AusLeisure

Compass Group Australia's Restaurant Associates Venues has been appointed as the commercial operator for Perth Zoo’s highly anticipated new café precinct and function centre.

Restaurant Associates Venues is a nationally renowned organisation with experience working in zoos, as current operators of Werribee and Melbourne Zoo in Victoria.

The Perth Zoo appointment marks a significant milestone in the Zoo’s Master Plan 2040, which was kick-started with an investment of more than $50 million by the WA Government, to deliver on an election commitment.

The facilities will open in Spring, coinciding with the launch of the new playground and the Zoo's 125th birthday celebrations.

The café precinct will contain three outlets to suit all visitors, including dine-in and takeaway, as well as a coffee and wine bar.

Customers can enjoy a sit-down meal at 'Habitat' overlooking the playground or purchase a convenient bite from takeaway outlet, 'Wag Tails'. The food offerings will be complemented by a new coffee and wine bar, 'Distill and Brew'.

The centrepiece of the development is the new function and events centre, 'The Maali', which is the Noongar word for Black Swan. It will have its own entrance on Labouchere Road and provide a stunning setting for weddings, corporate events and more.

WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby enthused "this is a very exciting time for Perth Zoo as we prepare to launch the first projects under our Master Plan.

"The new café and function centre are truly state-of-the-art facilities and will enhance the visitor experience like never before.

"We know Perth Zoo is a must-visit destination. This café will be a destination in itself and attract customers from right across the community.

"The function centre will raise the bar for event spaces in Perth. It will give the Zoo an opportunity to reach new audiences and welcome even more visitors through the door."

Compass Group Australia Executive Director Michael Lambourne adds "Restaurant Associates Venues is delighted to be the new catering partner for the delivery of food and beverage services at Perth Zoo.

"We are passionate about our commitment to sustainability and supporting local communities. Our menus will incorporate locally sourced produce and will be tailored to deliver value to drive customer satisfaction and engagement.

"The stunning new retail and function facilities will be transformational for the Zoo and the perfect platform for us to introduce our quality and innovative catering services.

"We believe The Maali will provide Perth and wider the community with leading function and boardroom facilities unmatched in the State."

For more information, visit https://themaali.com.au/

Image.Credit: Restaurant Associates 

Related Articles

7th August 2023 - Last Perth Zoo elephants to be rehomed at South Australia’s Monarto Safari Park

26th April 2023 - Construction commences on Perth Zoo’s $3.8 million accessible playground

8th February 2023 - Clontarf Aboriginal College students commence new Perth Zoo traineeship

29th August 2022 - Works now underway on major upgrades to Perth Zoo

20th July 2022 - Perth Zoo Horticulture teams transfer trees and plants to temporary homes

8th July 2022 - Perth Zoo and wider community mourn Tricia its beloved 65 year-old Asian Elephant

28th June 2022 - Perth Zoo celebrates successful breeding of threatened species 

10th June 2022 - Western Australian company appointed to build Perth Zoo café and function centre

9th May 2022 - New appointments announced for Perth Zoo’s Zoological Parks Authority Board

24th February 2022 - Rare tree relocated at Perth Zoo

21st May 2021 - 20-year masterplan released for Perth Zoo

28th December 2020 - Perth Zoo offers summer exhibitions and entertainment

11th November 2020 - Perth Zoo celebrates Noongar seasons with new education program

10th April 2020 - Perth Zoo introduce their latest Tree Kangaroo joey

31st December 2019 - Perth Zoo welcomes birth of rare Nepalese red panda cubs and bearcat cubs born

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.