Merivale wins tender to provide food and drink at SCG and Sydney Football Stadium

Justin Hemmes will take over catering at the hallowed grounds of the SCG, with Sydney’s bar king promising some fine dining alongside the usual pies and VB.

Hot pies, cold cans of VB and even some fancy grub will all be part of billionaire hotelier Justin Hemmes’ hat trick of treats when he hits the bowling crease at the SCG this summer.

Hemmes has expanded his empire further by taking over the food and drink outlets at the Sydney Cricket Ground just in time for summer.

Justin Hemmes’ Merivale will provide food and drink at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the Sydney Football Stadium. Picture: Phil Hillyard for the SCG

Sport fans will still be able to pick up a pie for $5 and a can of VB for $9, but there will also be some up-market options from chefs at some of Hemmes’ signature Merivale restaurants.

“This is a major milestone in our company’s history, and builds on our commitment to the city of Sydney, its culture, economy and job creation,” Hemmes said.

The playboy pub baron beat bids from familiar names — including Bourke Street Bakery, Flying Fish and Chips, and a bidder with links to celebrity chef Matt Moran — to land the deal to supply the SCG, and Sydney Football Stadium (SFS) when it opens in 2022.

“We will strive to provide the most enjoyable and exciting experience to the people of NSW and to all guests of the SCG and the new SFS,” Hemmes said.

“This new partnership will see us bring together Merivale’s wonderful talent pool, diverse restaurant brands, quality service and inherent love of Sydney to help deliver a world-class experience to every person who steps into the stadium,” he said.

Chefs lining up to provide food for sport fans at branches of their established restaurants include Danielle Alvarez from Fred’s, Dan Hong from Mr Wong, and Vincenzo Biondini from Vinnie’s Pizza.

The Members Pavilion at the SCG will have a French restaurant called Bistro 1886, inspired by the up-market Felix.

The six-year contract, which replaces existing supplier Delaware North, who had supplied food and drinks since 2010, will see 1000 people employed across both venues.

Delaware North has just won the contract to supply the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

It is a new venture for Hemmes, who has built an empire from up-market venues in the CBD, including Establishment and The Ivy, to include the recently purchased Quarterdeck in Narooma.

Originally published as Merivale wins tender to provide food and drink at SCG and Sydney Football Stadium