In this study, a fungal mash rich in hydrolytic enzymes was in-situ produced from the waste cake and was further applied for the hydrolysis of mixed food wastes. A well balanced nutrient stream containing a 127 g/L glucose and 1.8 g/L free amino nitrogen was produced from the enzymatic pretreatment of food wastes using this fungal mash at 24 h. Using this solution as sole fermentation feedstock, 58 g/L of ethanol corresponding to an ethanol yield of 0.5 g/g glucose was obtained within 32 h. It was demonstrated that the pretreatment of mixed food wastes with the fungal mash produced in this study is an effective option for food waste saccharification and bioethanol production. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.