Pan or barbie? Medium-rare or well done? And who is taking responsibility if Dad’s steak ends up overcooked? Steak is a Father’s Day favourite at Coles, with steak sales during Father’s Day week jumping around 13%. This year, Coles is calling in the GrillFather , helping customers take some of the guesswork out of the main event with a supersized Australian T-bone, expert tips from Curtis Stone paired with a red wine offer at Liquorland. Now available for a limited time, the Coles Australian No Added Hormones Beef The GrillFather T-Bone ($30/kg) weighs a whopping 700g give or take 200g and is double the thickness of a regular Coles T-bone, making it a show-stopping steak designed for sharing. But cooking the perfect steak brings its own pressure. Coles research found fewer than one in three (29%) customers surveyed feel confident cooking steak. Among those who find cooking steak challenging, 59% say getting the doneness right is their biggest hurdle, while 43% struggle with knowing the correct cooking time.[1] And the great Australian steak debate may not be as clear-cut as you think, with 53% of surveyed steak cooks preferring to pan-fry their steak compared with more than one third (34%) who opt for the BBQ or grill. With the steaks high, Curtis Stone is helping settle some of those kitchen debates.
“For most cuts, pan-frying and barbecuing are interchangeable. If you’re not confident using the barbecue cooking in a pan is a great option as you can control the heat better,” Stone commented .
Curtis also recommends taking steak out of the fridge before cooking for a more even result, with the supersized Grill father best brought out around 45 minutes before it hits the heat.
“These steaks need about eight minutes each side for medium-rare, turning every two minutes and giving them a rest halfway through cooking. Then resist the temptation to tuck straight in and let them rest for at least five minutes before serving,” he said.
And if you’re still asking, “Is that really medium-rare?”, Curtis has a simple trick.
“Hold your thumb to your index finger, then press the fleshy part of your palm under your thumb. That’s what rare feels like when pressed with tongs. Touch your thumb to your middle finger for medium-rare, your ring finger for medium, and your pinky for well done,” Stone commented.
Coles General Manager Commercial for Meat, Deli Seafood and Convenience Karen O’Connor said Father’s Day was an opportunity to make a meal at home feel like a special occasion.
“Father’s Day is a great excuse to put something special in the middle of the table, and the GrillFather certainly makes an entrance,” O’Connor commented. “We know customers are looking for value while still wanting to celebrate the people who matter to them. With a great Australian steak, and extra value at Liquorland, we’re helping make the Father’s Day meal easier to pull together.”
Showing that steak and red wine go together like dads and bad jokes, Liquorland is joining the GrillFather celebrations with a special Flybuys offer. From Wednesday 2 September, Flybuys members who spend $20 or more on Coles Aussie beef steak can receive 15% off red wine in-store at Liquorland, helping customers complete the Father’s Day table for less.[2] The limited-edition Coles Australian No Added Hormones Beef The GrillFather T-Bone is available in-store and online until Tuesday 8 September 2026, or while stocks last. The Flybuys 15% off red wine offer is available in-store at Liquorland from Wednesday 2 September to Tuesday 8 September.
LIQUORLAND’S TOP DROPS FOR STEAK
- James Busby Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml: $25 each, or 2 for $35
- St Hugo Shiraz 750ml: $38
- Winton Road Cellar Selection Shiraz 750ml: $30
- Cune Crianza Tempranillo 750ml: $18
- Postcards from Italy Organic Montepulciano 750ml: $15
- La Mascota Malbec 750ml: $24
THE GREAT STEAK DEBATE
- Pan or barbie?
53% prefer pan-frying compared with 34% who prefer the BBQ or grill.
- Confident behind the tongs?
Only 29% of surveyed customers say they feel confident cooking steak.
- What causes the most second-guessing?
Among customers who find cooking steak challenging, 59% say getting the doneness right is their biggest hurdle.
- And before you even turn on the heat?
Only 27% say they feel confident buying steak, with choosing the right cut the most common source of confusion among those who find the purchase challenging.
CURTIS STONE’S QUICK STEAK TIPS
- Take the chill off: Let steak sit out before it hits the heat to help it cook more evenly.
- Pan or BBQ? Both can work. A pan can offer greater heat control for less confident cooks.
- Give it a rest: Allow steak to rest after cooking before slicing.
- Know your cut: Consider the size, weight and how you plan to serve the steak when deciding what to buy.
- For the GrillFather: Curtis recommends around eight minutes each side for medium-rare, turning every two minutes and resting halfway.
- Source: Coles Steak consumption survey, April 2026, n = 3,369
- 18+. Valid 2/9/26 – 8/9/26. Excludes cask wine & fortified wine. Flybuys card must be scanned in-store at both Coles and Liquorland. Limit to one offer per Flybuys account. See liquorland.com.au/specials/buymoresavemore for full details.