Sydney’s most expensive Christmas dinners

We’re so sick of cooking Christmas lunch that some of us are prepared to pay nearly $500 a head to get someone else to do it for us.

We’re so sick of cooking Christmas lunch that we’re prepared to pay nearly $500 a head to get someone else to do it for us.

Demand is soaring this year for Christmas Day hampers, delivered meals and feasts at fine restaurants.

If you want to splash out, Christmas lunch at Epicurean in Barangaroo will set you back $480 per person, or $475 a head at Otto Restaurante.

But there are less pricey options for those dreading the thought of spending the day roasting vegetables.

Matt Moran’s Chiswick in Woollahra hope their feast, which serves two to three for $185, can provide a taste of luxury at Christmas.

Chiswick general manager Anna Zaganelli and head chef Taylor Cullen with items in the restaurant’s Christmas Delivery Hamper. Picture: Richard Dobson

“We’ve never done this before but it’s one of the positive things that came out of Covid, restaurants have learned how to think outside the box and get our food to people who wouldn’t usually come into the restaurant,” head chef Taylor Cullen said.

“People are spending so much money at the supermarkets but this hamper will cost about the same without the fussing around in the kitchen.”

Chiswick’s offering includes ham with Matt Moran’s signature glaze, smoked ocean trout, duck liver parfait and a selection of sides.

Mr Cullen said while the hamper represents good value for money, restaurant prices are still going up as the cost of produce soars.

“We’ve noticed it across the board in Chiswick, being really vegetable and rustic meat farm focused, we are feeling the punch a lot,” Mr Cullen said.

“Our suppliers are struggling to get stuff from Europe so flour and pasta we can’t get, polenta I had to get from the supermarket because we couldn’t source it, and dairy as well with floods and petrol has gone right up.”

Goodies in the Chiswick Christmas Delivery Hamper. Picture: Richard Dobson

“People don’t have enough staff and aren’t producing as much, transport is crazy … it’s been absolute chaos but we are managing and that’s why we are doing the hamper — any restaurant small to big has to do whatever we can. Having that trade from the hamper covers us over Christmas Day.”

Dine-in packages for other restaurants are already selling out, but come with heftier price tags.

But bargains can be found at more casual restaurants including Fratelli Fresh at just $89.

While Chiswick will accept orders from Tuesday for pick-up on Christmas Eve, delivery service Providoor is bringing restaurant feasts directly to your door.

Prices range from A Tavola’s pasta for two for $158 to Rockpool’s $300 feast.

“If you had to actually go out and buy a cookbook, get the recipe, buy all the ingredients, spend a day or two preparing it plus potential wastage … this is cheaper, plus the restaurants are doing all the work for you,” chef and Providoor founder Shane Delia said.

“Demand is huge and our Christmas sales are through the roof, restaurants are finding it hard to keep up … so if you want anything for Christmas, book early.”

What you will pay for your favourite food

Traditional Christmas foods may well be harder to find – and more expensive.

Wet weather has delayed cherry planting, with farmers two to three weeks behind.

Availability will be better after Christmas and prices are tracking between $22 to $39 per kilo at the supermarkets, but farmers say bargains can be found at markets.

Oysters will see price hikes this Christmas, with some farmers losing their entire crop in this year’s floods and the QX disease, meaning consumers can expect to pay between $1.50 to $3 per oyster from the fishmongers, to as much as $8 each at restaurants.

“It’s been a tough season for Sydney rock oyster growers with the loss of the Port Stephens oyster farms and the ongoing rain events along our Eastern Coast,” Seafood Industry Australia CEO Veronica Papacosta said.

Supplies of prawns are not impacted.

Mangoes are a good buy this year.

Prawns should be abundant this year with little impact on availability and lobsters are tracking at $30-$35 each at the supermarkets.

Earlier in the year floods in vegetable growing regions in NSW and Queensland saw prices for fresh vegetables soar, including the infamous $12 iceberg lettuce.

Supply has rebounded however and, despite continuing floods impacting supply, drier parts of the country are picking up the slack.

“Plenty of supply of fresh vegetables … some areas there will be gaps but we wouldn’t expect the same impact earlier in the year,” Aus Veg spokesman Shaun Lindhe said.

“There will be some increases but it’s a good time for products in season. When availability goes up, prices go down.”

Mangoes are enjoying good supply and competitive prices, while potatoes may suffer in the new year with harvesters unable to get onto sodden paddocks.

Christmas hams should be fine.

Originally published as Sydney’s most expensive Christmas dinners