Alex Bartkowiak, Executive Chef for ALH Group in Queensland and Northern Territory, discusses the business's focus on beef and beer.
ALH Group's Pub Network:
ALH Group operates around 350 pubs across Queensland and the Northern Territory, with a significant presence from Cairns to Townsville, Mission Beach, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Darwin.
Queensland's Love for Red Meat:
In Queensland, ALH Group caters to the state's love for beef by selling approximately 40,000 red meat dishes weekly. Their top-selling item is the 250g rump, with a remarkable 20,000 sales per week.
Signature Dishes at Breakfast Creek Hotel:
Breakfast Creek Hotel, one of ALH Group's oldest and busiest pubs, serves about a thousand steak dishes a week. Their signature dish is the dry-aged rib on the bone, which is dry-aged for 60 days in-house, and they also offer daily tap beer from The Keg and custom smoke dishes.
In-House Smoked Meats:
The pub features a custom-built smoker and offers smoked dishes, including 200 kilos of smoked wagyu brisket prepared by their resident pitmaster Butch. This focus on smoking secondary cuts helps raise awareness of their menu offerings.
Sports and Events Focus:
ALH Group emphasizes being a sports and events destination. They aim to attract regional residents to enjoy various sports games, including footy and cricket, by offering special items such as the Broncos rump with Black Angus MB2 rump served with chips, salad, and 4X barbecue sauce, creating a well-rounded sports experience for visitors.
Community Engagement and Sports Focus:
ALH is committed to its local communities and acts as a clubhouse for numerous sporting teams. They partner with over 800 local sports teams and organizations and donate over $2 million annually to charities. The group prioritizes creating memorable moments for people and emphasizes sports and events.