Setting Up Your Café for Winter
What We’re Doing at Dad & the Frog
As the colder months roll in, now’s the time for cafés in Sydney to make smart seasonal changes—and it all starts with the menu.
We do two major menu reviews each year—one for spring/summer and one for autumn/winter. This seasonal shift helps us keep our cost of goods in check while giving our team a chance to review pantry items, chat with suppliers, and renegotiate prices where needed. It’s also a chance to create a menu that simply feels right for the season.
Seasonal Menu Planning for Winter
This winter at Dad & the Frog, we’ve leaned into warm, nourishing dishes that suit the colder weather. We’ve introduced a line-up of hearty bowls and salads with warm elements, along with a new Cannellini Bean Ragu with chorizo that’s rich, satisfying and exactly what you want on a cold day.
By sticking with seasonal ingredients, we’ve managed to keep our costs within target while still offering bold, generous meals that make sense for winter. It’s a win for the business and for our customers.
Train Your Team to Guide the Experience
The next part of winter prep? Making sure your team is across the menu. When your team knows each dish inside out, they’re able to guide guests through the menu with confidence—and that’s where great hospitality really shines.
What’s the best add-on to recommend? Which drink pairs with that dish at 12pm on a chilly day? Is it a pinot noir or a hot coffee? Latte or lager?
We’ve trained our team to think about the weather, the time of day, and the customer’s mood. That way, whether someone’s after a warming breakfast or an easy glass of wine with their lunch, we’re already one step ahead in the experience we offer.
If you’re a café owner in Sydney, now’s the perfect time to refresh your menu, reconnect with suppliers, and give your team the tools they need to deliver a memorable guest experience all winter long.
And if you're a customer looking for warm food and even warmer service—come visit us.
Every day is a good day to visit.
Dad & the Frog Café
96 Fitzroy Street, Surry Hills NSW
www.dadandthefrog.com.au
📞 0423 565 753