Our new issue kicks off with chef Mike McEnearney showcasing the best early-autumn ingredients (think apple-core jelly with preserved blackberry fool) before an early drinks break courtesy of the Icebergs team’s new brew that blends Byron and Bondi heritages. Resident drinks guru Mike Bennie offers up his top fun and affordable wines, while delicious. reviewer Anthony Huckstep goes Greek at Brisbane’s new Greca.

Matt Preston takes a long hard look at the fast-food phenomenon (particularly the deep-fried variety) and leaves us with his recipe for the perfect steak sandwich before passing the baton to our chef and butcher, who pick up the pace with a pork, marjoram and parmesan rind rigatoni.

Entertaining is covered, too, with We Are Kindred’s founding sisters Lizzie and Georgie Renkert hosting a fashionable lunch featuring polenta chips with nasturtium aioli and slow-roasted salmon with walnut and sumac tarator.

We go country with an extract from Jody Vassallo’s Farmer – a collection of produce-driven recipes from some of our most-loved cooks and chefs, the proceeds of which go directly to drought-affected farming families.

With busy days come late nights, when fast and filling are key. Andrew McConnell steps in with speedy midnight meals that are both a little virtuous (goat’s cheese and oregano omelette) and sinful (molten skillet brownie).

The need for speed continues with in-demand recipes from food director Phoebe Woods’ hump-day hacks – think one-pan, no-chop pasta and 15-minute pork ramen.

Bella Brutta’s Luke Powell brings us perfect pizzas to make at home and segue to deceptively simple sweets like apricot and cardamom fried croissant hand pies.

In Travel, Melissa Leong explores Europe’s latest hotspot, and editor-in-chief Kerrie McCallum has one (or two) Moët moments in Épernay with the Champagne champion. Remote and remarkable Norfolk Island brings us a little closer to home before we check into the luxurious new Cambodian jungle retreat, Shinta Mani Wild, and George Calombaris talks Lima in his travel column.

Time to take a breather and sit down with our double-saucing butterscotch chocolate orange pudding (a special standalone recipe this month) and a big spoon.