Bringing Adelaide Fringe to Life at Circus Centre Melbourne
Rodney Van Oirschot
Four Leaves Cafe x Classic Catering: Bringing Adelaide Fringe to Life at Circus Centre Melbourne
Adelaide Fringe came to Melbourne — and Four Leaves Cafe, in partnership with our catering arm Classic Catering, was honoured to help bring the magic to life at Circus Centre Melbourne’s very first event. Hosted in the creative heart of Collingwood, this celebration gathered artists, performers, and culture lovers for an afternoon of connection, creativity, and exceptional food.
From concept to delivery, our unified team brought the flavour, quality, and hospitality that both Adelaide Fringe and Four Leaves Cafe are known for. With a menu designed by Executive Chef Rodney Van Oirschot of Classic Catering and seamless coordination led by our events team, the day showcased what we do best: turning milestone moments into unforgettable culinary experiences.
How Four Leaves Cafe and Classic Catering Work Together
Four Leaves Cafe is our front-of-house hospitality brand and community hub.
Classic Catering is our dedicated events and off-site catering division – both ventures being led by Executive Chef Rodney Van Oirschot.
For large-scale events, festivals, and corporate activations, Four Leaves Cafe partners with Classic Catering to design, prepare, and deliver bespoke menus with professional event coordination.
This collaboration lets us bring Four Leaves’ neighbourhood warmth and brand values to the stage, while leveraging Classic Catering’s production kitchen, logistics expertise, and culinary innovation. You get one integrated team, one point of contact, and the best of both worlds.
For the Adelaide Fringe event at Circus Centre Melbourne, Classic Catering supplied all food preparation and delivery, while the venue’s team managed onsite service.
What is Adelaide Fringe?
Adelaide Fringe is Australia’s largest open-access arts festival — and one of the biggest fringe festivals in the world. It celebrates comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, visual art, music, and dance with a spirit of inclusivity and bold experimentation.
When Adelaide Fringe extends beyond South Australia, as it did for this Melbourne activation, it brings that same openness and joy. For Four Leaves Cafe and Classic Catering, partnering on this event felt natural: our shared values of creativity, community, and accessibility align with the festival’s DNA.
The Venue: Circus Centre Melbourne, Collingwood
Circus Centre Melbourne is a brand-new hub for circus arts, physical theatre, and contemporary performance – purpose-built for aerial arts, acrobatics, and creative training. Its industrial-chic aesthetic, soaring ceilings, and open plan made the perfect canvas for a festival-style gathering.
Our Four Leaves x Classic Catering team worked closely with the venue to design guest-friendly food offerings that complemented the artwork and installations. The goal: enhance the experience without overwhelming the space.
The Menu: Designed and Prepared by Classic Catering, Curated by Four Leaves
At Four Leaves, food is part of the storytelling. For this Adelaide Fringe celebration, Classic Catering’s Executive Chef Rodney Van Oirschot created a seasonal, visually striking, and inclusive menu – with gourmet vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options alongside classic favourites. Every item was made in-house at Classic Catering’s production kitchen for freshness, flavour, and full control over ingredients. Four Leaves’ events team curated the selection to suit a roaming, festival atmosphere.
The Full Menu
House-made Sausage Rolls with Tomato Sauce
Premium pork, herbs, and buttery puff pastry, served warm with house tomato sauce.
Mushroom and Goats Cheese Arancini (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)
Golden risotto pearls with sautéed mushrooms, creamy goats cheese, and herbs.
Roasted Corn and Sweet Chilli Empanadas (Vegan)
Flaky, plant-based pastry filled with roasted corn, capsicum, and a touch of sweet heat.
Pumpkin and Spinach Empanadas (Vegan)
Hearty roasted pumpkin with wilted spinach, garlic, and warming spices.
Bocconcini, Cherry Tomato and Basil Skewers (Vegetarian, Gluten-Free)
Caprese-style skewers finished with balsamic glaze — light and refreshing.
Lamb Kofta with Yoghurt Sauce (Gluten-Free)
Spiced lamb skewers with cooling yoghurt and mint.
House-made Meatballs with Napoli Dipping Sauce (Gluten-Free)
Tender beef meatballs with a rich, slow-cooked Napoli.
Why Dietary Inclusivity Matters
Festival audiences are diverse – culturally, ethically, and nutritionally. We believe inclusivity isn’t a trend; it’s essential hospitality. Together, Four Leaves Cafe and Classic Catering ensure:
Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items are as indulgent and satisfying as their traditional counterparts.
Menus are clearly signposted so guests can make informed choices.
Flavour parity is non-negotiable – no compromises on taste or presentation.
The Team Behind the Scenes
Great events are built on collaboration. For this Adelaide Fringe celebration, the team brought planning, precision, and passion.
Lauren Finch – Event Coordination for Adelaide Fringe
Led logistics, timelines, supplier coordination, and menu confirmations to ensure a smooth, guest-first experience.
Chef Rodney Van Oirschot – Culinary Direction (Classic Catering)
Designed and prepared items that were easy to enjoy while mingling, visually striking, inclusive of dietary needs, and resilient across service windows.
Four Leaves Cafe – Brand and Guest Experience
Curated the service style and menu selection to reflect Four Leaves’ welcoming, community-first ethos.
Circus Centre Melbourne – Onsite Service
The venue’s team managed food stations, presentation, and guest service throughout the event.
Why Choose the Four Leaves x Classic Catering Model
Festival and cultural event catering demands mobility, speed, and consistency – without sacrificing delight. Our integrated model delivers:
Inclusive menus with genuine variety for all dietary needs
High-quality, house-made food with no shortcuts
Experienced production teams for multi-venue or interstate activations
Flexible service models: full-service, drop-off, or hybrid arrangements
Professional presentation that elevates your event aesthetic
One brief, one contract, one accountable team
We don’t just supply food. We craft culinary experiences that align with your brand, values, and vision.
A Proud Moment
Being part of Circus Centre Melbourne’s inaugural event – and an Adelaide Fringe activation – was an honour. It embodied everything we love: creativity, collaboration, and community. As Four Leaves Cafe with Classic Catering, we aim to create moments that matter, whether at a festival, corporate gala, wedding, or intimate private celebration.
Plan Your Next Event with Four Leaves Cafe + Classic Catering
Whether you’re producing a Fringe activation, a gallery opening, or a year-end celebration, we’ll craft a bespoke menu and delivery plan that fits your brief, venue, and audience.
What you can expect:
Bespoke menus by Executive Chef Rodney Van Oirschot (Classic Catering)
Full dietary inclusivity: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and more
Flexible service arrangements: full-service, drop-off, or partnered with your venue team
Seamless coordination from proposal to delivery
One integrated Four Leaves x Classic Catering point of contact
Get in touch:
Phone: 0423 877 736
Email: rodney@fourleavescafe.com
Web: fourleavescafe.com
Catering division: functions@classiccatering.com.au
Let’s make your next event as vibrant, inclusive, and unforgettable as Adelaide Fringe at Circus Centre Melbourne.
Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ
Four Leaves Cafe and Classic Catering operate as two integrated yet distinct arms under a shared vision:
- Four Leaves Cafe serves as the front-of-house hospitality brand and community-facing hub, known for its warm, neighborhood-centric atmosphere.
- Classic Catering is the dedicated off-site catering and event production arm, equipped with a professional kitchen, logistics infrastructure, and culinary innovation capabilities.
For large-scale events — such as festivals, corporate functions, and cultural activations — the two entities partner seamlessly to deliver:
- Bespoke menu design
- Coordinated event logistics
- Unified guest experience
- One point of contact for clients
This integrated model ensures that the neighborhood warmth of Four Leaves is preserved while leveraging Classic Catering’s operational scale and expertise.
Clients benefit from a proven, scalable, and values-driven partnership model that delivers:
- Inclusive menus with authentic variety for vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs.
- High-quality, house-made food — never outsourced or compromised.
- Experienced teams capable of handling multi-venue and interstate activations (as demonstrated with this Adelaide Fringe event in Melbourne).
- Flexible service models: full-service, drop-off, or hybrid, depending on venue and client needs.
- Professional presentation that complements and elevates your event’s aesthetic.
- One brief, one contract, one accountable team — streamlining communication and reducing complexity.
This integrated approach ensures reliability, creativity, and consistency — whether for a 50-person gathering or a 500-person festival activation.
Dietary inclusivity is a core principle, not an afterthought. Four Leaves Cafe and Classic Catering ensure accessibility through:
- Equal indulgence: Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items are crafted to match (or exceed) traditional options in flavour, texture, and presentation.
- Clear labelling: All menu items are signposted with dietary information (e.g., Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free).
- No flavour compromise: Taste and quality are never sacrificed for dietary compliance.
- Informed choices: Guests can confidently select dishes that align with their preferences and needs.
This approach reflects the brand’s commitment to inclusive hospitality in diverse cultural settings.
Yes, Classic Catering provides full bar services including signature cocktails, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages. Our experienced, RSA-certified bartenders ensure a seamless service experience at any event.
We cater to a wide range of events including weddings, corporate functions, private parties, memorial services, and cultural events like those during the Adelaide Fringe. Our flexible menu options ensure we can meet your needs, no matter the occasion.
Yes! All dishes from both Four Leaves Cafe and Classic Catering are overseen by Executive Chef Rodney Van Oirschot, ensuring a cohesive culinary experience across our café and catering offerings.
For café visits, come see us at 37 Greville Rd, Rosanna. For catering inquiries, email us at functions@classiccatering.com.au or call 0423 877 736. We’d love to help make your event memorable with great food and service.
