Free school meals: What £15 and £30 really gets you as outcry sparks U-turn

This is how much £15 and £30 can really get you at the shops - if free school meals cash was handed directly to struggling parents. A scandal erupted this week as a disabled mum-of-two's shocking picture of her measly free school meals parcel ignited controversy.

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China's lobster ban helped lift Australian Christmas seafood purchases by 30 per cent

The seafood industry's peak body said this support by Australians over the festive period resulted in a significant boost in its Christmas sales. It was a difficult 2020 for Australian fishermen with COVID-19 

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Viewers desert MasterChef finale amid programming backlash

THEY poured more big bucks and big names into this year's MasterChef series than you could poke a stick blender at, but it wasn't enough to stop the show recording its worst finale ratings result in three years.

Confetti wasn't the only thing falling last night with viewer numbers plunging to 2.568 million - down 35.2 per cent from last year's final show.

Winner Kate Bracks' showdown with Michael Weldon was expected to top the 3.96 million who watched Adam Liaw take the crown in 2010 and the 3.72 million who saw Julie Goodwin win in 2009.

But the result fell well short of the mark with the evening's contest MasterChef Australia: Finale Night averaging just 2.334 million. Then Channel 10 asked viewers to sit through an entire episode of new reality show The Renovators before announcing the winner.

The DIY reality show recorded its biggest audience to date (1.269 million), but many viewers who were upset at the scheduling tactic switched over to Nine to watch The Block, which sat in third place at 1.82 million.

This is a trick Ten has used before and it certainly did get an additional 300,000 viewers to see the struggling renovation reality show, but has it backfired?

The third series of MasterChef Australia was decided last night with Bracks outperforming Adelaide film projectionist Michael Weldon to take out the title thanks to her version of a carrot sorbet snowman from Copenhagen's famed Noma restaurant, considered the world's best restaurant.

Bracks will receive $100,000 and a cookbook deal for the win, while Weldon gets a trainee placement at one of judge Gary Mehigan's Melbourne restaurants along with $10,000.

The test will be tonight’s episode of The Renovators, which will now be scheduled in the MasterChef timeslot of 7.30pm.

Sunday All People Top 20

1 Masterchef Australia - The Winner Announced Ten 2,659,000

2 Masterchef Australia - Finale Night Ten 2,329,000

3 The Block - Room Winner Revealed Nine 1,820,000

4 Masterchef Australia Ten 1,810,000

5 Seven News Seven 1,618,000

6 Nine News Nine 1,515,000

7 The Block Nine 1,433,000

8 The Renovators Ten 1,254,000

9 60 Minutes Nine 1,203,000

10 Sunday Night Seven 1,148,000

11 Midsomer Murders ABC1 1,106,000

12 Grand Designs ABC1 951,000

13 Great Migrations Seven 794,000

14 Bones Seven 751,000

15 ABC News ABC1 661,000

16 The Gruen Pitch Encore ABC1 628,000

17 Castle (R) Seven 571,000

18 Tropic Thunder (R) Ten 471,000

19 Seven’s AFL: Rnd 20: Hawthorn Vs North Melbourne Seven 452,000

20 Nine’s Sunday Football Nine 441,000

Indian foods

Indian cuisine is the general name for foods of the Indian subcontinent, characterized by the extensive use of various spices, herbs, and other vegetables, and sometimes fruits grown in India and also for the widespread practice of vegetarianism in Indian society. Each family of Indian cuisine includes a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques. As a consequence, it varies from region to region, reflecting the varied demographics of the ethnically-diverse subcontinent.

Hindu beliefs and culture have played an influential role in the evolution of Indian cuisine.However, cuisine across India also evolved as a result of the subcontinent's large-scale cultural interactions with Mongols and Britain making it a unique blend of some various cuisines. The spice trade between India and Europe is often cited as the main catalyst for Europe's Age of Discovery. The colonial period introduced European cooking styles to India, adding to the flexibility and diversity of Indian cuisine. Indian cuisine has influenced cuisines across the world, especially those from Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.

Sea food plays a major role in the cuisines of Andaman & Nicobar, Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands were, and still are inhabited by indigenous tribes. Since they had very little contact with the outside world, raw fish and fruits were their staple diet for a long time. However, as many people from other regions of India came and settled here, different types of food and their methods to cook came with them, and this did cast an influence on the eating habits of the people of Andaman and Nicobar. Because the population is mainly derived from migrants from regions of India, many cuisines of India can be found in the islands.

Chattisgarh has many cuisines not found in the rest of India, while the staple diet, like much of the rest of India is rice. Many Chattisgarhi people consume liquor brewed from the Mahuwa flower. The tribal peoples of Bastar region of Chhattisgarh eat whatever is available, choosing food which would not be eaten by people of other states and regions. Red ant chutney is a favorite dish. Flying ants, mushrooms, squirrels, and rats are some of their choicest delicacies. As well as these unorthodox dishes, fish and pork constitute a large part of Chhatisgarhi cuisine. Pork forms a major item in their diet and almost every major ceremony starts with the sacrifice of a pig.

Daman and Diu is a union territory of India which, like Goa was a former colonial possession of Portugal. Consequently, both the native Gujarati food and traditional Portugese food is available. Because the neighbouring state Gujarat has prohibited alcohol, dining and wining is the most popular pleasure in the territory, with almost all popular brands of foreign liquor being available due to the visits of people from the state to consume the alcohol.

Dishing out a delicious variety of seafood with ample mix-up of coconut is the specialty of Lakshadweep Cuisines. From spicy non-vegetarian stuffs to healthy vegetarian delicacies, the island is ready with every possible kind of mouth-watering dish. The culinary influence of Kerala is quite evident in the cuisines of Lakshadweep. Since the island has a close proximity with Kerala, hence the cuisines reflect the taste of the inhabitants of that place. The local food of Lakshadweep primarily comprises coconut and sea fish. The people of the island have a great inclination towards the coconut water as it is the most abundant aerated drink of the place. 

As a tourist destination, Lakshadweep is one of the most-visited spots of India. People from all over the world come to this island to explore the unexplored coral reefs, the virgin forests and the surrounding serenity. In order to cater to the needs of the tourists the governing authority of Lakshadweep, along with several private bodies have established quite a number of restaurants and eatery joints. Apart from specializing in local food, these restaurants also serve a series of inter-continental dishes. 

From Chinese and Thai to Indian and Korean, the eatery corners of Lakshadweep provide a lip-smacking array of delectables to those who wish to have a taste of global cuisine. Apart from multi-cuisine eatery zones, one can also get the original taste of Lakshadweep during major festivals when the people of the island prepare special dishes in their own home. Almost all the dishes have a touch of coconut since it is an integral ingredient of Lakshadweep cuisines.

Punjabi cuisine can be non-vegetarian or completely vegetarian. One of the main features of Punjabi cuisine is its diverse range of dishes. Home cooked and restaurant Punjabi cuisine can vary significantly, with restaurant style using large amounts of clarified butter, known locally as ghee, with liberal amounts of butter and cream with home cooked concentrating on mainly upon preparations with Whole Wheat, Rice and other ingredients flavored with masalas (spices). 

Roh Di Kheer, is cooked using rice. Rice is cooked for a long time in sugar cane juice.Within the area itself, there are different preferences. People in the area of Amritsar prefer stuffed parathas and milk products. In fact, the area is well known for quality of its milk products.There are certain dishes which are exclusive to Punjab, such as Mah Di Dal and Saron Da Saag (Sarson Ka Saag).The food is tailor-made for the Punjabi lifestyle in which most of the rural folk burn up a lot of calories while working in the fields. The main masala in a Punjabi dish consists of onion, garlic and ginger. Tandoori food is a Punjabi speciality especially for non-veg dishes. Many of the most popular elements of Anglo-Indian cuisine – such as Tandoor, Naan, Pakoras and vegetable dishes with paneer – derive from the Punjab.

Indian foods in Australia

Gharana Indian and Pakistani Restaurant Gluten-Free, Halal, Indian, Pakistani, Seafood, Vegetarian

A Touch of India Indian

Aashiana Gluten-Free, Indian, Vegetarian

Chimes Indian

Satguru's Indian Fast Food Indian, Pizza

Zaika Indian

India Gate Indian

Maharani Indian Restaurant Indian

Deepam Indian

Ganesh Indian Restaurant Indian, Vegetarian

The Saffron House Indian

Hot Gossip Tandoori Indian Restaurant Indian

Bollywood on the Park Indian

Indian Palace Indian

Bismi Halal, Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean

Malabar Hut Asian, Halal, Indian, Vegetarian

Kake Di Hatti Indian

Singh's Indian Restaurant Indian

Namaste Halal, Indian, Nepalese, Vegan

Curry Curry Indian Restaurant Indian

Tandoori Den Camberwell Indian

Balti Indian Cafe Restaurant Indian

Carlton Curry House Indian

Namaskar India Indian, Malaysian, Vegetarian

Tina's Aamantran Indian

Indya Bistro Indian

Spicy Dragon Chinese, Indian

Kantipur Restaurant Indian, Nepalese

Bombay by Night Indian

Cinnamon Club Indian Brasserie Indian

Krishna Indian Restaurant Indian

Jaipur Curry Club Indian

Lazzat Kadah Indian

Nila Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean

Saleem Indian Restaurant Indian

Indian Tukka Indian

Punjabi Curry House Indian

Kurinji Halal, Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean

Punjabi Curry Cafe 2 Indian

Tandoori Hut Indian

Bikaner Sweet & Curry Cafe Indian, Patisserie

Punjab Sweet Centre & Indian Takeaway Indian

Bhoj Docklands Indian

Funky Curry 4 Asian, Indian

Shiraaz, Docklands Indian

Ragam Indian Restaurant Gluten-Free, Indian

Haveli Indian

Taj Agra Indian

Tantra Indian Restaurant Indian

Two Fat Indians Indian

MISHT Indian Cuisine Indian, Vegetarian

Ginger Garlic Indian

Curry Leaf Cafe Indian

Tandoori Point Indian, Vegetarian

Ameer Tandoori Restaurant Indian

The Lion of India Asian, Halal, Indian

Everest Indian

Basera Indian Restaurant Indian

Shiraaz Indian Restaurant Indian

Aaahaar Indian Brasserie Indian

Bangla Sweets & Curry Cafe Indian

Fitz Curry Cafe Indian

Fitzroy Curry House Indian

Tandoori Times Fitzroy Indian

Indi Hots Indian

Lentil As Anything Burger, Indian, International, Vegan, Vegetarian

Taj Palace Indian

Aangan Indian Restaurant Indian, Vegetarian

Krishna Pait Pooga Indian Restaurant Indian

Mumbai Hakka Chinese, Indian

Salaam Namaste Dosa Hut Indian

The Spice Club Indian Brasserie Indian

Bala Da Dhaba Indian

Chennai Banana Leaf Indian

Cafe Spice Indian

Mehek Indian Restaurant Indian

Madras Banyan Tree Halal, Indian

Roti Boti Indian

Thomas Street Grocery Breakfast, Cafe, Indian

Gujarati Rasoi Indian, Vegetarian

The Bombay Beat Indian

Maharaja Tandoori Cusine Indian

Mint Leaf Indian Restaurant Indian

Coconut Lagoon Indian Restaurant Indian

Cafe Saffron Indian

The Host Buffet, Indian

Milan @ Kew Indian Restaurant Indian

Tandoori Flames Indian

Royal Time Indian, Nepalese

Funky Curry 5 Asian, Indian

Moti Mahal Indian

Namaskar India Indian, Malaysian, Vegetarian

Indian Harvest Indian

Tandoori Cottage Indian

Bismi's Gold an Fork Halal, Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean

Chilli Express India Indian

Crossways Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Curry Vault Indian Restaurant & Bar Halal, Indian, Pakistani

Empress of India Asian, Halal, Indian

Flora Indian Restaurant & Cafe Indian

Funky Curry 1 Asian, Indian

Funky Curry 2 Asian, Indian

Gaylord Indian Restaurant Indian

Gopal's Vegetarian Restaurant Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Green Pepper Indian

Indian Gourmet Curry Hut Indian

Jaipur Curry Bar Indian

Namaste on King Indian Restaurant Gluten-Free, Halal, Indian

Nila Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean

Nirankar Indian Restaurant Indian

Om Vegetarian Indian, International, Vegan, Vegetarian

Red Pepper Indian

Shiraaz, CBD Indian

Spice Kitchen Buffet, Indian

Marpha Indian Cuisine Indian, Nepalese

The Roti Man Gluten-Free, Indian, Malaysian

Indian Star Indian

Shagun Indian, Vegetarian

Delhi Moguls Indian, Vegetarian

Arya Indian Restaurant Indian, International, Vegetarian

Curry Cafe Indian, Modern Australian

Punjabi Masala Indian Restaurant Indian

Bombay Club Indian

Shavan's Tandoori Indian Restaurant Indian

India House Restaurant Indian, Vegetarian

Shiva Indian Cuisine Halal, Indian, Vegetarian

The Tandoor Indian Restaurant Indian

Ganaeshaa Villas Indian

Maharaja Tandoori Cuisine Indian

Claypit Indian Cuisine Indian

Cochin Durbar Indian

Curry Club Cafe Gluten-Free, Halal, Indian, Vegetarian

Curry King Indian

Daawat Indian

Fuzion Indian Restaurant Indian

Gurkhas Cafe Indian, Nepalese

Jai Ho Indian Restaurant Indian, Vegetarian

Nirvana Vegetarian Cafe Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Bala Da Dhaba Indian

Bedi's Indian Restaurant Indian, Pakistani

Funky Curry 3 Asian, Indian

Indian Mirchi Indian

Spirit of India Indian

The Bengal Tiger Indian

Cafe Saffron Indian

Chapelli's Cafe, Indian, International, Italian

Little India Indian, Vegetarian

Melba Restaurant Asian, Indian, International

The Masala House Indian, Vegetarian

Bala's Cafe Asian, Indian, Thai

Lentil As Anything Asian, Indian, Organic, Vegan

Tandoori Times St kilda Indian

The Cage Indian, Italian, Pakistani, Tapas

Eat & Love Cafe and Restaurant Indian

New Delhi Tandoori Indian Restaurant Indian

Saffron Cottage Indian

Bhoj Templestowe Indian, Vegetarian

Rajbhog Indian Restaurant Indian

Khazana Indian Restaurant Indian

Indian Affair Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Indian, Vegan, Vegetarian

Curry Charmers Indian

Bikanos Sweet and Curry Cafe Shop Cafe, Indian

Kathmandu Cottage Indian, Nepalese

Le Taj Brasserie Indian

Paradise Indian Restaurant Indian

Sangam Tandoori Indian Restaurant Halal, Indian

My Restaurant Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean

Tandoori Times Yarraville Indian