To welcome in the ‘Year of the Snake’ a collective of industry experts – Sydney Town Hall, Restaurant Associates and Decorative Events & Exhibitions hosted two nights of oriental elegance. An intimate number of guests were treated to culinary decadence and cultural festivity.
The Vestibule was styled and decorated by Decorative Events & Exhibitions and was exquisitely transformed into an oriental haven.
The night began amongst the Snake, Snake, Snake Contemporary Chinese Art Exhibition held in the Lower Town Hall, which was installed by the team at Decorative Events & Exhibitions several weeks earlier. After a selection of Asian inspired cocktails and dumplings, traditional dragon dancers lead guests into the Centennial Hall & Vestibule where the night’s festivities continued.
Guests dined under a sky of suspended rice paper parasols, cream wire lanterns, bamboo cloches and over 2km of red satin ribbon lengths creating a dramatic setting.
Under the ceiling theatrics a spectacular long table was dressed in an eclectic and contemporary mix of oriental decor such as ornate gold fans, bamboo cages, rope lobster pots and clusters of teapots bursting with bold red dahlias. To match guests were seated on DE&E’s newly acquired Natural Timber Havana Chair which received an enthusiastic response by those in attendance.
The menu, a six course feast designed by Restaurant Associates general manager for RA Culinary – Sebastien Lutaud. Inspired by a recent trip to Beijing, each course was marked with a ‘Gong’ before it was introduced along with the support of the night’s sommelier. The culinary adventure included the likes of Sea Urchin, Scallop, Lobster Sashimi, ‘Lucky Crab’ (Picked Snow Crab and Egg Custard), house made Beijing Duck Pancakes (carved on Chinese wagons before the guests), Green Lipped Abalone with Duck Consume, just to name a few.
The evening included a six course degustation menu each course was marked with a ‘Gong’ before it was introduced.
The night’s success was a representation of the returning surge in event demand for businesses re-engaging their clients.
“We are definitely hearing a lot of positive feedback from Sydney’s Event Managers in relation to the success of their client’s recent events and more importantly their ability to re-connect with prospective business,” said Mark Magennis, managing director of Decorative Events & Exhibitions. “It’s the importance of events for client retention and acquisition initiatives as well as internal operations in the areas such as staff motivation and team building that holds such merit”.
Kellie Howard, business development manager at ID Events Australia, attended the evening and commented “Thank you so much for what was truly an amazing experience last night. From the moment we arrived, we were left guessing “what next” before finding ourselves in the most magically styled room and sitting down to a splendid six course banquet – my words don’t do it justice!”
