Mercurio's Menu
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television production |
| Founded | February 2008 |
| Founder | WTFN Entertainment |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Area served | Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Pacific region, Indian subcontinent, Israel, Spain |
| Products | Television program |
Mercurio's Menu is an Australian culinary television series presented by Paul Mercurio. The show follows Paul as he journeys throughout Australia, highlighting distinctive regional dishes and local culinary experts. Created by WTFN, it is broadcast on Channel Seven along with several other stations across Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, the program is aired on the Australian Network, reaching audiences in more than 44 countries throughout Asia, the Pacific region, and the Indian subcontinent, with distribution agreements extending to markets such as Israel and Spain.
History
The series debuted in February 2008, originally scheduled for Sunday evenings at 5:30 pm on Channel Seven. Later seasons premiered in February 2009, April 2010, and May 2011 (specifically in NSW). A notable one-hour special, filmed in Kenya’s Koricho Tea plantations, was broadcast nationwide on 28 May 2011.
Dishes
Mercurio's Menu has introduced unique recipes credited to Mercurio himself, including creations like "Pasodoble Pizza Pockets" and "Strictly Stroganoff." These titles are not featured in the official cookbook. Recipes from the first three seasons can be accessed via the Lifestyle network’s website.
Availability
Within Australia, the show airs Sundays at 5:30 pm on Channel Seven as well as regional affiliates such as Prime and Southern Cross, though scheduling may shift due to sports events (for example, airing Saturdays in Victoria). It also broadcasts on Saturdays at 9 pm on 7Two. In New Zealand, episodes are shown weekday afternoons on the subscription channel Food Television. From August 2011, series one through three were available on Foxtel in Australia.
Episodes
Series One – 2008
Episode 1 – Gold Coast
Episode 2 – Townsville
Originally aired on 17 May 2008, this installment featured Townsville and Magnetic Island. Paul visited prominent local establishments including The Watermark, Aquarius on the Beach, Moke Magnetic, and Barefoot Art Food Wine. Partnering with executive chef Sean Calliste, Paul created a pizza incorporating prawns, avocado, and bocconcini. The episode also showcased regional specialties such as barramundi, prawns, beer, sugarcane, alongside Paul's Great Walk for Cancer initiative.
Series Two – 2009
Series Three – 2010
Series Four – 2011
References
The Mercurio's Menu cookbook, published by Murdoch Books in November 2009, compiles recipes from the first two series and continues to be sold through various retailers and online outlets.