Healesville Races
Catering Packages

2020-2021 racing season

essential catering and events

Special moments deserve to be celebrated with style.

• Exceptional service.
• Amazing flavours.
• Magic. Memories.

essential catering and events are your race day professionals.

Truly personalised service is the difference between a good event and a great one.

We understand that every function is unique, whether you are hosting an event for your clients or a social picnic catching up with friends, you can be assured of our attention to detail, exceptional food and exemplary service will be provided.

Our mouth-watering menu choices will delight the heartiest of appetites, ensuring your race day is one that you and your guests will long remember. With our unmatched flexibility we can tailor a personalised menu just for you!

Our packages are all inclusive of the following:

• Chefs, waiters and event managers
• Mobile kitchens & equipment
• Crockery, cutlery, buffet ware
• Glassware & barware for booked beverage packages
• Travel fee

Please note our drop off gourmet platter hampers do not include any of the above services

Please contact our sales team to discuss your upcoming day at the Healesville picnic races.

beverage packages

 Inclusions | Bar person, glassware, refrigeration, barware, ice, service table & cloths

Your Essentials

4 hours $36.50 per person

The Habitat Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Northern Vic
Waterstone Bridge Shiraz, King Valley
Public Brewery 100 Acres Pale Ale, Public Brewery Feather Weight Light
Soft drink and water

^*Add sparkling wine to the package @ $5 per head
Coldstone Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay, King Valley

Raise the Bar

4 hours $46.50 per person

Light beer, soft drink, orange juice, sparkling water and water

Beer and cider – Select 2 to serve
Public Brewery 100 Acres Pale Ale, Corona, Asahi Super Dry, Public Brewery Little India Session IPA, Public Brewery Red Falcon American Red, Empire Apple Cider

Sparkling & White varieties – Select 2 to serve
Paul Louis Blanc de Blancs Sparkling, Loire, France
Pizzini Prosecco, King Valley, Vic
Coldstone Sparkling Pinot Chardonnay, King Valley, Vic
Yering Station Village Chardonnay, Yarra Valley, Vic
Pizzini Pinot Grigio, King Valley, Vic
Mount Vernon Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, NZ

^*Add Premium French Champagne to the package @ $23 per head
Piper-Heidsieck Brut Champagne or Mumm

Red varieties – Select 1 to serve
Yering Station Village Shiraz Viognier, Yarra Valley, Vic
Xanadu DJL Rose, Margaret River, WA
Yering Farm, Farmyard Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Vic
Pizzini Sangiovese, King Valley, Vic
Bulong Estate Cabernet Merlot, Yarra Valley, Vic
Reschke ‘Rufus’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, SA
Menus represent a sample of package selections. If these selections are not available an equivalent or improved product will be offered

Pricing based on minimum numbers of 40 people; surcharges apply for smaller groups. 

finger food menu

The Finger Food Menu offers flexible options perfect for any occasion ranging from a formal affair or casual get together.

Cold selections

Sage pikelet, gorgonzola & honey roasted pears (v) (gf)
Yarra Valley Persian fetta tart, caramelised onion & thyme (v)
Sushi| Teriyaki chicken| Seaweed salad (v)|Tofu & vegetable (vg)(v), with soy dressing & wasabi (gf)
Chicken Caesar tart, cos, crisp bacon, parmesan spiked mayo
Charred beef, Grant’s crust brioche, herb mayo
Bruschetta cone, Roma, onion & basil, balsamic deglaze (vg)
Potato & chive hash, smoked salmon, chervil, crème fraiche (gf)

Hot selections

Basil & parmesan croquettes, saffron aioli (v)
Lamb, sumac & pine nut kofta, citrus yoghurt & mint pomegranate (gf)
Prawn twister, coriander, wasabi soy mayo
Pork & fennel sausage roll, caramelised onion & tomato relish
BBQ corn & green pea fritter, tomato kasundi (vg)(gf)
Gyoza| Pork | Chicken & ginger | Vegetable (vg) with Vietnamese mint & soy dipping sauce
Essential fried chicken, panko crust & chipotle spiked mayo
Gourmet local beef pies, tomato relish
Korean BBQ chicken skewer, ponzu dressing (gf)
Spiced pumpkin, goat’s cheese pizza, sweet capsicum salsa (v)
Pork belly bao, pickled carrot, cucumber, mint, coriander & sriracha mayo

Dessert selections

Chocolate mousse cones, salted caramel shards
Strawberry tartlets, vanilla crème, mint lavender syrup
Rocky road ”stones” (gf)
Petite friands, lime cream (gf)
Raspberry Eton mess cheesecake

Substantial items

Substantial items – Add a substantial dish to your menu.  $14 per person
Dishes are served in bowls
Black sesame & wasabi crusted chicken with Asian coleslaw & soy mayo (gf)
Sliders: Slow cooked BBQ pork & apple slaw in brioche buns
Slow braised beef cheek, mustard spiked mash, parsley crust (gf)
Snapper, coconut tamarind curry, snow peas, radish, chilli sambal (gf)
Fish & chips, flathead fillets, thick cut chips, Spanish paprika mayo
Ricotta tortellini with parmesan, pumpkin, basil & Napoli (v)
Mini chicken schnitzel Turkish roll with coleslaw & herb mayonnaise
Butter chicken curry served with basmati rice, tomato & snake beans (gf)
Crumbed mushroom; charred vegetable salad with roasted capsicum mayonnaise (v)
Pasta” conchiglie” forest mushroom, truffle oil & pecorino(v)

(gf) gluten free (v) vegetarian (vg) vegan

Pricing Option                                     2020 | 2021

 8 Canape selections     per person (2 hour service period)                     $42.00
 10 Canape selections   per person (2 hour service period)                     $49.00

Plentiful offering          per person (3 hour service period)                      $61.50
Selection of 10 canapes and your choice of either one substantial item This package will ensure your guests are well and truly full.

Inclusions| Qualified chef, wait staff, crockery, cutlery, buffet ware as required & napkins

Pricing based on minimum numbers of 40 people.

carvery menu

Succulent roast meats, abundant artisan salads, finished with a decadent dessert buffet.

Canapés

½ hour chef’s selection of canapés on arrival, 4 pieces

Main

Meat selection-Marinated golden roasted meats
Marinated roast beef with horseradish crème (gf)
Roast pork & crackling with Yarra Valley apple sauce (gf)

Main Accompaniments
Garlic & rosemary roasted chat potatoes (gf) (vg)
Grant’s local organic sourdough rolls, served with butter

Salad Selection
Salad greens, balsamic vinaigrette, cucumber, tomato (gf)(vg)
Asian style coleslaw, wasabi soy mayonnaise (gf)(v)
Slow roasted pumpkin, sweet potato, Turkish bread salad, with mint pomegranate yoghurt (v)

Desserts

Dark chocolate mousse, salted caramel shards (gf)
Petite pavlova, lime curd (gf)

(gf) gluten free (v) vegetarian (vg) vegan

Inclusions | Qualified chef, wait staff, crockery, cutlery, buffet ware and disposable napkins.

Pricing based on minimum numbers of 40 people.

buffet menu

Modern buffet menu offering a variety of cuisines, abundant artisan salads, finished with a decadent dessert buffet.

Canapés

½ hour chef’s selection of canapés on arrival, 4 pieces

Main Buffet

-Select two hot dishes to serve
Crispy skinned salmon, green herb crust, sage and lemon butter sauce (gf)
Gourmet sausages (gf)
Herb and lemon crumbed chicken pieces with chipotle mayonnaise
Chargrilled beef, Asado style, parsley chimichurri sauce (gf)
Vegetarian paella: slow roasted capsicum ragu, paprika, green peas with parsley & roasted garlic (gf)(v)
 

Salad, vegetables and Sides

Salad greens, balsamic vinaigrette, cucumber, tomato (gf)(vg)
Slow roasted pumpkin, sweet potato, Turkish bread salad, with mint pomegranate yoghurt (v)
Garlic & rosemary roasted chat potatoes (gf) (vg)
Grant’s local organic sourdough rolls, served with butter

Desserts

Dark chocolate mousse, salted caramel shards (gf)
Petite pavlova, lime curd (gf)

(gf) gluten free (v) vegetarian (vg) vegan

Inclusions | Qualified chef, wait staff, crockery, cutlery, buffet ware and disposable napkins.

Pricing based on minimum numbers of 40 people.

street food menu

Guests mingle while we serve authentic street food inspired by iconic international dishes from around the globe!

Roaming assorted finger food Chef’s selection of 3 items

Wasabi & soy Themed hawker cart, bamboo steamer baskets & Asian lanterns
Gyoza| Pork | Chicken & ginger | Vegetable (vg) with soy ponzu
Sushi| Teriyaki chicken| Seaweed salad (v)|Tofu & vegetable (vg)(v), with soy dressing & wasabi (gf)
Bun gua bao, pork belly, shitake yakitori, pickled veg

South of the border Themed with patterned cloths, piñatas & Mexican sombreros, & ponchos
Enchiladas: Beef tomato, Spanish onion with chipotle mayonnaise | Slow braised beans, sour cream & chilli sauce (v)
Salsa: roasted corn, tomato with coriander crab, avocado & lime (vg)(gf)

Born in the USA Themed with USA stars & stripes pop up stand
Pulled pork & beef sliders served in a Grant’s organic corn roll
Mushroom slider served in a Grant’s organic roll (v)

Buon Appetito Themed red gingham cloths, pizza paddles, knotted gingham bunting squares
Anti pasta, verdure, pepitas with goats cheese (v)
Crisp salami, prosciutto chips, romesco (gf)
Chicken & eggplant parmigiana
Margherita pizzas (v)
Crumbed tortellini, basil Napoli (v)

New York deli Styled with all the glitz and glamour of the Big Apple
Mini Rueben’s
Bagels smoked salmon, cream cheese & dill
Mini hot dogs, with relish & pickles
Chicken Waldorf salad (gf)
Pretzels (v)

Aussie BBQ Fair dinkum Aussie, cricket bats, Akubra & eucalypts
Build your own
Sausages, onions & sauce(gf)
Burgers with tomato relish
Sticky chicken wings (gf)
Coleslaw (gf) (v)
White bread rolls

Toss’d Themed with retro salad bar sign, synthetic grass & planters
A choice of Beef noodle salad (gf) | Moroccan style chicken salad (gf)|Tofu & shitake mushroom with tatsoi (gf)(vg)

Old buoy Themed with heavy sailor’s ropes and cray pots
Deep fried fish and chips served with lemon wedge in cones with choice of tartar sauce, garlic aioli or tomato relish, Polenta chips available for vegetarian option

Southern fried chicken stand Gingham cloths, hessian, Southern American style
Buttermilk marinated, spicy fried chicken, hot sauce, gravy & coleslaw
Mushroom & tofu marinated in spicy sauce for vegetarian option (v)

Sweet surrender Themed with pretty pink gingham cloths, high tea stands
Macaroons| ’chou chou’ profiteroles | petite eclairs |Chocolate mousse cones
Rocky road ‘stones’(gf) | Assorted petite fours
Upgrade bravo gelato ‘bambino’ cones $4.50 upgrade per person

(gf) gluten free (v) vegetarian (vg) vegan

Pricing options                                                                                                                2020 | 2021

3 Street food stands and roaming finger food (2 hour service period)                  $59.00

4 Street food stands and roaming finger food (3 hour service period)                  $69.00

Inclusions | Qualified chef, wait staff, crockery, cutlery, buffet ware and disposable napkins.

Pricing based on minimum numbers of 80 people. Additional fees & surcharges may

apply, but vary depending upon locations & circumstances.

Gourmet Platter Selection

The following menu items are drop off only and don’t include any event staff or equipment.

                                                                                                                                                         Bakery Selection

Sandwich Platters selection 20 points (5 sandwiches)                                      $37.00
Gourmet baguettes, variety of fillings (8 baguettes)                                          $71.50
Chicken schnitzel sliders, sriracha mayo & coleslaw (8 Sliders)                       $85.80

Individual salads                                                                                                                 $10.50 ea
(Minimum order of 10 per salad, served in disposable cups)

Cambodian beef salad, gem lettuce, lime and chilli dressing (gf)
Rosemary baked chicken: pear, roquette, sherry mayo (gf)
Thyme baked salmon, cucumber, greens, dill, salad crema (gf)
Mushrooms, lemon and Mt Zero lentil salad (gf)(vg)

Savoury Platters

Yarra Valley Persian fetta tart, caramelised onion & thyme (v)                                   $99.00
Chicken Caesar tart, cos, crisp bacon, parmesan spiked mayo                                  $99.00
Potato & chive hash, smoked salmon, chervil, crème fraiche (gf)                              $99.00
Sundried tomato, basil & brie quiche (v) (30 pieces)                                                        $99.00
Anti Pasto platter to include Olives, cured meats, Mediterranean frittata,               $99.00
marinated vegetables, dips and grilled Turkish bread, serves 10-15 people
Australian Cheese Platter:  brie, vintage cheddar                                                           $99.00
Blue, dried fruits, water crackers and fruit loaf, serves 10-15
Trio of house made dips with Turkish bread platter (Serves 10)                                  $45.00
Seasonal fruit platter (Serves 10)                                                                                          $56.00

Dessert Platters – $99.00 each
Assorted fruit & chocolate muffins (30 pieces)
Freshly baked lemon scones with cream & jam (30 pieces)
Citrus Tartlets (30 pieces)

Rocky road stones (gf) (30 pieces)

(gf) gluten free (v) vegetarian (vg) vegan