiums have a huge variety of outlets and offerings. From high quality fan favourites at The Food Store and a healthy range at MCG Fresh, to multicultural outlets like Hawker by Princess and the buzzing corporate boxes, there is something for everyone and every budget.
For many fans, going to the footy equals a pie and a bucket of chips. They are staples for a reason – you can hold them in one hand, they’re fast, good value for money and very satisfying. MCG serves McCain Sure CrispTM chips and fries, as well as the iconic Four’N Twenty Pie.
“Hand-held food is key,” says Markus. “You need one hand free for your drink, and you don’t want spillage over the person in front of you.”
What’s trending
While demand is high for traditional food, Markus has also seen an increased appetite for healthy dishes and a wider range of dishes.
Chips will always be a high seller, both on their own and as a side dish, Markus says. “But there’s also a real demand now for healthy and premium options at the footy. We’ve got poke bowls, dumplings, even sushi.
“Sandwiches are coming back strongly. We do a classic Reuben or Cuban with smoked brisket, these days we’re smoking over 200kg of brisket at a time for our sandwiches.”
He says chicken is also booming, with chicken burgers outselling beef burgers in many outlets across both stadiums, and strong demand for Korean fried chicken items.
Sandwiches are coming back strongly. We do a classic Reuben or Cuban with smoked brisket, these days we’re smoking over 200kg of brisket at a time for our sandwiches.
Game day experience
Markus adds that despite the increased cost of living, footy fans are willing and ready to treat themselves on game day.
“Plenty of people still want classic items – especially for their kids – but alongside that many are looking for something bespoke and high quality,” he explains.
“It’s not just about food anymore, it’s an experience before you watch the footy. We’ve got full restaurants in the stadium that are booked out every week.”
People are coming to the stadium to enjoy themselves and indulge, he says. “We’ve seen no pushback at all on premium pricing… when people go out they want quality, that’s what they remember.”
Keeping up with the latest tech is crucial to profitability, and Markus says some outlets allow customers to tap in and walk out with their food. “Speed of service with high quality is the goal.”
Pop-ups are a great way to innovate and test new ideas, Markus says. “For example we might trial wagyu rolls or fresh sushi; if they work, they might be back next year in an outlet.”
Bringing it all together – hot tips for your footy menu
- Make it easy on footy fans with one-handed items like loaded fries, sliders, skewers, wraps, tacos and hot dogs.
- Offer a range of dishes at all price points, for example a standard burger and a super-premium option. Focus on quality ingredients and house-made elements.
- Chicken rules the roost – think spicy wings, Korean fried chicken, buttermilk tenders, chicken burgers and dumplings.
- Shareable dishes bring mates together – whether it’s a platter, sharing plates, or buckets of wings or fries.
- Be sure to upsell – offer beer and food combos, plus optional upgrades or extras to staples like hot dogs, chicken wings and pies.
Connect with your diners
Footy season is about connection, excitement – and great food. Whether it’s an elevated burger, a hearty pie, loaded fries or dumplings, the key is offering something for everyone.
As Markus says, “Give people an experience they can’t get at home. That’s how you get them coming back.”
With a smart, satisfying menu, your venue can be part of the win — no matter who takes out the premiership.
Give people an experience they can’t get at home. That’s how you get them coming back.
- McCain Sure Crisp Fries are proven winners that hold their crispiness for longer. Serve in a cup or load them up with a variety of toppings.
- Combine two classics with Steak Fries Nachos – McCain Sure Crisp Steak Fries in place of corn chips, topped with chilli beef, cheese, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.
- Create a signature ‘Dirty Fries’ – pulled pork or brisket, BBQ sauce, maybe add fried spring onions and some chipotle mayo.
10mm Sure Crisp
6 x 2kg
- Four’N Twenty pies are now even better for game day, with the Four’N Twenty Traveller. Its unique shape is designed for portability and convenient one-handed eating.
- Don’t forget the ultimate one-handed snack, sausage rolls. Try the extensive range of Four’N Twenty sausage rolls including the King Size and the Lite Sausage Roll with a lower fat content.
- Offer a share plate of small pies or sausage rolls with a variety of dips and sauces, plus some coleslaw and fries.
Traveller Meat Pie
24 x 160g
Featured Products
10mm Cream Flesh Straight Cut
6 x 2.5kg
Beef Lasagne
6 x 2.1kg
10mm Stay Crisp Fries
6 x 2kg
Beef Stroganoff
10 x 1.3kg
10mm Straight Cut Chips
3 x 5kg
Butter Chicken
10 x 1.3kg
10mm Sure Crisp
6 x 2kg
Chicken & Mushroom Lasagne
5 x 2.6kg
13mm Straight Cut Chips
3 x 5kg
Country Bake
5 x 2.6kg
13mm Sure Crisp
6 x 2kg
Curried Prawns
10 x 1.3kg
9mm Surecrisp Skin On
6 x 2kg
Indian Beef Curry
10 x 1.3kg
Beer Battered Fries 10mm
6 x 2kg
Potato Bake
5 x 2.6kg
Beer Battered Onion Rings
6 x 1kg
Premium Mince Beef Lasagne
5 x 2.6kg
Beer Battered Steak Fries
6 x 2kg
Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni
5 x 2.1kg
Broccoli
6 x 1.5kg
Spinach & Ricotta Lasagne
6 x 2.1kg
Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots & Beans
6 x 2kg
Thai Green Curry
10 x 1.3kg
Carrot Rings
6 x 2kg
Tuna Bake
5 x 2.6kg
Cauliflower
6 x 1.5kg
Vegetable Lasagne
5 x 2.6kg
Clear Cote Spirals
6 x 2kg
Beef Lasagne
24 x 220g
Corn Kernels
6 x 2kg
Macaroni Cheese Pasta
24 x 200g
Hash Brown Ovals
6 x 2kg
Spaghetti & Meatballs
24 x 200g
Hash Brown Triangles
6 x 2kg
Twista Pasta Bolognese
24 x 200g
Mixed Vegetables
6 x 2kg
Aussie Sausage Roll
24 x 125g
Seasoned Wedges
6 x 2kg
Chunky Angus Aussie Beef Pie
12 x 175g
