Event Catering - The Wingala Chef Way

At The Wingala Chef, creating memorable food experiences is not just our business, it’s our passion. We take immense pride in delivering high quality, personalised event catering solutions that we tailor entirely to your specific tastes and preferences.

Dining table set for a big event

Everything starts with you

Your first consultation with us is a vital – and exciting – moment of discovery. We have a blank canvas on which to paint a technicolour picture of how the food and presentation will look and taste for your event.

Every customer, every party, is different. But one thing that is consistent is that the first conversation is about you, not us.

Tell us all about yourself, what you want to achieve from your event and what part the food needs to play.

Using that starting point, we can craft the ideal menu for you, whether that is a grand multi-course family occasion or the perfect picnic box for two. The important thing is that we start with what you want and work from there, rather than just listing limited options for you to pick from.

High quality, handcrafted menus

At The Wingala Chef we put an emphasis on locally sourced food and handmade dishes, right down to sauces and dips. Extensive experience in the area means our chefs know where to find the best ingredients and when.

More than 90 per cent of the food we serve is prepared entirely from scratch, ensuring freshness, quality and a uniqueness on every plate.

Our customers are discerning and knowledgeable about their food and we enjoy consistently meeting their high standards.

Group of people having a toast in an event

The gift of time, right when it matters most

We know that people today are time poor and under pressure, and that there are a whole host of demands on your time when organising and hosting an event.

The Wingala Chef takes care of the entire culinary requirements, allowing you to focus on the real business of entertaining, exploring, enjoying time with friends and family or networking in a business setting.

Our team will take care of everything – planning, sourcing ingredients, setting up a cooking space, the crockery and serving ware, and staff to serve and clean up.

With The Wingala Chef, you are not just buying a great food experience, but precious time, too.

Waiter carrying plates with meat dish on some festive event

A network of highly trained staff with a local focus

The Wingala Chef has a world view when it comes to menu options and food trends, but a decidedly local flavour in terms of personality and a sense of place.

Owner Lauren has worked extensively across Northern Sydney for over two decades and now draws on an unrivalled network of staff and suppliers who bring the same passion and dedication to everything they do.

Each member of staff, whether cooking or serving, is both highly trained and empowered to understand in intimate detail the menu selection and the thinking behind it. It’s another way in which we ensure every step of the journey with us meets your specific needs.

Woman preparing the food at the counter

The story behind The Wingala Chef

When Northern Beaches chef Lauren Hannam created The Wingala Chef, it was the natural next step on a lifetime’s catering journey. One that began in the childhood home of a family for whom cooking and eating were always the centre of any celebration.

Entering commercial kitchens while still at high school, Lauren has since worked at – and run – some of North Sydney’s most celebrated restaurant kitchens. She became a sous-chef at Le Kiosk, Manly, when still a fourth year apprentice; head chef before she was even 23 years old.

It was a huge responsibility at such a young age. It not only sharpened her skills, but also embedded her in a network of culinary professionals that The Wingala Chef now draws on.

Her talent then took her to French Steakhouse La Grillade, Crows Nest and after that Bluewater Cafe on Manly’s beach front.

But what stands out most when meeting Lauren is not just her enviable culinary education and impressive resume, but her burning passion for the craft of producing wonderful menus and delicious food (so much so that family holidays overseas are never complete until she has taken a local cooking class to better understand local flavours and techniques).

By harnessing both to create The Wingala Chef, Lauren has managed to draw on all of her experience and technical and professional qualities while retaining an intimate, personal outlook that treats your party like one of her own family, back when she herself fell in love with the art of cooking.

Hands of a woman preparing the buffet table

Our values are on view every day

The Wingala Chef was founded on core principles that Lauren has held dear throughout her career and that now run through everything we do. And, most importantly, how we interact with customers, staff, suppliers and anyone we work with or for.

Those principles include an unrivalled work ethic, loyalty, reliability and a sense of responsibility, especially when trusted with being part of your significant event.

But above all else, we take pride in delivering on our promises and in our commitment to the highest quality. Nothing gives us more satisfaction than walking away from a successful event, packed up and cleaning complete, as our satisfied customers settle down with another bottle of wine to talk and laugh long into the night.

A partner who cares about your occasion as much as you do

We are committed to creating fresh, innovative menus to serve the event catering needs of Sydney’s Northern Beaches. And we would be excited and honoured to be part of putting on your dinner party or large function, or hosting an intimate picnic.

Get in touch for a friendly first consultation to discuss how we can help elevate your next event to your most memorable yet.

Our Catering Services

We provide a complete, comprehensive event catering package designed around your individual requirements, from intimate picnic boxes to special events for 100 or more guests.

Large Events

Take the stress out of large event catering for big family celebrations or corporate functions and enjoy the freedom to spend more time with your guests.

Intimate Functions

Our tailored, handmade approach makes small event catering for intimate celebrations feel indulgent, with attention to detail married with flexibility and value.

Picnic & Grazing Boxes

Enjoy the luxury of great food while on the move or at your favourite outdoor spot, with every hamper or grazing box designed and built just for you.

Our wedding food was colourful, bright and absolutely delicious! Everything we imagined and more.” – Kate Bullock

Looking for a stress-free event?

Contact us to book your end-to-end catering services, for a seamless party experience.