4 Perfect Melbourne Cup Lunch Ideas
The Melbourne Cup is more than just a horse race—it’s an iconic event that unites Australians in a celebration of style, sport, and socialising. It’s often referred to as “the race that stops the nation”. Offices transform into festive hubs on that day. Colleagues dress up, often place bets, and enjoy celebratory lunches.
For office managers like you, hosting a Melbourne Cup lunch is a great opportunity to bring the team together, boost morale, and create lasting memories. But the crucial thing is to have the right Melbourne Cup lunch ideas.
Do you want to go for a traditional spread or mix it up with something more modern? Should it be sit-down or finger food? Making the right lunch choice is super important, not just to impress your colleagues. A fantastic lunch also makes sure the day runs smoothly and everyone can enjoy the festivities without a hitch. Read through this blog piece and gather some brilliant ideas about what you can offer for your office Melbourne Cup Day lunch.
4 Quick & Easy Melbourne Cup Lunch Ideas
Are you planning a Melbourne Cup lunch this year? You can keep it simple yet stylish with these four quick and easy menu ideas from Catering Zone that are sure to impress all the executives and employees.
1. Turkish Fingers Platter Box
Catering Zone’s Turkish fingers box is packed with fresh, premium ingredients like chicken schnitzel, smoked salmon, and avocado. There’s a mix of flavours from veggie to deluxe tuna—so you’ll definitely find something for everyone. These tasty finger foods are perfect for a Melbourne Cup lunch because they are easy to eat and enjoy while mingling. The best way to serve this item is three per person; that'll keep your team satisfied and energised for the celebrations.
2. Catering Zone Soft Roll

For any office celebration for Melbourne Cup race day, the Soft Roll Collection from Catering Zone is a perfect choice as a crowd-pleaser. The soft and fluffy rolls come with a great range of fillings, including chicken schnitzel, pulled pork, roast veggies with halloumi, etc., and are comfortable to eat on the go. One of the biggest pluses for soft rolls is that Catering Zone automatically offers 20% veggie options included in this item!
3. Trio Bao Bun

How about bringing an Asian surprise to wow your team on this epic day? The trio bao bun mixed box gives an exciting twist to your Melbourne Cup office lunch. Each bao bun is filled with slow-cooked goodness—pulled pork with fennel slaw, chipotle chicken with crunchy coleslaw, and beef brisket with pickled red cabbage. These Asian-style buns are soft, flavorful, and super simple to eat. So, they are an excellent choice for a lively, stand-up race day event. With 18 buns in a box, they’re ideal for sharing and also for satisfying a variety of tastes.
4. High Tea Sandwiches

You can elevate your menu for Melbourne Cup lunch with Catering Zone’s High Tea Sandwiches. Each box features 36 elegantly prepared finger sandwiches with fillings like smoked salmon with cream cheese and turkey with cranberry sauce. These are crustless delights made with fresh, premium ingredients. Also, these sandwiches are served chilled for a touch of sophistication. Apart from the ones we mentioned, options range from roast beef with seeded mustard to cucumber and dill cream fraiche. So, you can tell they’re perfect for a classy, relaxed event!
Conclusion
A thoughtfully planned and organised Melbourne Cup lunch not only delights your guests but sets the tone for a fantastic event. Upholding the spirit of team bonding and shared joy and celebration is only possible when the food options serve everyone with pleasure.
Imagine your team enjoying our Turkish fingers or bao buns—all of which are crafted to dazzle and satisfy everyone! It’s not a job well done just for you; we, as a renowned catering company, feel that joy, too!
Catering Zone's skilled catering services can surely offer a flawless and cherished event on this epic race day. Let us help you create a meal to remember. Contact us right away to make sure your Melbourne Cup recipes are as stunning as the race!