Sports fans will experience enhanced culinary options at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) following the new partnership between the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), manager of the MCG, and Delaware North.
Iconic Melbourne chef Guy Grossi, from the beloved Grossi Florentino restaurant, brings his exceptional food and service to the Melbourne Cricket Club Committee Room restaurant during the lunch service on non-event days.The Committee Room by Grossi will see Guy Grossi create an exclusive menu and experience for the MCC Committee Room on non-event days, where members and, for the first time, non-members will be able to reserve a table for lunch.
In an exciting extension, an additional Guy Grossi curated menu will also be available to those who book functions or conferences across the MCG’s event spaces.
While Alejandro Saravia of Farmer’s Daughters joins the MCG ranks by bringing his love of Victorian produce to the iconic MCC Long Room.
Much loved Melbourne brands Royal Stacks, Gami Chicken and SPQR Pizza will then bring a distinct Melbourne culinary flavour to the MCG on match days. Fans will be spoiled for choice with traditional favourites available alongside some of Melbourne’s finest culinary producers.
Guy Grossi said:
“I am deeply honoured and excited to have the opportunity to overlay my family’s food and hospitality at the iconic Committee Room at the MCC. Bringing a touch of Grossi to this legendary room overlooking the hallowed Ground at the MCG is a dream come true and one which I am immensely humbled by.”
Alejandro Saravia said:
“The MCG is the most iconic landmark in Melbourne and also the heart of Victoria’s passion for sport and events, so I am so proud to bring my passion and culinary journey of showcasing this state’s incredible produce to the Long Room at the MCG. I can’t wait to share the stories and ingredients of this state’s amazing farmers, growers, producers, winemakers and distillers at this iconic destination.”
Royal Stacks Founder Dani Zeini said: “Royal Stacks is Melbourne owned and operated and we are thrilled to bring our ‘Royal’ treatment to the MCG ahead of the 2022 AFL Premiership Season. To be part of Melbourne’s hospitality revival at the MCG is truly special to us. Now is the time to shine a light on our much-loved food culture, and a big shout out goes to the Melbourne Cricket Club and Delaware North for supporting us.
“There is nothing more exciting than seeing someone eating a Royal Stacks burger along the boundary line watching a team they love. Here’s to kicking off 2022 at the MCG, we cannot wait to welcome our first customers.”
Melbourne Cricket Club General Manager of Commercial Operations and Partnerships Jennifer Watt said:
“The MCC’s partnership with Delaware North sees the best of Melbourne’s food scene brought into the MCG, creating the perfect marriage between the city’s two loves – sport and food.
“We’re ecstatic to welcome Guy Grossi, Alejandro Saravia, Royal Stacks, Gami Chicken and SPQR Pizza into the MCG family.
“Their exceptional food offerings will be available across non-event and match days, providing all visitors to the MCG with the greatest range of options possible. From vegetarian, halal and kosher options to the traditional fan favourites to fine dining.
“The MCG is the people’s ground and we’ve ensured everyone will have access to eat something that they’ll truly love.”
Delaware North Australia Managing Director Gary Brown said: "Delaware North is thrilled to be partnering with the MCC. We look forward to delivering exemplary hospitality experiences to visitors to the MCG, and to providing them with a taste of Melbourne at this iconic location."
About the new MCG food offerings:
Guy Grossi is a devoted chef and restaurateur. He is the owner of Grossi Restaurants including Grossi Florentino, Merchant Osteria Veneta, Ombra Salumi Bar, Arlechin Food and Wine Bar, Pezzo and Garum Perth. Recognised as one of the country's leading authorities on Italian food, he has been sought after to train and mentor within the industry and evoke thinking around the future of food and hospitality. Guy is a recent Fellow of the International Specialised Skills Institute and his passions lie within his cooking and sourcing pure ingredients prepared with integrity. Guy is driven to share his knowledge and experiences through his bestselling books: Love Italy, Recipes From My Mother's Kitchen, My Italian Heart and Grossi Florentino – Secrets and Recipes.
http://www.grossi.com.au/
Chef Alejandro Saravia is widely credited with introducing Peruvian cuisine to Australia’s food culture. His passion for authentic food made with love, is combined with his wealth of experience gained through cooking in world-class kitchens across three continents. Whilst championing the local produce of Victoria’s regions through pop-up events and culinary collaborations in his role as the Gippsland Food and Drinks Ambassador, Alejandro has explored Victoria, spending time with the farmers, the growers, the producers and the makers absorbing their passion and knowledge. Alejandro’s culinary philosophy is one of fresh seasonal produce that is inspired by Victoria and tells the stories of its seasons, people and produce. In 2021 Alejandro launched Farmer’s Daughters at 80 Collins, creating a cultural and gastronomic embassy in the CBD which showcases the diversity of the Gippsland region in a true farm to table experience over three levels.
https://www.farmersdaughters.com.au/
Founder, Dani Zeini has transformed Melbourne’s burger culture which all began with a secret burger menu at Dandenong Pavilion, followed by the opening of Grand Trailer Park Taverna and Truck Stop Deluxe. In 2016, Royal Stacks was born. The burger empire presents a unique take on classic fast-food Australians have enjoyed for years. Royal Stacks currently has six restaurants across Melbourne including Collins Street, Chadstone, Brunswick, Moorabbin, Melbourne Emporium and now at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The burgers are freshly minced daily from pasture fed, 100% Australian, GMO-free beef, and the menu offers vegetarian and Halal options.
To get amongst the burger action follow Royal Stacks on:
- Website: https://www.royalstacks.com.au/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/royalstacksau/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalstacksau/
Gami Chicken
Gami Chicken is one of Australia’s fastest growing specialty food retail brands. So much so that during the depths of lockdown in 2020, Gami opened 8 new stores!
Gami Chicken celebrates the Korean ‘Chimaek’ culture – where Mumma’s fried chicken recipe is meant for sharing with friends over a beer. Is there a better match for game day?
SPQR Pizza
SPQR Pizza is dripping in Melbourne street credibility: their brand is pizza x art x music.
They partner with Melbourne’s finest up and coming street artists like DREZ and CheCheChe, as well as aspiring DJs and chefs to create a cultural melting pot that is distinctly Melbourne.
SPQR are launching SPQR Stadio at the MCG; an express version of their highly successful Naples-style sourdough pizza’s with a new logo that blends their love of music (vinyl) and the ‘colosseum’ that is the MCG.
About MCG Hospitality
A suite of unforgettable experiences are also available at the MCG with thanks to Delaware North.
As the MCG is much more than a stadium, it can be activated to become the perfect backdrop to a family function or business conference.
Presenting as MCG Events, the team at Delaware North can create cutting edge propositions for conferences and exhibitions that encourage movement, incorporate technology and deliver innovative catering solutions. All whilst celebrating to the history of the MCG precinct. From curating bespoke experiences in small spaces, large scale function rooms and corporate suites, MCG Events will be able to leverage the partner chefs to deliver a quintessential Melbourne experience at the MCG.
To receive more information about hosting an event at the MCG, enquiries can be made by visiting www.mcgevents.com.au.
About Delaware North
Delaware North is a global leader in the hospitality and entertainment industry. The company annually serves more than a half-billion guests across four continents, including at high-profile sports venues, airports, national and state parks, restaurants, resorts, hotels and casinos. Building on more than a century of enduring partnerships and a commitment to local communities and sustainability, Delaware North’s vision is to delight guests by creating the world’s best experiences today while reimagining tomorrow.