Aria Awards

Sara Flaksbard

This was a masterclass in event catering and project management. Traditionally a cocktail event, we were tasked with elevating the event to a full-scale, elegant, seated dinner. Adhering to our Foodified™ philosophy, we set new standards for large-scale event catering, ensuring an unforgettable experience for over 1300 guests, including 50 artists, media, crew, and 100 fans. Some attendees declared it “the best ARIAs ever.”

Our innovative, world-class menu aligned perfectly with the client’s brand objectives and high-profile guest expectations. Our flawless execution was characterised by: service over 10 hours, utilisation of 2,925m² of venue spaces, main dining service for 130 tables, 132 dietary requirements, 3,600 champagnes served (1,600 in the first hour), 2,967 beers and 2,560 glasses of wine poured. In addition, effective staff and resource allocation across nine unique service zones, including red carpet cocktails, welcome drinks, a 1,360-person seated dinner and an after-party featuring a Red Rooster burger tower.

Navigating an 18-minute service window dictated by live broadcast constraints, we streamlined food preparation with immaculately planned kitchen layout and customised procurement, streamlined chef plating reducing actions per dish and a 1:15 staff-to-guest ratio for maximum speed.  

With five months of meticulous planning, including multiple site inspections and cross-functional meetings, this ensured flawless execution. We employed advanced technology such as live TV screens in the outdoor kitchen for real-time updates, earpieces for communication, and precise coordination with TV production. Stakeholder management was key, balancing sponsor obligations with event logistics. This included branded service elements, precise champagne delivery for winning artists, and Red Rooster-uniformed chefs at the after-party. 

Transforming the ARIAs into a seated dinner was a bold move that paid off, elevating the event’s prestige. The Music Network described it as “the best ARIAs I’ve attended.”