Produced in partnership with Cairns Convention Centre
As expectations of conference programs continue to evolve, catering is increasingly being viewed as more than a supporting element. It is becoming a deliberate part of how conferences create connection, communicate a sense of place and shape the overall delegate experience.
Developed in collaboration with Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Elder Professor Henrietta Marrie AM, Burii brings this approach into focus. Leading this collaboration, Cairns Convention Centre’s executive chef David Hart spent time on Country, digging for seasonal produce and gaining a deeper understanding of bush foods, traditional practices and the knowledge that guides them. In turn, this has informed not only the ingredients and dishes, but how the experience is delivered within a conference dining setting.
The meaning of Burii, the Yidinji word for “on the fire”, provides a clear framework. Fire has long been a place of gathering where people come together to share song, stories and food. In a conference context, this translates into creating moments that bring delegates together in a more considered and memorable way.
That connection to place extends beyond the plate, with ingredients sourced through partnerships with First Nations suppliers and local producers, embedding community, culture and locality within the menu. For delegates, this also creates an opportunity to engage with and learn about First Nations food culture in a way that is grounded in story and place.
For organisers, this presents an opportunity to approach catering differently. Rather than sitting alongside the program, it plays a more active role, contributing to how delegates engage with both the conferences and the destination. Burii is delivered across key dining moments, including three-course dinners for large-scale conferences, a seven-course degustation for more intimate gatherings and canapé offerings for networking functions.
As conferences move towards more purpose and experience-led design, menus like Burii highlight the growing role of catering in shaping delegate engagement and overall understanding of destination.
Explore the story behind Burii at cairnsconvention.com.au
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