Melbourne & Olympic Parks’ newest venue, CENTREPIECE at Melbourne Park, has kicked off its first eight months with a bang, firmly securing its place as one of Australia’s premier events and conference destinations.

Welcoming nearly 31,800 guests to over 92 events since February 2022, CENTREPIECE has held everything from weddings, galas, valedictories, sports launches, conferences, private meetings, and intimate dinners.

Proving itself a top pick for local and national events, the Melbourne Park venue has played host to the event industry’s AIME Welcome Event, Carlton In Business luncheon, Destination Australia National Tourism Conference, SportNXT Summit, RANZCOG Scientific Symposium, and Sir Jackie Stewart Race Against Dementia Tribute Event. 

With the venue’s architectural design (shortlisted for the 2022 Victorian Architecture Awards) paying homage to native Australian landscapes, its supplier approach builds on this theme, with a local focus at the heart of the CENTREPIECE concept.

The food menu, curated by culinary leader and Executive Chef of Delaware North, Asif Mamun, highlights locally sourced seasonal produce, driven by a paddock-to-plate philosophy.

“Our vision for CENTREPIECE plays on the strengths of its location. It is distinctively Melbourne, and the food is intrinsically linked to place —physically, culturally and emotionally. Our food is at the heart and centre of the hospitality experience we provide,” said Mamun. 

“Food brings people together, and in Melbourne, this means that our food is in the centre of a culturally-diverse place, and we reference this, not just through a careful assortment of cuisine, but also through our local produce.”

Since opening, the venue has exemplified its commitment to a sustainable, Victoria-first approach, serving up over 19,500 glasses of Victorian wine, 8,920 bottles of Victorian beer, almost 18,000 Industry Beans coffees (with over 1,500 litres of Victorian milk), and supporting over thirty Victorian suppliers.

The venue’s paddock-to-plate philosophy sees produce, meat, and dairy hailing from Victoria’s famous farming regions, including Gippsland and the Yarra Valley, ensuring the freshest ingredients and artisan products on offer.

“Partnering with brands and producers who have a rich local heritage is a key pillar of our values and homegrown focus,” said Melbourne & Olympic Park’s Head of Food and Beverage, Rachel Dolan.

“We knew we wanted to create a venue synonymous with our location and offer up event experiences that embody all the things that make Victoria and Australia great.”   

A Victoria-first approach to design also underpins the venue — the colours and materials selected for the interior of CENTREPIECE chosen to celebrate Victoria’s unique, natural landscape and its table setting, glassware and crockery partners are all based in the State.

CENTREPIECE has worked to curate a space where guests can experience the best of Victoria, delivering spectacular events that seek to provide an immersive and inherently local hospitality experience. 

Suppliers include:

• St David Dairy
• Industry Beans
• Moon Dog
• CAPI
• Brown Brothers
• Mitchelton Wines
• Melbourne Rooftop Honey
• Wongarra Black Truffle
• Morning Peninsula Strawberries
• Gippsland Wagyu
• Hazeldene Chicken Farm
• Mt Zero – Olives
• Meredith Dairy
• Infinity Blue
• Copper Island Oysters