FSAA Viewpoint Lunch – Melbourne: Trends & Occasion Dining: The New Expectations of Diners

What are people expecting when they sit down at a major event, a corporate function or a premium occasion — and how is that changing?

Join FSAA for a Viewpoint Lunch in Melbourne as we welcome Shane Krebs, Group Executive Chef and Creative Director at Gema Group, for a practical look at how dining expectations are shifting across occasion-driven foodservice — and what that means for suppliers, distributors and procurement professionals.

Gema Group has operated across some of Australia's most demanding foodservice environments since 1984 — from the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and Supercars Championship to Accor Stadium, CommBank Stadium, LIV Golf and Qantas airport lounges. Shane's experience spans high-volume kitchen operations, menu development, procurement and event management across stadiums, government venues, corporate functions, and large private events.

This is a session for supply chain professionals who want to understand how shifting diner expectations are reshaping the menu decisions, product briefs and supplier conversations happening inside large-scale kitchens.

What this session will cover:

• How expectations around food quality, presentation and dietary options are changing at major events and occasions

• The menu and product decisions that drive procurement when feeding thousands across diverse audiences

• What operators are increasingly asking of their supply partners — and where the gaps are

• How occasion type shapes buying decisions and what that means for category managers and distributors

• Where suppliers can add the most value in high-volume, high-pressure foodservice environments

This session is designed for: Foodservice suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, procurement professionals, group chefs and category managers working across the Victorian market.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, 30 July 2026
Time: 11:45 am – 2:00 pm
Venue: Duke of Wellington, Melbourne
Includes: Seated lunch, keynote presentation, Q&A and networking with foodservice peers

About the Speaker

Shane Krebs is Group Executive Chef and Creative Director at Gema Group, a Sydney-based foodservice and events business operating across some of Australia's largest sporting venues, national events and aviation services since 1984. His remit spans high-volume kitchen operations, creative development, procurement and event management across stadiums, government venues, corporate events, weddings and private functions — including the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Supercars Championship, LIV Golf and catering at venues such as Accor Stadium, CommBank Stadium and Qantas airport lounges.

With deep experience managing the complexity of feeding large, diverse audiences to a consistent standard, Shane brings a practitioner's perspective on what drives food decisions at scale — from supplier relationships and procurement to the shifting expectations of diners across different event formats and occasions.

About FSAA FSAA is Australia's peak national organisation representing suppliers to the foodservice industry. The Viewpoint Lunch Series brings together manufacturers, distributors, procurement professionals and industry leaders for candid, insight-driven conversations about the issues shaping the sector.

Platinum Partners please email Minnie Constan to confirm your guests.