At the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC), food is an integral part of the event experience. With all catering services managed by our in-house team, we offer a tailored and flexible approach for conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, meetings and social events.
Whether you’re organising a corporate function or a special celebration, our catering options are designed to support your event with quality, consistency and attention to detail. We work closely with event organisers to understand the event flow, guest profile and dietary requirements to deliver food that complements the experience from start to finish. Here’s what sets event catering at the Gold Coast’s premier venue apart.
Catering Services Available at GCCEC
All catering at GCCEC is managed by our experienced in-house team. This gives organisers confidence in both the quality and reliability of service. Our team prepares and delivers food directly from the venue’s commercial kitchen, located on site. This allows for seamless coordination with event timings, dietary requirements and floor layouts.
Catering services include:
- Plated meals for seated events such as gala dinners or awards nights
- Buffet-style service for larger groups or casual settings
- Cocktail receptions, including canapés and bite-sized items for networking functions
- Break catering for conferences and meetings with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea options
- Custom food stations available by arrangement for themed events
- Licensed beverage service, including full bar setup and beverage packages
Our team supports a range of event sizes, from small meetings to large exhibitions, with catering options that are logistically sound and carefully timed. Each offering is designed to align with your program and floorplan.
Menu Highlights and Dietary Flexibility
We believe exceptional event catering should offer variety, flavour and inclusivity. Our culinary team designs menus that suit a wide range of guest preferences and dietary requirements without compromising quality.
Menus include:
- Corporate catering options such as working lunches and delegate packages for conferences
- Cocktail menus for stand-up functions and launch events
- Formal plated menus for dinners and banquets
- Morning and afternoon tea selections featuring sweet and savoury items
- Customisable menus developed in consultation with the client
When it comes to dietary catering options, our kitchen team handles requests with precision and care. Dishes are clearly labelled and prepared with food safety in mind. Our catering process includes early collection of guest dietary information, allowing us to prepare suitable alternatives that reflect the same quality as the main menu. The goal is to make every guest feel welcome, included and well-fed.
Seasonal Menus and Local Ingredients
One of the defining features of GCCEC’s catering is our commitment to using seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. This not only supports regional producers but also ensures every menu delivers peak freshness and flavour.
Our menus change annually and draw on what’s best from Southeast Queensland. In spring, you might see dishes featuring local prawns, micro herbs and tropical fruits. In cooler months, menus shift toward heartier options like braised meats, root vegetables and rich sauces made with local wines.
We partner with local fruit and vegetable growers, seafood suppliers, bakeries and roasters whenever possible. This approach contributes to more sustainable food practices and reflects the Gold Coast’s distinct culinary identity. Clients who value sustainability and provenance often request locally inspired menus. Our team is always happy to work within this brief.
If you’re planning a themed or concept-driven event, seasonal ingredients can be adapted to suit the atmosphere, visual presentation and tone of your program.
Client Feedback and Catering Satisfaction
GCCEC regularly receives positive feedback about its catering services through post-event surveys and direct correspondence with organisers. While individual experiences may vary, catering is often highlighted as a valued part of the event offering.
Common feedback themes include:
- High satisfaction with the freshness and presentation of meals
- Appreciation for the range of options available for different event formats
- Recognition of the venue’s flexibility with dietary requests
- Praise for efficient service during high-volume events
Organisers consistently mention how seamless the catering experience feels, particularly during tightly scheduled programs or large-scale events where timing is critical. Our catering and floor teams work hand in hand with your event planner to ensure service flows smoothly and discreetly with minimal disruption to your agenda. This collaboration is one of the reasons catering remains a highlight in post-event reports.
In-House Expertise and Commercial-Grade Facilities
One of the key advantages of hosting your event at GCCEC is access to an experienced culinary team working within a purpose-built environment. The Centre’s 13 commercial kitchens are equipped to handle catering for events ranging from small corporate meetings to seated functions of over 3,000 guests.
Because all food is prepared on site, the kitchen team can maintain quality control, respond quickly to changes and deliver fresh food to multiple spaces across the venue simultaneously. This is particularly important for large exhibitions or conferences with staggered break times.
GCCEC’s Executive Chef and culinary leadership team bring deep experience in high-volume and premium event catering. Menus are designed with large-scale execution in mind and food presentation is carefully planned to ensure consistency no matter the guest count.
This level of infrastructure and expertise means your event’s catering is managed efficiently and professionally from the kitchen to the table.
Explore premium catering options from GCCEC
At GCCEC, catering is handled by professionals who understand the needs of events held within a large-scale modern venue. With full commercial kitchen facilities on site, diverse menu packages and a strong focus on quality and flexibility, our catering offering is designed to complement every event type.
We work closely with you from concept to delivery, ensuring that your menu aligns with your event vision, audience profile and schedule. Whether you need plated service for a formal dinner or efficient break catering for a fast-paced conference, our team is ready to support you.
Learn more about our catering services or get in touch to start planning today.