Comfort is key for Sydney restaurateurs Jake Smyth and Kenny Graham, whose in-season recipes draw on ‘less fancy’ but high-quality ingredients. The pair, who are the force behind the Mary’s burger joints, The Unicorn and The Lansdowne hotels and the new Mary’s Underground in Circular Quay, share their go-to comfort foods – the fried chicken with Aussie truffle mash and gravy deserves special mention.

As far as winter warmers go, MasterChef winner Sashi Cheliah’s spiced lamb soup with roti is hard to beat, and the Studd siblings’ baked Vacherin will make your heart melt.

Darren Robertson makes the most of ever-versatile pumpkin with soup, risotto, pies, muffins and more, while Matt Moran leads the casserole renaissance, injecting new attitude into comfort classics.

We spend time in the LA sun where Louis Tikaram and George Calombaris share the pans at E.P. & L.P. to dish up the finest produce and Aussie flavours – think Anzac ice cream biscuits with milo. Then Shannon Bennett capitalises on liquid assets, serving up soups with superstar ingredients.

The comfort continues with bacon and kimchi potstickers and mac ’n’ cheese by food director Phoebe Wood. She proves you can never have too much of a good thing with five fresh takes on the cult classic (her lobster mac ’n’ cheese should heat things up in no time). 

For a sweet finale, look no further than Dominic Smith’s picture-perfect collection of self-saucing puddings. Grab your biggest spoon and dig in to the likes of vegan poached rhubarb and maple, fig and pecans. 

If the annual pilgrimage to warmer climes is on the agenda, we have some suggestions.

First, Kate Gibbs heads to sunny San Sebastian, where it’s all about the legendary hole-in-the-wall pintxos bars – a must-do for any food lover. 

Next, Phoebe Wood takes us on a culinary adventure around New York’s Long Island, famous for more than just its boozy iced tea. 

A little closer to home you’ll find Bali’s newest holiday haven in Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach before we escape to the British countryside with Shannon Harley. 

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just us?

The July issue of delicious. is on sale now.