ICC Sydney’s executive chef Tony Panetta with Pambula Oysters from the south coast of NSW
STARTING from December 2016, delegates attending a conference at the brand new International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) will be fed “fresh, healthy food to nourish the body and mind”.
This is according to the centre’s new food philosophy, Feeding your Performance, which was unveiled at AIME in Melbourne last week.
Speaking at a media conference, CEO Geoff Donaghy said executive chef Tony Panetta had been working with nutritionists and regional suppliers in New South Wales to develop an “industry-first approach to cuisine”.
Panetta said the new food philosophy would span the centre’s retail outlets and events.
He elaborated: “We want everyone to know what they’re eating and where it came from; a bit more traceability and trackability. Some of the hallmarks of our great food will be balance, quality, freshness and taste.”
When asked whether there would be any unhealthy options available, Panetta said: “While we stress that it’s a healthy body and mind we’re after, there’s always a balance in everything we do, and everything in moderation is the key here. So yes, horses for courses. We’re there to tailor and customise depending on the requirements, but our focus is Feeding your Performance.”
Nutritionist and media personality Joanna McMillan said, in a promotional video,Ingredients for Success, that square meals were important for delegates.
She said: “There’s no doubt the delegates will benefit from it (the philosophy), and so will the corporations who are putting their conferences here because they will find that their presenters are going to be sparkier, have more energy and be able to deliver more compelling sessions.”
