Laissez-faire Catering secures national award for creativity and service contributions

Sydney founded and based caterer, Laissez-faire Catering, has been named National Caterer of the Year at the 2024 Australian Event Awards, a prestigious accolade celebrating the best in the events industry.

The Sydney-based caterer received the award during the event recognising exceptional creativity and service contributions over the past year.

Judged on industry excellence, innovation, and event enhancement, the award acknowledges Laissez-faire Catering’s exceptional ability to craft memorable culinary experiences. The team has earned a stellar reputation for using the finest locally sourced, seasonal, and sustainable produce, ensuring each dish is as visually stunning as it is delicious.

The judges praised Laissez-faire’s approach noting “Your ability to deliver high-quality catering solutions for large-scale and complex events is to be applauded.’

Sara Flaksbard, General Manager of Laissez-faire Catering enthused “we’re absolutely thrilled to win this award. This recognition is a testament to our incredibly passionate and dedicated team, our clients who trust us to deliver innovative food and beverage, and our suppliers who help us bring our visions to life. It’s an honour to be acknowledged by the industry we love.”

Laissez-faire’s commitment to sustainability is a cornerstone of the business. The company embraces a philosophy they call Foodified™, which represents respect for clients, producers, and the environment. This philosophy is reflected in their innovative, zero-waste events, where every part of an ingredient is utilised to adhere to 'reduce, reuse, and recycle' principles.

Over the past 12 months, they have catered for 1,569 events, managing complex logistics and delivering diverse, ethically sourced menus. A standout moment during this period was catering for a televised music industry event, serving a full-scale seated dinner for over 1,500 guests, which required meticulous planning to coordinate seamless service in an 18-minute window dictated by live broadcasts.

Flaksbard added “one of the greatest challenges of the year was meeting the brief for a zero-waste menu while maintaining impeccable taste and presentation. Our team thrives in these moments, pushing boundaries to deliver food that surprises and delights while respecting the environment.”

The caterer’s ability to accommodate various dietary requirements, provide high-quality service, and work within strict timelines has made them a preferred partner for over 30 venues across Sydney. Their success is driven by a commitment to sustainable growth and a customer-centric approach, best summed up by their company vision: “Giving customers what they want, how they want it, and when they want it.”

With a focus on collaboration, creativity, and sustainability, Laissez-faire Catering continues to set the standard for excellence in the Australian events industry.

For more on Laissez-faire Catering

Image top. Laissez faire Catering 2023 ARIA Awards Hordern Pavilion; image below: Laissez faire Catering Sapphre Project 2024 Annual Dinner