A New Era of Hospitality at Como House & Garden

At Perfectly Paired, we pride ourselves on creating meaningful partnerships that elevate both venue and visitor experience. One of our most recent achievements celebrates exactly that—the successful completion of a Catering Services Request for Tender Program for one of Melbourne’s most beloved and historically significant venues, Como House and Garden, in collaboration with our long-term partners, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

As trusted hospitality consultants in Melbourne, we were proud to lead this project using our innovative and hands-on approach to catering tender management, ensuring the outcome was not only commercially sound but also creatively aligned with the venue’s heritage and future vision. The result? A perfect pairing between the National Trust and a new hospitality partner to oversee both retail food and beverage and functions and weddings catering at Como House: a powerhouse collaboration between VenuesLive and the Scott Pickett Group.

Introducing Como Lane – A European-Style Café Steeped in Melbourne Heritage

Launched by the Scott Pickett Group and VenuesLive, Como Lane is a vibrant new café nestled in the heritage-listed gardens of Como House. A charming blend of old-world elegance and contemporary hospitality, the venue is quickly becoming a local favourite—serving as both a relaxing café and a sophisticated events space.

“It’s an incredible honour to be opening a venue at Como House & Garden – such a unique part of Melbourne’s history and a cornerstone to the local South Yarra community,” said Scott Pickett, renowned chef and restaurateur. “Como Lane is significant as our first full-service cafe from Scott Pickett Group; I’m excited to try something different. Our offering will be quality-driven while also welcoming. At the end of the day, it’s a cafe all about good food and community.”

Housed in the estate’s original gardener’s sheds, Como Lane offers an intimate indoor space and lush alfresco dining that integrates seamlessly with the estate’s picturesque gardens—creating a serene backdrop for locals, visitors, and private event guests alike.

A Tailored Food & Beverage Vision, Brought to Life

As specialist food and beverage consultants, our role was to ensure the selected partner could embody the unique spirit of Como House while delivering operational excellence across both daily café trade and premium event experiences.

The result is a venue that captures Melbourne’s vibrant food culture, with a menu built around seasonal produce, local suppliers, and Scott Pickett’s culinary legacy. Guests can expect dishes like chilli scrambled eggs with Longrain’s XO sauce, wild mushroom and goat cheese quiche, or an elevated Wagyu burger with house-made fries.

“We’re thrilled to have Scott Pickett and his team bringing their expertise in hospitality and storytelling through food at Como Lane in what will be a charming café and an extension of the rich heritage of Como House & Garden,” said Collette Brennan, CEO of the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).

More Than a Café: A Destination for Life’s Moments

Como Lane offers more than just a place to dine—it’s a venue designed for celebration and connection. From intimate weddings and bridal showers to elegant garden parties and cultural workshops, the venue’s versatility and stunning setting make it a standout destination for events of all sizes.

As part of our catering tender program, we ensured that event catering services matched the venue’s high standards, with offerings that range from gourmet picnic hampers to curated multi-course functions.

A Perfect Partnership

This project represents exactly what we strive to achieve at Perfectly Paired: intelligent, considered connections between venue and operator. By aligning the National Trust’s vision with the strengths of both VenuesLive and the Scott Pickett Group, we’ve helped secure a long-term hospitality solution that respects the heritage of the site while embracing the future.

If you’re seeking expert catering tender management, need strategic guidance on food and beverage operations, or want to boost your venue’s commercial outcomes, we’re here to help. As the go-to hospitality consultants in Melbourne, we specialise in aligning the right people with the right places - perfectly.

Ready to explore how we can elevate your venue? Contact Perfectly Paired Hospitality Consultants today.