If lockdown's good for nothing else, it's a superb opportunity to get some takeaway for dinner, and Ballarat's stellar hospitality venues need your help more than ever.
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With our eighth lockdown setting in from Wednesday night, many cafes, restaurants, and bars will be returning to takeaways and delivery for the next seven days.
The past 18 months has seen challenges for pizzas, pastas, burgers, and more across the city, as well as collaborations between fine dining restaurants and caterers for something a little bit fancy.
Plate Up Ballarat's Kate Davis said the industry had been blindsided by the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, but people can still do their part.
"Even working with Co-Lab, we were really steady with sales we had, and I messaged the restaurateurs this morning - as soon as announcement came through, we had orders coming through," she said.
"People need time to get their head around what this all means, not just the community but also our restaurateurs - they were able to have people inside and outside, which wasn't enough people, now they're having to turn back to takeaway again."
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Many restaurants will have new offerings - Moon and Mountain, on Mair Street, released a new menu on Wednesday, and plenty of other favourites have special lockdown packs ready to roll.
Those meals are a great way to reconnect with people, even virtually, Ms Davis added.
"Because everyone's feeling the way they're feeling at the moment, I know people are a bit over the Zoom dinners, but come together and decide on a meal package and try to have a meal together," she said.
"The heat and eat instructions are pretty easy to follow, and people can still stay connected with some beautiful food and drink."
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Take a cheeky photo as well and share it online, she said, because that will help give the industry a jolt when visitors are allowed to return.
"I truly believe that we are our own city's ambassadors, and when we take that sense of pride for what we have here, it'll help our friends and family outside of Ballarat to see how dynamic our food scene is," she said.
"The more we show our support, the more we can get that message out."
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