There’s something special about a smaller corporate event.
Conversations flow more easily, connections feel more meaningful and the setting doesn’t need to be extravagant, just considered. Add delicious, well-presented food into the mix and you’ve got an experience your team, clients or guests will genuinely remember.
At Waurn Ponds Estate, we love working with businesses to create events that feel relaxed yet elevated and create a memorable experience for our guests. Whether it’s a seated boardroom dinner, an alfresco lunch in the Kitchen Garden, or cocktails on the terrace, our catering is designed to suit the style, mood and season.
If you’re looking for a few creative catering ideas for your next small corporate gathering, here are some of our favourites.
Private Banquets: Intimate Dining, Elevated
Host a small banquet in either the Bistro or the Barrabool space, which can be divided with a floor-to-ceiling partition for a more intimate setting. These areas provide the ideal mix of privacy and ambiance, the perfect backdrop for team celebrations or client dinners.
Picture this: your guests seated at a long, beautifully dressed table, enjoying a thoughtfully curated three-course meal paired with local wines. With low lighting and the soft hum of conversation, it’s a sophisticated way to connect at the end of a conference or business meeting.
Garden Grazing: Relaxed Dining in Our Kitchen Garden
For a relaxed, organic atmosphere, host your gathering in our Kitchen Garden – a hidden gem at the Estate. This leafy, open-air space is ideal for grazing tables, long lunches, or twilight cocktail parties and is sure to leavea lasting impression.
Our grazing experiences are as much about presentation as they are about taste. Think local cheeses and charcuterie selections, house olives and pickles, fresh fruits, nuts and crackers, all artfully styled with a garden-to-plate feel.
Our Kitchen Garden space is ideal for an informal team lunch or end-of-day catch-up, with the option to add roaming drinks service or even a live, interactive food station to elevate the experience. It’s slow, seasonal dining at its best.
Cocktails and Canapés on the Terrace
The Bistro and Pool Terraces are made for golden hour gatherings. Host a small cocktail party overlooking our landscaped grounds or infinity pool with roving canapés, cheese boards, and a signature drinks menu designed just for your event.
From sliders and bao buns to mini tartlets and skewers, substantial canapes let you showcase variety while keeping the atmosphere light and social.
What about a creative touch? Why not let us set up a themed interactive feasting station — like a paella bar or a Mexican feast.
Strategy Brunches & Morning Kick-Offs
Not all great small corporate gatherings happen after 5pm. Morning events are an increasingly popular option, especially for planning sessions, creative brainstorms, or leadership catchups.
Serve a bright, nourishing brunch with barista coffee, fresh juices, chia pots, egg sliders, and pastries. It’s a calm, energising way to set the tone for a stress-free and productive day.
Catering Crafted by Waurn Ponds Estate
At Waurn Ponds Estate, we believe food should be an experience, not just an item on the menu. Our events team works closely with every client to create tailored options that suit your group size, dietary requirements, and event goals. We use fresh, seasonal ingredients and proudly support local producers.
From elegant plated meals to relaxed grazing tables and interactive feasting stations, we bring creativity and care to every bite.
Why Small Events Shine at Waurn Ponds Estate
Small-scale doesn’t mean small impact. With flexible venue spaces like the Terraces, Kitchen Garden, The Bistro and Barrabool space, Waurn Ponds Estate offers the perfect backdrop for creative, customised corporate events.
Our team is here to help you plan an event that’s equal parts productive and memorable, backed by premium catering and seamless service.
