Bridgestone at La Botanique
– A Curated Food & Bar Experience by David Lee Chef
For me, the most memorable events are the ones where food and drink work in perfect harmony with the occasion’s theme. When Bridgestone invited me to create a bespoke menu and full bar service for their corporate gathering at La Botanique in Botany, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to bring that philosophy to life.
From our first discussion, it was clear that this event needed more than just beautiful food — it needed a complete culinary and beverage experience, tailored from the ground up to reflect the client’s style and vision.
Two Sittings, Two Seamless Experiences
The day was designed in two distinct parts — a luncheon for 40 guests followed by an intimate dinner for 21. My team and I transformed the venue between sittings, ensuring each service felt fresh and unique while still carrying the same elegance and attention to detail.
The Menu – Refined and Seasonal
For this event, I created a three-course menu that celebrated premium Australian ingredients with a refined European influence:
Entrée – Lobster Mac & Cheese with butter-poached lobster, fresh Australian black truffle, and aged Comté cheese sauce.
Main – Beef striploin with Jerusalem artichoke, confit potato, balsamic onions, and bordelaise sauce, served alongside a shared green leaf salad of shaved radish, fennel, Persian feta, and citrus vinaigrette.
Dessert – Roasted beurre bosc pear with orange blossom honey, pistachio crumble, and vanilla bean ice cream.
We also adapted the menu to meet Halal and dairy-free requirements, so every guest could enjoy the same exceptional quality and presentation.
The Bar – Designed to Match the Mood
In addition to the food, we built a full-service bar to complement the menu and create a sense of arrival from the very first moment. Guests were welcomed with their choice of:
Eye of the Storm – a vibrant, tropical cocktail (70% served)
Smoky Mezcal Negroni – a bold, aromatic twist on the classic (30% served)
Our bartenders also prepared mocktails to order, so non-drinkers could enjoy equally exciting options. Throughout the event, we poured a curated selection of premium wines from Eden Valley, Tasmania, Barossa, and New Zealand, along with craft beers, top-shelf spirits, and a thoughtful range of non-alcoholic beverages.
Flawless Service, Start to Finish
My team of chefs, waitstaff, and bar professionals worked seamlessly across both sittings, ensuring the transition between lunch and dinner was effortless. Every plate, every pour, and every detail was considered — allowing the Bridgestone team to focus entirely on their guests.
A Perfect Reflection of the Client’s Vision
This event was a true example of what I love most about my work — creating an immersive food and drink experience that feels like it could only have been made for that one moment in time.
If you’re planning an event and want a menu and bar service that are crafted together from concept to final toast, my team and I can bring it to life with the same care, creativity, and precision we brought to Bridgestone’s celebration.
