Brooke Warne shares hot take on new IGA hot cross buns
Hot cross bun season is well and truly here, and Brooke Warne is leading the way in charging up Reese’s filling, buttery bites, one by one.
The 28-year-old foodie and hospitality doyenne has partnered with IGA for Easter with the supermarket’s two new hot muffin flavours, Reese’s Pieces and Terry’s chocolate orange, but the collaboration goes much deeper.
For Brooke, it’s a realization of her lifelong love affair with food, which began at the family dinner table with her late father, cricket legend Shane Warne.
“We all got our excitement from dad’s cooking,” Brooke told NewsWire.
“A lot of people think he wasn’t a foodie…he was a very foodie at heart, just not in a fancy way.”
In fact, Brooke revealed that she and Shane dreamed up a MasterChef concept for kids 15 years ago and he became the star.
Although they never pursued the idea, it always inspired her, and in 2023 the food content creator launched Cook with Brooke, a digital passion project that won hearts with its refreshingly chaotic, real-life approach to cooking.
“I love it, and I love that people can see the reality of the kitchen. I’m not the cleanest in the house or the TikTok chef…everything in the kitchen is kind of chaotic and I think people like to see that…it’s real life,” she said.
From hot cross muffin tips to what’s next for Brooke and the Cook, Brooke talks about her food journey, Easter traditions and why her dad would be “so happy” to see her doing what she loves.
As for the IGA partnership, Brooke admits she was initially a “traditionalist” when it came to hot cross buns, but this year’s creative flavors won her over, especially the Reese’s variety with a peanut butter center.
“Reese’s…the peanut butter in the middle is a total game changer,” he said.
The food enthusiast also shared her top tips for the upcoming cold weather.
“I love the cold, I’m so ready for the warm weather to go away… for nice, warm, toasty muffins with a little warm butter in your dressing gown in the morning. I cut them in half and put them on a tray in the oven and baked all six of them – it’s a game changer!” he said.
A self-described “hospo queen” with 12 years in the industry, Brooke’s Easter plans are refreshingly low-key, including watching her cousin’s football match, a family lunch on the beach and, naturally, lots of hot muffins.
“Easter is such a wonderful holiday that there isn’t as much pressure as there is at Christmas,” he said. “Sometimes it’s nice to just be with your family and enjoy each other’s company.”
As for what’s next for her digital passion project, Brooke says she has “a few exciting things coming… But I won’t spoil it just yet, so stay tuned!”
When asked what she would think of Shane’s food journey, Brooke’s answer is simple.
“He would be so happy that I’m happy doing what I love. It’s what he always wanted,” she said.
