Our unique food culture promotes interaction amongst conference delegates.
Our talented team including Katherine Farrugia, Josh Reader, Hayden Brown and Katrina Woods led by Executive Chef, Adam Draper have a food philosophy that is quite simple.
Complement each ingredient, not to complicate it.
Our kitchen believe real food is local, organic, sustainable and has a real connection to the land and community.
Menus are crafted on what’s in season.
A message from our executive chef – Adam Draper
Food is our way of connecting locality, culture and people.
A taste of Summer–
It’s easy to eat fresh, locally grown food when fruits and vegetables are as abundant and available as they are during the summer months.
Food is more available and therefore it is more affordable.
Summer is here and with it comes an abundance of new ripe ingredients to play with in the kitchen.
Cucumber, avocado, tomato and strawberries are just a handful of the summer ingredients that are now in season. Read more here.
What styles of conference catering do we offer?
Conference Catering FAQs
Do you cater for delegates with special dietary requirements?
Absolutely, our team can cater for any dietary requirement.
Is morning and afternoon tea supplied?
This is dependent on what package has been booked.
Is coffee and tea supplied during my meeting?
We offer Nespresso coffee and organic LOVE tea in the lounge area, available all day at no charge to guests. Barista made coffee is also available for purchase.
Do delegates get a choice of what protein they would like?
The organiser may pre-select the menu or they can leave this up to the Chef to select.
Can the catering be delivered to our conference room?
Yes of course. We understand that sometimes our groups require the ability to work during a catering break and we can discuss the best option to make this happen.
Can we eat outside in the warmer weather?
You sure can. In the warmer months, we love hosting our groups in the fresh air for breaks. Be it morning tea on the terrace, lunch overlooking the pool or canapes in the kitchen garden.
BISTRO LUNCH & DINNER
Dine in one of our various beautiful spaces around the Estate and in the warmer months you can even enjoy the experience outdoors if you so choose.
Whether it be for a business meeting, informal catch up or meal during your stay, our bistro service is available to all.
The Bistro service offers a small seasonal a la carte menu with main and dessert selections.
Bistro lunch is available 12noon – 2pm Monday to Friday
Bistro dinner is available 6pm – 8pm Monday to Thursday.
Bookings recommended. Groups of 10 or more are required to pre-order, by 10am on the day of dining. The team member taking your booking will forward a menu.
Bistro FAQs
How do I make a booking?
Email us with your reservation details on wpe@deakin.edu.au
or call us on 03 5227 3000
Is it family friendly?
Waurn Ponds Estate is a conference and events centre, with a corporate atmosphere, therefore we don’t cater for children.
Do I have to be attending an event or staying at the Estate to use the Bistro service?
It is open to anyone, regardless of whether you’re attending an event or staying with us.
What is on the menu?
The menu changes seasonally, please contact a member of the team to view the current menu.
What is the price?
Bistro lunch & dinner is an a la carte menu, priced per item, with beverages available to purchase.
What if I have only limited time for lunch or dinner?
We understand the nature of your visit may be for a business meeting and therefore a limited amount of time could apply. Should you wish to pre-order, we’d be happy to accommodate this. Please contact a member of the team who will be able to forward you a menu and instructions on how to pre-order.
If you would like more information on our conference packages or would like to arrange a site inspection call us.
03 5227 3000
Request a Conference Kit
Fill in your details below and we’ll send you a copy of our conference kit direct to your email.