Sonia Hocking, an experienced Melbourne chef and mother of two, is the passionate founder of Gourmet Guru Catering
With over 35 years in the hospitality industry, Sonia completed her Cookery Apprenticeship in Five Star establishments in the 1990s and has since enjoyed working in many diverse facets of the trade, including managing corporate cafes, restaurants, fine dining, and aged care facilities.
Sonia firmly believes that the quality of ingredients and the time invested in preparation are essential to creating exceptional meals and flavours.
Gourmet Guru provides custom catering services, including Finger Food, Grazing Tables, Buffets, Spit Roasts, and Corporate and Cocktail Functions.
Gourmet Guru's kitchen is registered with Manningham Council and has received a Five-Star Food Safety Award for the past five consecutive years - a testament to the company's commitment to excellence.
Gourmet Guru's unwavering aim is to provide consistently outstanding, high-quality, and innovative gourmet catering with exceptional customer service to Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
Sonia Hocking - Director, Executive Chef & Marketing
Decades spent co-ordinating complex itineraries in the travel industry has given Chris the perfect background to plan, quote and arrange your special event.
He'll assist with all aspects of your catering booking. His turnaround speed with proposals and quickfire communication is second to none - check out our reviews and you'll see this mentioned time and again.
Anyone who's ever enquired or booked with Gourmet Guru Catering knows the amazing lengths Chris will go to, ensuring that every detail is correct and that your event runs smoothly and efficiently.
He's also our resident spit roast master and oversees the marinating, threading and slow-cooking of the delicious meats over our charcoal gyros spit for up to eight hours.
And you'll see his smiling face when your catering is delivered.
He also looks after administration and bookkeeping ... and someone has to clean the pots and pans!
Chris Hocking - Director, Sales, Logistics & Administration
Chef Darryn joined Gourmet Guru Catering in November 2024.
Bringing a wealth of experience in fine dining, Chef Darryn has previously worked on numerous private yachts in the Caribbean before opening his own restaurant and cafe in inner-city Melbourne.
Darryn has been a chef for over 35 years, and brings a wealth of knowledge to the team.
Chef Darryn
Chef Laurent started in February 2024 and brings decades of international experience and works in our kitchen on a full-time basis.
Laurent trained in France and has spent most of his career in international hotels such as the Sofitel, The Savoy, Hilton Hotels and some of Melbourne's best French restaurants.
He has also owned and run several restaurants.
Laurent has been a chef for over 35 years so brings a wealth of experience and fresh ideas to Gourmet Guru Catering.
Chef Laurent
We have a large wait and bar staff team who can assist at your next event.
For an event with finger food, two wait staff are normally best – one works as the event supervisor and heats and plates while the other circulates the finger food to your guests and they both clean and clear as they go.
If you're planning to provide your own catering or another company’s catering in addition to ours, our wait staff are unable to assist with the preparation, heating or circulation of that catering – they can only assist with the catering that we provide.
We can also assist with RSA-certified bar staff to serve soft drinks, beer, wine and basic mixed drinks but they cannot assist with more complex cocktails – you’ll need a mixologist for this. Our wait staff cannot assist with the serving of alcoholic beverages - you'll need bar staff for this.
The rate is $60.00 per staff member per hour for a minimum of three hours per staff member - depending on your location, it is sometimes necessary to charge another hour to cover their travel time and expenses.
Maggie & Louise - two of our very friendly, helpful & experienced event supervisors
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Copyright © 2023 Gourmet Guru Catering Pty Ltd - All Rights Reserved.
The Gourmet Guru Team are taking a short break
from 13 to 28 Jan 25 but can still be contacted
during this time for bookings & enquiries via email
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