Australia’s cultural diversity was high on the menu for the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre at this year’s Australia Day Council of NSW Lunch.

Executive Chef Uwe Habermehl embraced the function theme of “Living Australian” by creating a four-course lunch highlighting the nation’s multiculturalism.

One of Australia’s largest corporate lunches, the late January event was attended by more than 1500 guests.

The meal began with an amuse bouche of spiced cured duck breast served in an Asian bamboo basket, before guests enjoyed a light ocean trout entrée, featuring European overtones in its caviar mascarpone dressing.

The main course of corn-fed Barossa chicken breast highlighted Australia’s ever expanding range of quality fresh produce with its inclusions of white asparagus, fresh truffle, foie gras and a delicate basil foam.

With the event falling at the height of summer, Uwe finished the lunch with a delicious coffee and chocolate trilogy featuring fresh raspberries.

“I wanted to create a lunch that was fresh and summery and, above all, celebrated our nation’s great cultural diversity as well as our fantastic produce,” Uwe said.

Now in its 26th year, the Australia Day Lunch was the Centre’s first corporate luncheon for 2010.

Image: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Executive Chef Uwe Habermehl preparing the Australia Day function meal

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