Broadbean Catering & Events

Situated within the architecturally stunning National Museum of Australia, Broadbean Catering & Events delivers sophisticated catering and seamless event management for clients across Canberra and the Australian Capital Territory. With a 4.8-star rating drawn from more than 40 reviews, the business is known for transforming spaces inside the museum into memorable settings for weddings, corporate functions, private celebrations, and community gatherings. Guests and hosts alike praise the friendly, accommodating team and the attention to detail that marks every booking.

Operating from 1 Lawson Crescent in Acton, the team blends modern Australian cuisine with professional coordination so that each event feels personal and polished. From intimate dinner parties to full-day corporate conferences, Broadbean Catering & Events provides on-site dining and delivery services, making it a versatile choice for occasions of any size. The location offers ample public transport, cycling, and traffic access, and the surrounding gardens and Peninsula Room add a distinctive Canberra backdrop.

Event Catering & Custom Menus

Every menu is tailored to the occasion, the season, and the specific tastes of the client. The kitchen draws on fresh, high-quality produce to craft canapés, plated meals, buffets, and substantial working lunches. Whether the brief calls for vegan options, gluten-free alternatives, or hearty Australian classics, the culinary team adapts without compromising flavour or presentation.

• Wedding receptions – seated formal dinners, cocktail-style service, and bespoke grazing tables.
• Corporate functions – conference tea breaks, networking canapés, executive boardroom lunches.
• Private celebrations – milestone birthdays, anniversaries, holiday parties, and family reunions.
• Community events – museum galas, charity fundraisers, cultural showcases.

Behind every dish is a focus on seasonal ingredients and elegant plating. The head chef collaborates directly with event hosts to build a menu that reflects personal style while fitting the logistics of the chosen venue space inside the National Museum.

Venues & Rooms at the National Museum of Australia

Broadbean Catering & Events enjoys exclusive access to some of Canberra’s most striking event spaces. Each room offers a different atmosphere, and the team helps clients select the right backdrop for their occasion.

The Peninsula Room is a favourite for corporate workshops and large private dinners. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook Lake Burley Griffin, flooding the space with natural light during daytime sessions and creating a dramatic twilight scene for evening cocktails. Flexible seating configurations accommodate theatre-style presentations, cabaret rounds, and classic boardroom setups.

Outdoor Ceremony & Pre-Function Areas

Clients often choose the Museum’s gardens for wedding ceremonies and pre-dinner drinks. The manicured lawns and sculptural architecture provide a photographic setting that feels both modern and distinctly Australian. Weather contingency plans are always built into the schedule, and the team is praised for guiding last-minute decisions about moving indoors or outdoors.

The Hall & Foyer Spaces

For large-scale galas, product launches, and exhibition openings, the vast Hall and adjoining foyers deliver a sense of occasion. These areas can be dressed with custom lighting, floral installations, and branded signage, turning the Museum’s iconic interior into a canvas for creative event styling.

Full-Service Event Coordination

Broadbean Catering & Events goes far beyond food. The in-house coordination team manages floor plans, furniture hire, audio-visual equipment, and run-sheets so that hosts can focus on their guests. The recurring sentiment in customer reviews is that nothing is too much trouble – from arranging specialty A/V tech to flexing the timeline on the day.

Clients value having a single point of contact who understands the Museum’s facilities intimately. The coordinator liaises with the culinary team, the Museum’s operations staff, and any external vendors to ensure a smooth event flow. Services include:

• Floor plan design – table layouts, dance floors, stage placement.
• Audio-visual support – microphones, projectors, screens, and live-stream capability.
• Furniture & decor hire – chairs, linen, centrepieces, and themed styling.
• Timeline management – rehearsal coordination, run-of-show, vendor load-in/load-out.
• On-the-day supervision – a dedicated manager stays on site to handle every detail.

What Clients Appreciate Most

Recurring themes appear across dozens of reviews. Clients consistently mention the professionalism and warmth of the staff, the seamless communication leading up to the event, and the calm, capable presence of the on-site team. The ability to make real-time adjustments – such as moving a ceremony inside an hour before the start time – is frequently highlighted as a major advantage of booking a team that knows the Museum so well.

Food quality is another recurring highlight. Canapé selections, sit-down mains, and dessert displays receive consistent praise for both taste and presentation. The kitchen is adept at accommodating dietary requirements without making them feel like an afterthought. Corporate hosts also remark that working lunches here feel a clear notch above standard conference fare.

• Warm, responsive communication – event coordinators reply quickly and proactively.
• Scenic, photo-ready location – Museum architecture and lake views impress guests.
• Flexible planning – last-minute switches between indoor and outdoor settings are handled smoothly.
• Seamless A/V integration – corporate clients avoid the hassle of hiring separate tech vendors.
• Value for money – packages deliver quality food, service, and coordination in one quote.

Serving Acton, Canberra & the Australian Capital Territory

Located in the heart of Acton, Broadbean Catering & Events welcomes clients from across the ACT, including central Canberra, parliamentary precincts, universities, and surrounding embassy districts. The National Museum is easily reached via major roads, dedicated cycling paths, and public transport, making it a practical choice for guests traveling from Tuggeranong, Belconnen, Woden Valley, and Queanbeyan.

Parking is available on site, and the team can arrange VIP drop-off zones for high-profile events. For interstate visitors flying into Canberra Airport, the Museum is a short drive, and nearby hotels simplify overnight stays for multi-day conferences and destination weddings.

Hours, Booking & Delivery Options

Broadbean Catering & Events operates with scheduled office hours and flexible event windows. The standard availability for inquiries is Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, by appointment on other days, or by calling +61 2 6208 5179 to arrange a site inspection. On-site dining is available for Museum-hosted events, and the team also offers a delivery service for off-site catering needs such as workplace lunches, private homes, and external function rooms.

Prospective clients are encouraged to book a walk-through of the available rooms. Seeing the spaces firsthand helps refine the vision, finalise guest numbers, and confirm menu selections. The website, broadbeancatering.com.au, provides gallery images, sample menus, and inquiry forms to start the conversation.