A Recipe for Success: Mannix Wins Education Caterer Award
Mannix is delighted to share that we’ve been named the 2025 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence (Victoria & Tasmania) winner in the Education Caterer category — a shared win with our outstanding food partner, Chartwells.
This award isn’t just about what’s on the plate. It’s about recognising that wellbeing starts in the stomach — that the quality of food, the warmth of service, and the ambience of a shared dining experience are some of the most attractive and important parts of a healthy residential college.
“Great food builds great community,” said Principal Andrew Swan. “When students gather for meals that are nourishing, flavourful and served with care, it creates more than full stomachs — it creates belonging, connection and joy. To win this award is something truly special.”
Why this award matters
The Education Caterer Award is independently judged and goes well beyond taste alone. Assessors conduct site visits and evaluate the entire dining experience against a wide range of criteria, including:
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Operations – service flow, dining room set-up, polished presentation, and a calm, organised kitchen.
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Food – menu variety, balance of flavours, consistency, presentation, temperature, portion sizes, and execution of dietary requirements.
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Service – Food – timeliness, accuracy, plating and delivery, product knowledge, and efficient clearing.
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Service – Beverages – appropriate range and timing of drinks, temperature, presentation and product knowledge.
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Staffing – hygiene and safety standards, teamwork, organisation of duties, professional appearance, and positive interactions with diners.
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Catering outcomes – overall value for money, alignment with the needs of the community, and how well the dining experience meets the service brief.
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Ambience – the overall atmosphere of the dining space, including comfort, décor and the sense of welcome it creates.
In every area, the Mannix–Chartwells partnership stood out, delivering a dining experience that rivals some of the very best in the industry.
Food that fuels body and spirit
At Mannix, dining is not just functional — it’s formational. Since January, Chartwells has helped us:
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Craft menus that nourish the body with balanced, flavoursome and varied options.
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Deliver meals with speed and warmth, giving students comfort and connection in the middle of demanding days.
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Elevate community life through celebratory dining at formal dinners, Family Night and milestone events.
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Make the table a place of inclusion and welcome, with reliable dietary provision and genuine hospitality.
Our Dining Hall is the beating heart of our College. It’s where friendships are forged, milestones are marked, and residents find the daily rhythm that sustains study, sport and service.
A growing list of honours
This is the third major accolade our Dining Hall has received in the past year, following:
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Gold at the 2025 Melbourne Design Awards, recognising the redevelopment and design excellence of the space.
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Excellence in Facility Development at the 2025 APSAA Awards for Excellence, celebrating student-centred improvements.
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And now, the Education Caterer Award at the 2025 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence (VIC & TAS), recognising the quality of food and service.
Together, these honours reflect not just bricks and mortar or menus and meals, but a living culture of community, care and excellence.
