Venues NSW announces Gema Group as new catering contractor at Sydney's Accor and CommBank Stadium

NSW venues management agency Venues NSW has today announced that Gema Group has secured the catering contracts for Sydney's Accor and CommBank Stadium, replacing current contractor VenuesLive!

Western Sydney-based Gema Group won the contract following an extensive competitive tender process run under the NSW Government procurement framework.

Announcing the change, NSW Minister for Sport and Small Business, Steve Kamper advised “this is a great announcement that will not only highlight the flavours of Western Sydney, it will create jobs and support many small to medium family-owned businesses, like the legendary El Jannah.”

Venues NSW Chief Executive, Kerrie Mather added “we’re incredibly excited to partner with Gema Group who will revolutionise the event experience for the millions of fans who visit Accor Stadium and CommBank Stadium.

We will be giving fans the ultimate choice of cuisine; reflecting the diverse communities who attend our events and Sydney’s richness of culture.”

The Gema Group has considerable major event experience in Australia across Formula 1® Australian Grand Prix, Repco Supercars Championship, Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix and LIV Golf. Gema Group also has strong stadium experience and is in-house at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville, Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, GIO Stadium in Canberra, and both 4 Pines and PointsBet Stadiums in Sydney.

The change will see the majority of produce being sourced locally bringing a fresh approach to stadium sustainability and innovation. Fans will enjoy self-check-out service, in-seat delivery, and Draft Top, which removes the lid from cans to minimise single use plastics.

More innovative measures will be introduced from 2024.

It will also see a number of popular restaurant brands available for patrons at Accor Stadium and CommBank Stadium, including:

Al Aseel: Traditional Lebanese cuisine which started in Greenacre and now has seven restaurants with a significant presence in western Sydney.

Ribs & Burgers, The Meat and Wine Co., and Five Guys will be brought to both venues by Seagrass Boutique Hospitality Group. Global burger chain, Five Guys, opened its first Australian store in Penrith in 2021. This is the first time Five Guys will be available in a stadium anywhere in the world.

El Jannah: Lebanese-style charcoal chicken; flavours born in Granville 25 years ago.

Sushi Hub: Japanese sushi and sashimi. The Sushi Hub story began in Cabramatta and has grown to a 100-outlet network.

Roll’d: Vietnamese rolls and rice-paper rolls served fresh and fast, a national favourite born in Melbourne in 2012.

Oakberry: Brazilian acai bowls, the number one acai brand in the world.

In addition to these famous brands will be reimagined stadium favourites, including hot dogs, hot chips, pies, rice bowls, tacos, nachos, gozleme, fish and chips, souvlaki, falafel, pizza by the slice, plant-based burgers, among other delicious items. Food trucks and carts will also operate for special events.

At Accor Stadium, the two terraces will be transformed into event day destinations, with Ribs & Burgers and award-winning Lebanese restaurant Al Aseel reimagining these spaces, serving a mix of their favourite dishes in the stadium setting for the first time.

Accor Stadium members will enjoy a renewed dining and bar experience, with The Meat and Wine Co., a unique African-inspired steakhouse, Ribs & Burgers, and Al Aseel available.

For selected major events at Accor Stadium, Crown Sydney will bring to life a premium hospitality experience through a unique, high-quality offering with one of their most popular restaurants, Nobu.

As part of a major Event Chef Series, Accor Stadium will see Spanish-Australian chef Miguel Maestre, French-Australian chef and restaurateur Manu Feildel and award-winning pastry chef Anna Polyviou provide bespoke menus for major event and non-match day packages.

Team colours, logos and marquee players will also be displayed across food and beverage packaging, ensuring the ultimate home ground advantage.

Welcoming the contract win, Gema Group Managing Director, Paul Valenti noted “we’re bringing the best of western Sydney’s diverse food and wine culture into NSW’s major venues.

“We look forward to giving the millions of people who attend sporting and entertainment events the ultimate taste of Sydney.”

The new catering arrangements are also believed to Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium and Wollongong’s WIN Stadium and Entertainment Centre.

The change follows Venues NSW also being handed the overall management of Sydney's Accor and CommBank Stadiums by the NSW Government, replacing current contractor VenuesLive.

Image: Team members from Venues NSW and the Gema Group, with Venues NSW Chief Executive Kerrie Mather and Gema Group Managing Director Paul Valenti at centre.