Charity & Fundraiser Event Catering in Sydney: Afternoon Tea for 120 with Inherited Cancers Australia
Some events are about more than the food. Last Sunday we had the privilege of catering an afternoon tea for 120 guests for Inherited Cancers Australia, held on Level 2 at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse in Camperdown. Inherited Cancers Australia supports people and families affected by inherited cancer, and it meant a lot to us to play a small part in bringing their community together for the afternoon.
It was also a good reminder of what charity and fundraiser event catering in Sydney really asks of a caterer: short timelines, changing numbers, a wide mix of dietary needs, and food that looks after guests without anyone having to think about it.
Short Notice, No Problem
The call came in on a Wednesday for a Sunday event. Charity and not-for-profit teams are often juggling a hundred moving parts with small teams, so the catering needs to be the one thing they can tick off and stop worrying about.
We put together an afternoon tea proposal the same afternoon, locked it in within the hour, and planned the menu, ordering and prep around the weekend. Guest numbers shifted a couple of times as late registrations came in, and we simply adjusted the order and the invoice each time. That flexibility is part of the job when you cater for fundraisers.
The Afternoon Tea Menu
The event ran from 2pm to 6pm, so we built a menu with savoury food up front and lighter sweet bites to carry guests through the afternoon. Everything was delivered boxed and beautifully presented, ready to open and serve, with the venue looking after tea and coffee.
On the menu:
- Finger sandwiches: coronation chicken (made with whole chickens we roasted and picked ourselves), egg mayonnaise with chives, cucumber and dill cream cheese, and smoked salmon with capers and dill
- Mini rolls: salami with provolone, rocket and pickled peppers, plus a vegan hummus and roasted capsicum roll
- Sausage rolls, cut to bite size, with a vegan version alongside
- Cocktail scones, topped with strawberry jam and vanilla whipped cream
- Carrot cake and banana cake, cut into neat afternoon tea squares
- Portuguese custard tarts
- Vegan and gluten-free muffins and slice
We sized everything to around five to six pieces per person, which is the sweet spot for a long afternoon event. Savoury always goes first, so we were generous there and kept the sweets balanced, so nothing went to waste.
Catering for Every Guest
Charity events bring together a broad mix of people, and the dietary list reflected that: vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten free, no pork, no red meat, and a pregnancy-safe guest who needed to avoid deli meats and anything raw or unpasteurised.
Rather than an afterthought, we built these into the menu from the start. Every dietary option was packed and clearly labelled, so guests could help themselves with confidence and the organisers didn't have to field questions on the day. After 20 years cooking on private superyachts and in villas across the Mediterranean and Indonesia, where every guest's preferences are known before they sit down, that attention to detail is second nature to us.
Delivering to a Hospital Venue on a Sunday
Hospital and healthcare venues come with their own logistics. The Lifehouse loading dock is closed on weekends, so we liaised with the event team in advance, pulled into the loading bay on Salisbury Road and came through the main entrance, arriving well ahead of the 1:30pm drop-off so everything was in place before guests arrived.
We do the same coordination for office buildings, venues and community halls right across Sydney, from the CBD and Inner West to the Northern Beaches.
Planning a Charity or Fundraiser Event in Sydney?
Whether it's an afternoon tea, a fundraising luncheon, a gala cocktail evening or a community morning tea, we'd love to help. Here's what we offer charity, not-for-profit and fundraiser events:
- Morning and afternoon tea from $22 per person (ex GST), minimum 20 guests
- Canapé packages for cocktail-style fundraisers and galas, from $42 per person
- Hot feasting-style lunches for luncheons and community days
- Beverage packages, with our own liquor licence for events that need a bar
- Drop-off boxed catering or chef-on-site service, depending on your event
- Clear labelling for every dietary requirement
- Transparent pricing, so you know exactly what you're spending and can budget with confidence
Every dollar matters when you're raising money for a cause, so we're always happy to work with you on a menu that fits your budget without compromising on quality.
To talk through your next charity or fundraiser event, get in touch with Robbie on 0433 031 972 or email info@thesydneycateringco.com.