Sitting Ducks Catering

Sitting Ducks Catering provides professional, creative, and high-quality catering services throughout Canberra from its base at 17B Bentham St in Yarralumla, ACT. The company has been delivering exceptional catering experiences for 20 years, building a strong reputation for thoughtful menu design, attention to detail, and a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction. Whether the need is for a corporate function, an intimate private party, a milestone celebration, or simply restaurant-quality food at home, Sitting Ducks Catering offers a comprehensive range of contemporary menus and dedicated event support to make every occasion memorable.

The business takes pride in its ability to handle events of any scale, from a simple catering drop-off to a fully serviced formal dinner. With a team led by Danny Corvini and supported by experienced hospitality professionals, the company manages everything from initial consultation and menu planning through to professional setup and attentive wait service. This end-to-end approach allows hosts to relax and enjoy their guests, confident that every aspect of the food and service is in capable hands.

Menus and Catering Options from Sitting Ducks Catering

Sitting Ducks Catering structures its offerings around a diverse collection of menus, each designed to suit different event formats and times of day. The company sources fresh seasonal produce and quality ingredients to craft dishes that emphasize taste, style, and presentation. Clients can explore multiple menu categories, each available as a detailed PDF download from the company’s website, to find the perfect fit for their function.

Breakfast Catering

The breakfast menu offers a range of options suitable for morning meetings, corporate breakfasts, or early celebrations. Dishes are designed to be both satisfying and professionally presented, providing a strong start to the day without requiring the host to manage preparation or service.

Morning and Afternoon Tea

For mid-morning or mid-afternoon events, the morning and afternoon tea menu features a selection of sweet and savory items. These menus are ideal for networking functions, training sessions, or social gatherings where guests appreciate a lighter selection of high-quality finger foods and pastries.

Lunch Menu

The lunch offering moves beyond simple sandwiches, presenting creative and substantial options that work well for corporate lunches, private parties, and daytime celebrations. The menu is crafted to deliver restaurant-quality flavor in a convenient, serviceable format, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Canapé and Grazing Menus

The canapé menu is a standout choice for cocktail-style events, offering a wide variety of beautifully presented bites that are easy to enjoy while standing and mingling. Complementing this, the grazing platters menu provides abundant, visually striking boards featuring a curated selection of cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and artisan accompaniments—a popular choice for more casual celebrations.

Formal and Buffet Menus

For seated dinners and larger gatherings, Sitting Ducks Catering provides a formal menu and a buffet menu. The formal option delivers multi-course, plated meals with polished service, while the buffet option offers generous, self-serve selections that encourage guests to return for seconds. Both menus are supported by the company’s experienced team to ensure smooth execution.

Conference Packages and Beverage Service

Business clients can take advantage of purpose-built conference packages that combine food and beverage service tailored to meeting schedules. These packages are designed to minimize disruption while providing quality refreshments and meals throughout the day. The company also offers comprehensive tea and coffee options and beverage packages, ensuring every event is well-catered in both food and drink.

Staff and Equipment Hire

Beyond food, Sitting Ducks Catering supplies professional waitstaff and event equipment. Clients can book experienced servers who are familiar with Canberra’s premier venues, as well as hire necessary equipment to ensure the event setup meets professional standards. This additional service layer transforms a catering delivery into a full-service event experience.

Customer Reviews and Ratings for Sitting Ducks Catering

Sitting Ducks Catering holds a strong 4.9-star rating on Google Maps, drawn from 28 reviews that consistently highlight the company’s exceptional food quality, responsiveness, and professional service. The feedback paints a picture of a catering team that genuinely cares about client satisfaction and goes above and beyond to deliver successful events.

Praised for Flexibility and Last-Minute Problem Solving

Several Google Maps reviewers emphasize the company’s impressive ability to adapt to changing circumstances. One client, Kate Davidson, recounted booking Sitting Ducks for a lunch presentation originally planned for 20 people. When attendance unexpectedly grew to 70 on the day of the event, the team “really went out of their way” to secure enough additional food in time, ensuring the presentation could proceed without a hitch. This level of responsiveness is a recurring theme among customer comments.

Consistent Praise for Food and Service

David Hill, who hired Sitting Ducks Catering for a combined birthday and anniversary celebration, described the experience as “extremely helpful and accommodating” from start to finish. He noted that the canapés were “delicious” and that feedback from his guests was “consistently positive.” Mark Anderson, celebrating a milestone birthday, similarly commended Danny Corvini and the team for providing “excellent food and exemplary service” that contributed significantly to a successful party. In response, the owner thanked Mark, noting, “It was our pleasure to host you!”

Overall Reputation

Across the reviews, customers repeatedly mention the professionalism of the staff, the quality of the cuisine, and the peace of mind that comes from working with a reliable caterer. The owner’s responses to reviews reinforce a business culture centered on hospitality and client relationships.

The Sitting Ducks Catering Team and Their Experience

The company is led by Danny Corvini, whose hands-on involvement is frequently noted in reviews. Supporting Danny is a team of seasoned waiters and hospitality professionals, many of whom have years of experience at some of Canberra’s most respected institutions and venues.

Shontelle is described as a friendly, hardworking, and skilled waitress dedicated to ensuring events run smoothly so that hosts can relax. Lorena Jadric brings many years of service within Canberra’s food industry, with previous roles at the National Gallery of Australia, the National Convention Centre, and Parliament House. Her approachable, smiling demeanor is a noted asset at events of any size. John Caine rounds out the core team with an extraordinary depth of experience, including thirteen years managing a cellar door at a local five-star winery and high-level service roles at the Australian War Memorial, the Australian Institute of Sport, GIO Stadium, Thoroughbred Park, Parliament House, The Lodge, and Government House. This collective background means that every event benefits from deep familiarity with a broad range of high-profile venues and event formats across the capital.

Sitting Ducks Catering in Yarralumla and Across Canberra

Sitting Ducks Catering operates from its address at 17B Bentham St in Yarralumla, a well-established suburb in the Australian Capital Territory. Yarralumla’s central position within Canberra makes it a convenient base for servicing events across the entire city. The company’s services extend throughout Canberra and its surrounding areas, catering to functions at private residences, corporate offices, government buildings, embassies, and many of the city’s notable event spaces.

The location provides easy access to major roads and is a short drive from key Canberra landmarks such as the Parliamentary Triangle, Lake Burley Griffin, and the Kingston Foreshore. While the company primarily focuses on delivering catering to off-site locations, clients may contact the office during business hours to discuss event requirements or pick up printed materials. The address is a commercial premises, and all event consultations are best handled by phone or email. For clients unfamiliar with Yarralumla, the area is known for its leafy streets and proximity to the diplomatic and government precincts that often generate demand for high-quality catering.

Operating hours vary by day, with the office typically open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM on Mondays, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Tuesdays, closed on Wednesdays, and open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Thursdays. Weekends and after-hours event delivery are arranged directly with the team.

Common Questions

What types of events does Sitting Ducks Catering handle?

Sitting Ducks Catering handles a wide range of events including corporate functions, private birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, family BBQs, formal dinners, and conference catering. The company is equipped to manage both small, intimate gatherings and large-scale events with hundreds of guests.

How do I book Sitting Ducks Catering for an event?

Bookings can be made by calling 040 DUCKS 08 (0403 825 708) or by filling out the contact form on the company’s website. A team member will respond promptly to discuss your event details, menu preferences, and any special requirements.

What areas does Sitting Ducks Catering serve?

The company provides catering services throughout Canberra and the surrounding region from its Yarralumla base. To confirm service for a specific location, contact Sitting Ducks Catering directly.

Can I see sample menus before booking?

Yes. Sitting Ducks Catering publishes detailed menu PDFs on its website for breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, lunch, canapés, formal dinners, buffets, conference packages, grazing platters, and beverage options. These can be reviewed at any time.

Does Sitting Ducks Catering provide waitstaff and equipment?

Yes. The company offers professional waitstaff and event equipment hire as part of its service. The experienced team can serve at your event, and equipment such as tables, chairs, crockery, and glassware can be arranged to meet your needs.

What are the payment terms for Sitting Ducks Catering?

Specific payment terms and conditions are available in the Terms & Conditions document linked on the company’s website. For payment options and deposit requirements, contact Sitting Ducks Catering directly.

Is there a minimum or maximum number of guests?

The company caters events of all sizes, “no matter how big or small.” Whether you need a small private dinner for a few people or a large celebration for 70 or more, the team can adjust to your guest count. Discuss your exact needs when booking.

When you choose Sitting Ducks Catering for your next Canberra event, you are selecting a service built on 20 years of experience and a genuine dedication to making your occasion shine. We encourage you to explore their menus and compare their reviews with other caterers on Ilistify before making your decision.