Merivale to provide catering for SCG and Sydney Football Stadium
Food and beverage options will receive an upgrade at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the new Sydney Football Stadium, with Merivale winning the tender to provide catering for both venues.
The Justin Hemmes-led hospitality group has promised some fine dining alongside standard stadium food which fans expect, with options to remain at all price points.
Following an extensive competitive tender process, Merivale will become the exclusive hospitality experience partner of the SCG and SFS precinct just in time for summer, starting with the BBL season-opener between the Sixers and Stars on December 5.
Merivale will be the first in-house hospitality partner of the Sydney Football Stadium when it opens in the second half of 2022. The initial term is almost six years – through until September 2027. The group is set to employ more than 1000 staff across both venues.
Sydney’s bar king beat bids from familiar names, including Bourke Street Bakery, Flying Fish and Chips, and a bidder with links to celebrity chef Matt Moran, as well as Stadium Australia’s catering provider VenuesLive and Delaware North, which has operated concessions and premium dining at the SCG since 2010.
The partnership will see Merivale’s celebrated executive chefs Danielle Alvarez (Fred’s), Jordan Toft (mimi’s, Bert’s Bar & Brasserie), Dan Hong (Ms.G’s, Mr. Wong), Mike Eggert (Totti’s), Ben Greeno (The Paddington, Hotel Centennial) and Vincenzo Biondini (Vinnie’s Pizza) bring their expertise into a stadium setting under the leadership of CEO Justin Hemmes, Group Operations Manager (Events) Debbie Higgins and senior talent across the business including Franck Moreau MS and Sam Egerton.
Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes said Merivale will bring Sydney’s most popular bar and restaurant brands to the city’s most celebrated sporting venues.
“In partnering with Venues NSW, we will strive to provide the most enjoyable and exciting experience to the people of NSW and to all guests of the SCG and the new SFS; food and beverage forms an integral part of the overall experience, and we look forward to delivering on all occasions,” Hemmes said.
“This is an incredible and truly unique opportunity for Merivale; we are humbled to be a part of Sydney’s sporting and entertainment history. I want to sincerely thank Venues NSW for sharing our vision. This new partnership will see us bring together Merivale's wonderful talent pool, diverse restaurant brands, quality service and inherent love of Sydney to help deliver a world-class experience to every person who steps into the stadium.”
Some of the new fine dining offerings include: The Pavilion – Coogee Pavilion-inspired outlets; Bistro 1886 – Felix-inspired restaurant in the Members Pavilion; Smokehouse – Sports Bar for the casual fan serving craft beer and Papi Chulo smoked dishes; and Dan Hong’s (chef of Mr Wong, Ms G’s and Queen Chow) famous spring rolls.
Alongside the premium food and beverage offerings, fans will still be able to purchase hot chips for $5, a hot dog for $5, meat pie for $5.50 and a water or coke for $4.50.
Standard beers such as VB and Carlton Draught will available at bars for $9 a can, and punters can expect to pay $10.20 for a schooner of Tooheys New or Reschs.
SCG and Venues NSW Chief Executive Officer Kerrie Mather said preparations are in full swing for The Ashes New Year’s Test match in January 2022, the largest annual sporting event on the NSW calendar.
“This is a transformational moment for our precinct and I am so excited about this new partnership with Merivale. I know they will offer our customers, members, sporting and entertainment partners the highest quality food and drink this city has to offer.
“When Merivale brings the best from its amazing collection of venues, we will set a new benchmark in live experiences.”
It’s hoped the new partnership will deliver an offering focused on quality, variety, value for money and ease and speed of service at the Moore Park venues.
