Nestled on Dharawal land, Campbelltown Arts Centre stands as a cultural cornerstone, embraced by the community and fortified by the support of the NSW and Australian Governments. As a popular contemporary arts destination, the Centre orchestrates a diverse array of events, exhibitions, and programs weekly. In this vibrant tapestry, our dedicated team at Perfectly Paired, specialists in hospitality consulting, have played a pivotal role in procuring an imaginative, high-quality food and beverage partner for the bustling Café at Campbelltown Arts Centre.
Diverging from the conventional path of engaging Leasing Agents, Campbelltown City Council adopted a fresh perspective. This article navigates the nuances between involving a hospitality consultant and a leasing agent in the quest for the ideal catering partner for significant Council assets.
In this week’s blog, we had the pleasure of interviewing Emma Hughes, Property Services Manager for Campbelltown City Council. Join us for an insightful exploration into the intricacies of the catering procurement process, the significance of values alignment and the differences between engaging a leasing agent versus a hospitality consultant to secure the most fitting food and beverage operator.
Savouring Success: The Impact of Exceptional Food and Coffee Quality
At Perfectly Paired, we understand that high-quality food and coffee are more than just a culinary experience. Emma Hughes, Property Services Manager for Campbelltown City Council, emphasises, "Given our venue's status as a leading contemporary arts centre, securing the right standard of offerings was crucial. Quality cuisine not only ensures repeat business at the café but also contributes to fostering a repeat visitation to Campbelltown Arts Centre."
Empowering Choices: The Decision to Partner with a Hospitality Consultant
When asked why Perfectly Paired was chosen as a hospitality consultant, Emma Hughes explains, "Perfectly Paired responded to Council’s brief perfectly. They understood what we were looking for, took time to identify how they could add value to the process, developed a clear pathway towards our desired outcome and were able to demonstrate their depth of experience in the market to support their selection."
The decision to opt for a hospitality consultant over a traditional leasing agent was influenced by the desire for someone connected to quality operators and capable of balancing food quality, service delivery and commercial outcomes. Emma adds, "Perfectly Paired understood that the solution was a balance between food quality, exceptional service delivery and commercial outcome. They understood our unique criteria for success and paired us up with an amazing operator.”
Beyond Tradition: An Innovative Approach
At Perfectly Paired, our approach is grounded in understanding the depth of the brief and working collaboratively to refine opportunities. Emma highlights, "Perfectly Paired took time to understand the brief and utilised their market knowledge to refine the opportunity. Critical to our success was the tasting and menu evaluation – an opportunity not afforded through working with a traditional leasing agent."
Our expertise lies in providing a comprehensive shortlist through market connections, ensuring a tailored approach that aligns with our venue partner’s preferences.
Shared Values, Exceptional Outcomes
At Perfectly Paired, values alignment is at the core of our procurement process and we understand that this can ultimately make or break a commercial partnership.
Emma emphasises its importance, stating, "Success in this process is dependent on ensuring the agent and the client are aligned in their search and desired outcomes." Perfectly Paired ensures this alignment through collaborative sessions and continuous communication. Emma expresses satisfaction, "Following engagement, we held several sessions to ensure that Perfectly Paired understood the Arts Centre, its functions and aspirations and Council’s aspirations for a successful operator. Perfectly Paired checked back in throughout the process, inviting our input and feedback. It was an extremely collaborative process."
The collaboration between Campbelltown City Council and Perfectly Paired exemplifies the power of partnership, unique approaches and values alignment in creating a culinary haven at Campbelltown Arts Centre. This partnership not only brings forth a delightful dining experience but also strengthens the ties between art, culture and gastronomy, enriching the community's engagement with this cultural landmark.
Working closely with Council and Government venues is a specialty and a passion for our team at Perfectly Paired. If you need support in finding the right fit catering partner for your venue,please reach out today to book your free consultation.
To grow your commercial sales, increase your profits and manage partnerships in a way that’s smart, streamlined and strategic, it’s time to be Perfectly Paired.