Interview - Rebecca Halfpenny - Food For Fingers
When a chef decides to develop a range of finger foods because he can’t find suitable choices in the market, you know they have to be exceptional. Food For Fingers is the result, a range of easy to heat and serve options for foodservice businesses. And there’s also a retail range (all plant-based).
FFW: Who is behind the Food For Fingers brand?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: We are Chef Markus and Rebecca Halfpenny, and we started Food for Fingers in 1995 to bring the highest-quality, pre-made, gourmet finger food to every party and function in Australia.
Markus was working in a five-star hotel at the time. He needed to outsource those labour-intensive finger foods, but he couldn’t find anything that met his high quality standards. It was all full of fillers and unnatural ingredients so he decided to do it himself.
FFW: How is Food For Fingers standing out in the marketplace for the products you offer?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: Our products are designed to offer busy, short, staffed kitchens a product that is the same quality as if it was made their own kitchen. Our easy heat and serve products are so simple to prepare and serve – no chef required.
All Food for Fingers products have been individually developed to perfection, sourcing the freshest meat, vegetables, herbs and spices from local butchers and grocers. We don’t add anything artificial or MSG.
FFW: What products are offered by Food For Fingers?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: We have a large range of products, from our heat and serve empanadas and samosas, through to wontons, gyoza and meatballs. Also, our ever-popular mini wellingtons and unique savoury donuts.
FFW: Is it a family-owned business?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: Yes, started by Rebecca and Markus 25 years ago in Melbourne, and our long-standing staff are part of the FFF family also.
FFW: Do you use local ingredients?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: Yes, our fresh meat and vegetables are sourced locally, and all our suppliers are locally owned.
FFW: What would you say are the best-selling products in your range?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: Our heat and serve empanadas and samosas are our most popular due to the great flavours and ease of use.
FFW: Aside from caterers and restaurants, what other kinds of foodservice businesses are offering your products to their customers?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: We have customers Australia wide who range from 5-star hotel chains and function centres, large sporting venues such as Adelaide Oval, through to hotels, pubs and clubs and cafes.
FFW: What would you say is Food For Fingers’ brand personality?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: Premium, reliable, tasteful.
FFW: Do you supply your products chilled or frozen?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: We supply our products frozen for convenience, longer shelf life and minimal waste.
FFW: What’s involved for the foodservice operator in serving your foods?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: As our product range is so varied, the chef has a number of options; our heat and serve range simply requires a few minutes in a hot oven. Our wontons and gyozas can be steamed or fried, our other products are simply baked from frozen in a hot oven.
FFW: What made you decide to come up with your retail brand, Moonch?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: During the pandemic, our foodservice business was hugely affected. We had always wanted to create a retail brand so used this time to develop Moonch.
FFW: Why did you decide to focus on vegan products for Moonch?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: We had noticed during our years selling Food For Fingers that our vegetarian and vegan products were some of our most popular. As a side note, personally we had decided to try to eat better, and lean towards a more plant-based diet.
FFW: What kinds of retailers sell your Moonch products in their stores?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: The product is sold mainly by independent supermarkets but also boutique greengrocers, health food stores and organic stores.
FFW: How do you make it easy for customers to do business with you?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: We are flexible with orders. Please get in touch for pricing and ordering details.
FFW: Do you ship Australia-wide?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: Yes we do!
FFW: What’s next for Food for Fingers and Moonch?
FOOD FOR FINGERS: We intend to expand the ranges of both, focusing especially on vegan/plant-based in both ranges. Look out soon for the best ever veggie bite/pop.
FFW: Make life easier for yourself! Explore the Food For Fingers range and you’ll quickly see how beneficial it will be for your business. As for Moonch, your customers are going to love it! Get in touch with the good people at Food For Fingers today.
