Frequently Asked Questions

HLB Catering has delivered over 500 events across Melbourne and Victoria since 2016. The team specialises in wedding catering, corporate functions, cocktail parties, private dinners, birthday celebrations, engagements, funeral catering, school and university events, and sporting club functions. Events range from intimate gatherings of 10 guests to large-scale celebrations of 500 or more. Every event receives a fully customised menu and dedicated on-site staff.

HLB Catering operates from its commercial kitchen at Factory 7, 48 Shearson Crescent, Mentone VIC 3194 and services Melbourne CBD, Bayside, Brighton, Mentone, Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Macedon Ranges, Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo. All food is transported in refrigerated vehicles from the Mentone kitchen to your venue. Call (03) 8503 7394 to confirm availability for your specific location.

Yes. HLB Catering accommodates a full range of dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, halal, and kosher-friendly options. Dietary requirements are confirmed at the time of menu planning and clearly communicated to the kitchen team before your event.

Every menu at HLB Catering is built from scratch for each event. Clients work directly with the HLB team to design a menu around their guest profile, dietary requirements, event style, and budget. Menu options span canapes, grazing tables, bowl food, buffets, shared platters, plated sit-down meals, and dessert stations. Sample menus are available as a starting point upon request.

For weddings and large events, HLB Catering recommends booking 6 to 12 months in advance. Spring weekends from September to November and December dates fill earliest. For corporate events and private functions, 3 to 6 weeks notice is generally sufficient. Last-minute bookings within 2 weeks can sometimes be accommodated depending on availability. Call (03) 8503 7394 to check your date.

HLB Catering offers complimentary tastings for events with 70 or more guests. For smaller events, canape tastings and three-course meal tastings are available for a fee, with a portion of that cost credited towards the final invoice if the booking is confirmed. Tasting sessions are held at the Mentone kitchen and cover the full menu selection for your event type.

Contact events@hlbcatering.com.au to arrange a session.

HLB Catering packages include food preparation, professional wait staff, all serving equipment, full setup, and pack-down. Additional services available on request include bar staff with RSA certification, table settings, linen hire coordination, and small commercial kitchen equipment including a 10-amp oven, benchtop deep fryer, and electric burners at no extra cost. Your personalised quote details everything included.

A booking is confirmed once the agreed deposit has been received and acknowledged by the HLB Catering team. This secures your event date. Full payment is required 21 days before your event date. Deposit amounts and payment schedules are outlined clearly in your quote.

HLB Catering provides a full refund for cancellations made more than 21 days before the event date. Cancellations within 21 days of the event may forfeit the deposit. For complete terms refer to the Terms and Conditions page.

Yes. HLB Catering provides corporate catering across Melbourne for events ranging from small boardroom lunches to large conference dinners and gala events. Service options include breakfast, morning tea, working lunches, afternoon tea, cocktail receptions, and formal sit-down dinners. Menu formats available include grazing tables, finger food and canapes, buffets, bowl food, and plated meals. The team manages full setup and pack-down with minimal disruption to your venue.

Yes. HLB Catering offers full beverage packages including wine, beer, cocktail bars, and non-alcoholic options. All staff serving alcohol hold current RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) certification. Clients who prefer to supply their own alcohol can engage HLB staff to serve it. Beverage packages are quoted separately and tailored to your event duration and guest count.

Yes. HLB Catering is fully equipped for outdoor events across Melbourne and regional Victoria including garden weddings, corporate picnics, outdoor festivals, and beachside functions. The team carries portable equipment including commercial burners and prep stations. For events requiring marquees, tables, chairs, lighting, or glassware hire, HLB coordinates directly with trusted local hire companies on your behalf.

HLB Catering serves canapes and finger food on a continuous roving basis for the full duration of your booked service period. There is no fixed limit per guest. The team monitors consumption throughout the event and adjusts service pace to ensure a consistent flow. For cocktail-style events, this approach ensures all guests are well fed without the need for a seated meal.

Yes. HLB Catering offers delivery-only catering through its online store for clients who prefer to serve food themselves. Options include grazing boxes, platter collections, and canape selections. For custom delivery orders not listed in the online store, contact the team at (03) 8503 7394 or events@hlbcatering.com.au.

Yes. All HLB Catering packages include chafing dishes, platters, serving utensils, and essential serving equipment. Where required, the team can also bring small commercial equipment including a 10-amp oven, benchtop deep fryer, and electric burners at no additional cost.

HLB Catering supplies all catering-specific serving equipment. Tables, chairs, linen, crockery, cutlery, and glassware are typically arranged through your venue or a hire partner. HLB can recommend trusted hire companies and coordinate on your behalf if required.

A deposit is required to confirm your booking. Full payment is due 21 days before your event date. Deposit amounts and payment schedules are tailored to your event and confirmed at the time of quote.

Gratuity is not expected or required in Australia. If you wish to show appreciation to the HLB team after your event, it is entirely at your discretion and always gratefully received by the staff directly.

All food is transported from HLB Catering’s Mentone commercial kitchen in refrigerated vans and insulated containers, maintaining temperatures compliant with Victoria’s food safety standards. Hot food is held above 60 degrees Celsius and cold food below 5 degrees Celsius during transit. The team arrives at the venue with sufficient lead time to complete setup before guests arrive.

HLB Catering generally requires access to a power point and a clean prep area at the venue. For events without on-site kitchen facilities, the team brings portable commercial equipment to support the full menu. Specific requirements are confirmed with you and the venue coordinator during the planning stage.

In line with Victoria’s food health and safety regulations, HLB Catering returns remaining food to its commercial kitchen at the end of each event. Safe-to-serve items such as petit fours or uneaten canapes may be left behind where appropriate. As HLB serves canapes on a continuous unlimited basis throughout the booked service period, leftover food is generally minimal.

Yes. HLB Catering holds all required food business licences and public liability insurance, compliant with Victorian food safety and business regulations. The commercial kitchen at Mentone operates under a registered food premises licence.

HLB Catering has over 75 verified Google reviews with a 4.8 star rating. You can read client reviews directly on Google Reviews. Reviews cover weddings, corporate events, private functions, and grazing table orders from clients across Melbourne and Victoria.

HLB Catering combines over 30 years of combined hospitality experience with a complete event service model. Restaurant-quality food prepared fresh from the Mentone kitchen, professional staff who manage every element of food service on the day, and a planning process that starts from your first enquiry and doesn’t finish until pack-down is complete. It’s a complete experience, not just a menu delivery.

HLB Catering sources seasonal produce, premium meats, and artisan cheeses from Victorian suppliers, selected fresh for each event. The menu offering changes seasonally to reflect what is available and at peak quality in Victoria. Sourcing locally allows the team to guarantee freshness while supporting Victorian producers.