How the movers and shakers will be living it up in the Birdcage
There are bellboys, bubbles and bento boxes – and even a castle with a throne. Take a look inside the Birdcage’s fancy and fabulous marquees, and see which celebs made the guest list.
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The Birdcage at Flemington is already buzzing as sponsors unveil their biggest, boldest and brashest marquees to date.
From sundecks to elevators, gumnut installations to pub fare, we take you inside the playground of Melbourne’s movers and shakers.
BUMBLE
For its second year inside the Birdcage, Bumble will assert their presence with a castle fit for a Flemington fairytale. Embodying femininity, with fun pops of colour, the space will offer its guests the perfect backdrop to connect, network and experience the festivities.
MENU: Partnering with Made by Merivale, the food and beverage menu exudes luxury with a splash of fun. Guests will be spoiled for choice with savoury items including Vietnamese steak tartare, and desserts that taste as good as they look with chocolate and glitter coloured strawberries and strawberry and passion fruit marshmallows with a rose garnish.
GUESTS: Rozalia Russian, Brooke Hogan, Samantha Harris, Jesinta Franklin, Jessica Gomes and Lana Wilkinson
FEATURES: The Castle is a highly visual space carefully designed by Bumble to make every person who comes through the door feel like they are the ultimate boss, with a golden throne and floral display a focal point of the marquee.
LEXUS
Infusing Lexus’ Japanese values of warmth and hospitality, Landmark Lexus is an immersive experience across a three-level structure that pays homage to all-things Australian.
MENU: A third floor restaurant by Oakridge will become the hottest ticket in town with chefs Matt stone and Jo Barret showcasing a four course menu in largest ever-seated dining room within a Birdcage pavilion, on-trend bento boxes by Neil Perry will satisfy casual punters cravings in reusable wooden boxes that guests can be taken home while Eazy Peazy will serve hot barbecue classics crafted from fresh seasonal ingredients using a Japanese hibachi grill.
GUESTS: Kitty Spencer, Montana Cox, Julie Bishop, Emma Freedman, Ian Thorpe, Jordan Barrett, Gina Rinehart
FEATURES: With design inspirations taken from Australia’s rich native landscape, such as sustainable floral artist, Joost Bakker, creating statement centrepieces throughout and architect Koichi Takada’s all-encompassing ceiling installation, constructed from over one kilometre of recycled linen with the voluminous drapery emulating Australia’s famed paperback trees. A slow bar experience by Byrdi bar, concierge service upon guest arrival, men’s and women’s touch up bar by MECCA Cosmetica and personalised Race Books by Oroton add to the hospitality while another focal point is the Australian-first prototype reveal of the new luxurious Lexus LC Convertible.
FURPHY
For the second time, this year’s Furphy instalment, known as Chapter One, is inspired by a Victorian pub, with a fully formed bookshelf complete with issues of the best reads to floor-to-ceiling glass windows for the best vantage point of the track, and plenty of beer to cheer.
MENU: Merivale are serving a gastropub inspired menu including Signature Dishes such as Charcoal Sliders made with Furphy Pulled Pork and a Green Apple Relish and the Furphy Glazed Salted Pretzels, a substantial Furphy friendly snack which underwent extensive development to be topped with the tastiest Furphy glaze.
GUESTS: Tom and Emma Hawkins, Matthew Richardson, Abbey Holmes and Keegan Brooksby
FEATURES: Holding up to 400 racegoers each day, Furphy is the largest marquee in the Birdcage and just like your local, the Furphy marquee is welcoming, down to earth, and fully equipped for a session with friends from bench seats to a ten metre bar, Melbourne-inspired mural by artists Jack Miers and Josh Brown and the launching pad of the brewer‘s newest beverage: an Australian first, gluten free, low carb, low sugar sparkling alcoholic seltzer, called Quincy.
TABCORP
With guests privy to the inside world of racing from training connections to the hottest runners on the track in a space complemented by bold floral installations and hand painted hydrangeas.
MENU: Chef Guy Grossi will be tossing pasta and Darren Purchese has a customised Pavlova station where you can create your own pav. The Big group will also be serving up trackside classics including chicken sandwiches and beef crostilliant.
GUESTS: Sam Freedman, Lachie Hunter, Katie Brennan, Michelle Payne, Tom Lynch, Chris Judd, Max Gawn
FEATURES: With 25 metres of track frontage views, 19 television screens and a seven metre super screen, guests won’t miss any of the sporting action. Life-size painted hydrangeas adorn the outside and interior of the marquee, which took more than 200 hours to create.
MUMM
The rich and famous will be the first to check in to Mumm’s trackside luxury hotel presence, The Maison Mumm Hotel, to take in two-stories of five-star experiences.
MENU: As well as free-pouring French bubbly from the avant-garde champagne house, guests will be treated to morsels from Merivale’s executive chef, Dan Hong, whose menu will reflect generosity and sustainability with an east meets west French Asian fusion.
GUESTS: Dion Lee, Kate Peck, Hayden Cox, Usain Bolt, Cadel Evans, Tom Mitchell, Jessie and Marc Murphy
FEATURES: Mumm’s own bellboy of the Birdcage will greet guests to the luxury space inspired by a boutique hotel — including an elevator photo booth — before being immersed into a world of style and champagne. Internationally acclaimed fashion designer Dion Lee has created the uniforms for the staff
HERALD SUN
The sky’s the limit for the Herald Sun’s new three-storey structure, Herald Sun House, including the highest outdoor deck in the Birdcage. Inspired by London’s famous A-lister hotspot Soho House, the interiors will transport guests to a bygone era.
MENU: Premium food/lifestyle brand delicious has collaborated with the Three Blue Ducks, with chefs Mark LaBrooy or Darren Robertson creating a cook to order experience with their Flat Iron Burger or Victorian High Country trout with the bar to serve up to 80 guests per day. On the other levels, guests can graze on sports bar-inspired canapes from the Big Group or try the latest trend in beer and cheese pairing.
GUESTS: Matt Preston, Edwina McCann, Sam Groth
FEATURES: A rooftop terrace – dubbed The Sun Deck in a nod to the paper’s heritage – will be 12m long and 2.4m deep with high-bar tables, stools and an outdoor bar and lounge. The views take in the track and the Melbourne city skyline. A sports-themed bar, inspired by London’s Soho House, White City, will bring mid-century interiors come to life through the use of warm timbers, velvets, rattan and brass.
NETWORK 10
Using pops of bright colours, all from the 10 colour palette, the new broadcasters of the carnival are making a splash in the front row.
MENU: Guests will be treated to a mouth-watering selection of modern and contemporary food by The Big Group including a positive twist on the traditional fairy bread. Drinks will include a Gin and Basil Splash, a Long Negroni and of course plenty of bottles of bubbles.
GUESTS: Carrie Bickmore, Tommy Little, Lisa Wilkinson, Kate Peck, Kerri-Anne Kennerley
FEATURES: It’s 15 years since a television network has been in the marquee and in a Flemington first, Network 10 is hosting a purpose built studio that will house a plethora of live shows including Studio 10, 10 News First, The Project and The Loop, producing more than 65 hours of live television throughout the Carnival.
1 OLIVER ST
Inviting vivants and scallywags to enjoy the mischief and fun of fictitious character Lady Helena’s private suite, this year’s VRC Birdcage enclosure continues its extravagant soiree.
MENU: French champagne and specially designed cocktails compliment prawn cocktails, mini Reuben toasted sandwiches, flat head with chips and beef Wellington, all topped off with Lady Helena’s take on Eton mess and a secret powder room filled with decadent desert
GUESTS: Lady Kitty Spencer, Candice Warner, Nicole Trunfio, Brit Davis, Elliot Garnaut, Tegan Martin
FEATURES: Styled as Lady Helena's private suite, the space features a luxurious king size bed in the “bedroom”. A sparkling soda station with magical elixirs in the “bathroom” while in the “dressing room” guests can push past the clothes to discover two secret rooms: The Powder Room which is filled with deserts and The Den, which offers a more masculine space to kick back and relax.
KENNEDY
Moving to the front row, the stylish Kennedy marquee has over $3.5 million worth of product on display. Each day will feature a new bespoke food and drink offering.
MENU: Among the food and drink offerings changing on each race day include a Whisky Bar Station, showcasing the very best malts and blends; A raw bar, serving Seared wagyu, pickled Asian mushrooms, goma dressing Salmon, shabu-shabu, sesame seaweed salad, Seasoned tuna, miso mayonnaise, crushed edamame, shiso, wasabi sesame seeds; and signature cocktail station.
GUESTS: Jaimee and James Kennedy, Joel Selwood, Paul Feig
FEATURES: Developed by Italian design house La Cellula and produced by globally renowned Swiss exhibition specialists Expomobilia, the Kennedy Pavilion is inspired by the refined beauty of the equine world. A horseshoe shaped bar is a standout.
SEPPELT WINES
With a light, bright and stylish design, comes terrazzo flooring and large-scale floral installations. There are new alfresco spaces, with coveted outlooks to Flemington’s Parade Ring, across to the track and down the famed Birdcage straight.
MENU: A fresh, conscious menu will feature several dishes which incorporate some of Seppelt’s leading wines. These include: Seppelt Wines Stakes Day Signature Dessert – ‘The Lamington’; Edible pink quartz lamington with strawberry and Seppelt Salinger-infused jam; and Oak-aged feta, using barrels of our iconic St Peters Shiraz.
READ MORE:
WHAT TO EAT & DRINK AT THE RACES
WHY MEGAN GALE WON’T BE AT THE CUP
GUESTS: Rebecca Harding, Andy Lee
FEATURES: Maestro of Mozzarella, Giorgio Linguanti, from That’s Amore Cheese, will be serving guests specialities such as mozzarella, bocconcini and fior di latte. Wine offerings are led by Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz.