Tasty meal delivery just the shot during Covid pandemic

Many Cairns residents are either in isolation or reluctant to leave home as Covid cases skyrocket – and home deliveries of ready-made meals from a much-loved local business are proving a hit.

THINGS are hectic at Stratford Deli since the long-running business launched a contactless meal delivery service on January 6.

Owner Eugene Grossman said the service appealed not only to those in Covid isolation, but also many people who were reluctant to go out with Covid cases escalating across the Far North.

“It’s been hugely successful and it’s appealing to a lot of people, we have tourists ordering, people with post-operation medical issues, and people ordering them as gifts to do something nice,” Mr Grossman said.

“With everything else they’ve got to deal with, people want relief from having to make a meal too.”

Stratford Deli chef Terry Davis and owner Eugene Grossman have been flat out preparing pre-packed meals and platters, which can also be delivered anywhere in Cairns if given enough notice. Picture: Brendan Radke

Enticing offerings include spinach and ricotta tortellini with pumpkin sauce, coconut chicken curry, chicken cacciatore and vegetarian options such as a roasted vegetable tortilla stack.

Meals are $14 or four for $52 and there’s a $10 delivery fee.

“We’ve delivered hundreds of meals so far,” Mr Grossman said.

“We are very big caterers but that is questionable now with social distancing.

“We have made these meals forever – you can walk in and buy them as well.

“People want variety so we have a whole range of curries and whole range of pastas with different sauces and Asian stuff and traditional stuff like pies – we can provide anything people want.

“Supermarkets are low in stock, and people are apprehensive about going to the supermarket, too.

“It is sobering to see how Covid is affecting us, Cairns has been in a bit of a bubble and we are now realising how contagious it is, and how it can affect our economy and our community, the mental impact – please get vaccinated, and get boosters.”

Originally published as Tasty meal delivery just the shot during Covid pandemic