Taste of Melbourne: Local Cuisine for Corporate Event Catering

A Fusion Feast

Melbourne's multicultural character is reflected in its food. Impress your guests with a fusion menu that blends classic Australian dishes with Asian influences.

1. Crispy Duck Bao Buns with Hoisin Glaze: These bite-sized delights are a marriage of Asian and Western comfort food. Imagine fluffy steamed buns, traditionally used for savoury pork belly, filled with succulent, crispy duck. A sweet and savoury hoisin glaze adds a touch of complexity, making these little parcels irresistible.
2. Hanger Steak with Korean BBQ Glaze: This dish takes a classic cut of steak and elevates it with bold Korean flavours. A marinated hanger steak is grilled to perfection and glazed with a sweet, spicy, and savoury Korean BBQ sauce. This creates a perfect balance between the smoky char of the grill and the depth of Korean spices.
3. Charred Broccoli with Miso Butter and Toasted Sesame Seeds: This vegetarian option is anything but boring. Florets of broccoli are charred to a slight crisp, then tossed in luscious miso butter, a Japanese staple made with fermented soybeans. The salty depth of the miso balances the richness of the butter, while toasted sesame seeds add a delightful textural contrast.
4. Salmon Tartare with Wasabi Mayo and Avocado: This dish takes inspiration from both French and Japanese cuisine. For a subtle kick, fresh, diced salmon is seasoned with a touch of wasabi, a Japanese green horseradish. This is then combined with creamy avocado, and aioli spiked with wasabi for a truly unique and flavourful combination.
5. Twice-Cooked Duck with Chilli Jam and Five Spice: This dish is a fusion of Chinese and Australian flavours. Duck legs are first braised to tender perfection, then deep-fried for a satisfyingly crispy skin. A dollop of sweet and spicy chilli jam adds a touch of heat, while a sprinkle of five spice powder, a Chinese blend of warming spices, brings a depth of complexity to every bite.

Coffee Capital Catering

Melbourne is a city that runs on coffee, and incorporating a gourmet coffee station into your corporate event catering is a surefire way to win over your guests. Beyond satisfying Melbourne's coffee devotees, it provides a welcome energy boost during long meetings or conferences. Here are 4 popular coffee beverages you can include in your gourmet station:

1. Latte: A crowd-pleaser, the latte is made with espresso, steamed milk, and a thin layer of milk foam. The smooth and creamy texture, combined with the espresso's bold flavour, makes it a perfect choice for those who enjoy a balanced coffee drink.
2. Flat White: For a stronger coffee experience, opt for a flat white. Like a latte, it uses espresso and steamed milk but with much smaller foam. This results in a more intense coffee flavour with a silky smooth texture.
3. Cappuccino: This classic Italian drink is perfect for those who enjoy a balance of coffee, milk, and foam. A cappuccino is made with equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, creating a rich and layered beverage with a delightful frothy top.
4. Long Black: For the purists, a long black is a great option. This drink consists of a shot of espresso poured into a cup of hot water. The result is a strong yet smooth coffee with the full espresso flavour without the bitterness often associated with straight espresso.

Grazing Goodness

For a truly memorable and relaxed corporate event, consider a grazing platter extravaganza that celebrates the bounty of Melbourne's food scene. Imagine overflowing platters showcasing the city's fresh, seasonal produce alongside an array of unique Melbourne specialities. This caters to a variety of dietary needs and provides a visually stunning centrepiece for your event. Beyond the usual suspects, here are five Melbourne grazing platter additions that will tantalise your guests' taste buds and showcase the city's unique culinary identity:

1. Crispy Chickpea Fritters with Za'atar Dukkah: These vegetarian bites are a delightful fusion of Indian and Middle Eastern flavours. Crammed with protein-rich chickpeas, they are fried to a golden crisp and dusted with dukkah, a spice blend featuring za'atar, a fragrant herb mix popular in the Middle East.
2. Ocean Trout with Lemon Myrtle: Embrace the taste of the ocean with this quintessentially Melbourne offering. Sashimi-grade ocean trout is simply cured with lemon myrtle, a native Australian rainforest herb with a citrusy aroma. This dish is light and refreshing and showcases the unique flavours of Australia.
3. Kangaroo Carpaccio with Davidson Plum Jam: For a truly unique Melbourne experience, offer kangaroo carpaccio. Thinly sliced kangaroo meat is drizzled with a touch of olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. A dollop of Davidson plum jam, made from a native Australian fruit with a tangy flavour profile, adds a sweet and sour counterpoint to the rich kangaroo meat.
4. Yarra Valley Lavander Honey: Indulge your guests with Melbourne's artisanal flair. Yarra Valley, a renowned wine region just outside Melbourne, also produces a variety of speciality honey. Offer a selection of local cheeses paired with creamy Yarra Valley lavender honey, its floral notes adding a delicate sweetness to the cheese's savoury profile.
5. Tim Tam Truffles: No Melbourne grazing experience is complete without a sweet ending. Tim Tams, a beloved Australian chocolate biscuit, gets a luxurious makeover in these delightful truffles. Crushed Tim Tams are incorporated into a rich chocolate ganache, then rolled into bite-sized balls and dusted with cocoa powder. This playful and delicious dessert is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Sweet Melbourne Endings

As your corporate event winds down, ensure a sweet and memorable finale with a selection of Melbourne's finest desserts. Move beyond the usual cakes and pastries and delve into the unique world of Australian sweet treats. Here are four iconic Aussie desserts that will delight your guests and leave them wanting more:

1. Pavlova: Australia's national dessert, pavlova, is a meringue masterpiece. A light, airy meringue base is topped with whipped cream and a vibrant array of seasonal fruits. The textural contrast between the crisp meringue and the soft cream, along with the burst of fresh fruit flavours, makes pavlova a truly delightful dessert.
2. Lamington Cake: Another Aussie classic, the Lamington cake is a crowd-pleaser. Squares of vanilla sponge cake are dipped in a layer of melted chocolate then rolled in desiccated coconut. This simple yet delicious dessert offers a delightful combination of sweet, soft cake, rich chocolate, and a textural contrast from the coconut.
3. Vanilla Slice: A beloved bakery staple, the vanilla slice is a timeless treat. Light and flaky puff pastry encases a layer of creamy vanilla custard, topped with a generous dusting of icing sugar. This dessert offers a perfect balance of textures and flavours, making it a nostalgic favourite for many Australians.
4. Caramel Slice: For a taste of pure indulgence, offer a caramel slice. This decadent dessert features a buttery shortbread base topped with a layer of gooey caramel and a layer of rich chocolate ganache. The combination of sweet and salty, with contrasting textures, makes caramel slice a truly irresistible finale to any meal.

Pro Tip: Melbourne is also known for its commitment to sustainability. Choose caterers who prioritise eco-friendly practices, such as sourcing local and organic ingredients, minimising food waste, and using biodegradable or reusable serving ware. This not only supports local producers but also enhances the environmental credentials of your event.

Wrapping Up

With that, our curated list of local Australian flavours perfect for corporate event catering comes to an end. By incorporating Melbourne's unique fusion flavours, gourmet coffee scene, and delectable grazing platters alongside classic Aussie sweet treats, you are sure to create a corporate event catering experience that is not only delicious but also showcases the city's vibrant culinary identity.

Be ready to leave your guests impressed and talk about the delectable spread long after the event is over. Happy planning!

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