Chef Matt Moran takes on Merivale by becoming ambassador for Accor, CommBank stadiums

Forget what’s happening on the field. Sydney’s stadiums are the new battleground for hospitality icons. Find out where celebrity chef Matt Moran has staked (or is that steaked?) his claim.

Sport stadiums are the new culinary battleground for Sydney’s best chefs.

Fresh off the reveal of Merivale as hospitality partner at Allianz Stadium and The Sydney Cricket Ground, comes the announcement that celebrity chef Matt Moran will become culinary ambassador at Olympic Park’s Accor Stadium and Parramatta’s CommBank Stadium.

Moran will oversee the food at the NRL Grand Final, which just recently was confirmed to go ahead at the Stadium on October 2 after a standoff between the NSW Government and the NRL.

Moran owns some of Sydney’s best restaurants including Aria, Chiswick and North Bondi Fish.

Moran will start with changing the food in Members and Corporate dining before tackling General Admission.

Matt Moran is the new culinary ambassador at Accor Stadium. Supplied

This year, 8000 attendees at the NRL Grand Final will feast on Moran’s lamb-shoulder, which has been made famous at Chiswick, as well as a tender chargrilled harissa Bannockburn chicken.

“People’s expectations keep raising the bar for what they expect at an event. They what the complete package. You can see if with what the other guys are doing at the stadiums. Food isn’t a by-product anymore. We want people to stay at the stadiums,” Moran said.

Moran will oversee around 8000 plated meals at the upcoming NRL Grand Final 2022.

“Gone are the days when you put up with a cold meat pie at the footy.”

Moran also has a partnership with the Solotel hospitality group, which was rumoured to have tendered for the hospitality partnership for the Sydney Football Stadium and Sydney Cricket Ground.

Moran said he’s been in talk with the stadiums “for a while.”

“My restaurants will always be number one and if someone took them away from me, I will be devastated but I really enjoy the diversity of what I’m doing.”

Matt Moran’s famed lamb shoulder, Picture: Supplied

Accor Stadium CEO Daryl Kerry, who is also CEO of CommBank Stadium, said as well as the match day corporate and member experience, the big winners will be the scores of non-event day functions and events at the venues.

A selection of Matt Moran's offerings at Accor Stadium. Picture: Supplied.

“Matt Moran is an Australian food icon who has a real passion for delivering exceptional culinary experiences and we believe he can help us achieve a new level of in-stadium food offerings while showcasing the best of NSW produce,” Mr Kerry said.

As well as NRL’s big dance, Moran will also direct the food offering for upcoming A-list concerts like Ed Sheeran and Harry Styles.

MATT MORAN’S NEW ACCOR STADIUM MENU

Members Dining

Bay leaf & confit garlic roasted Bannockburn free range chicken

Heirloom tomato, caper & red onion

Corporate Hospitality

Barama-salata, vegetable crisps

Slow roasted Moran Family lamb shoulder, salads & flatbreads – “live station”

Corporate dining

Pan roasted Barramundi, polenta, cavolo nero, pine nut & caper butter

General Public:

Matt will develop a signature item at major events like the upcoming NRL Grand Final in the general public area.

Originally published as Chef Matt Moran takes on Merivale by becoming ambassador for Accor, CommBank stadiums