Under Crown Melbourne’s management of the hospitality offerings across Flemington Racecourse, racegoers and event attendees will experience significant food and beverage enhancements.
Guillaume Brahimi is set to bring his exquisite French fine dining to the jewel in the crown of The Club Stand, The Byerley, while acclaimed chef Johnny Di Francesco will bring a delicious Italian inspired menu to diners at Straight Six from this Saturday.
Joining them is newly appointed Crown’s Executive Chef at VRC Josh Pelham and Crown Melbourne Executive Chef Kelly Jackson, who will be crafting the dining experience across The Chairman’s Club, The Terrace and other corporate and VRC member dining venues.
Plans for these premium member spaces also include elevated member experiences in collaboration with Crown’s national roster of culinary talent, such as Alessandro Pavoni of a’Mare and Ormeggio fame.
Pelham and Jackson will also create menus for the VRC’s non-race day events business, extending to weddings, parties and conferences across the venue’s 30 incredible event spaces.
Pelham brings to Flemington an impressive portfolio of local and international experience, including two-hatted Melbourne institution Matteo, London’s The Square, Scott Pickett’s Estelle, RACV’s Cape Schanck Resort, and working for international chef royalty, Thomas Kellar at The French Laundry.
Renowned chefs including Guillaume Brahimi and Johnny Di Francesco among those set to transform the culinary experience at Flemington Racecourse
General admission racegoers will also have a great range of new options to choose from with a suite of casual Crown eateries set to pop-up throughout the year including much-loved Crown Melbourne brands Merrywell Bar and Dining, San Antone and Gochi, with other retail venues honouring the race day classics alongside some exciting new menu items year round.
Not only will this partnership support over 1,500 jobs on-site, Crown and the VRC have announced a strong commitment to local suppliers as part of this deal. Between $15-20 million in goods and services will be procured each year, with over 90 per cent of those products coming from local Victorian businesses and suppliers.
In addition to the chef line-up announced today, further plans are well underway to evolve the new culinary program with additional residencies by members of Crown’s talented culinary team and line-up from right around Australia during key seasonal moments and events such as the iconic Melbourne Cup Carnival - check out our tickets and packages.
