Gemelli Bespoke at Amex Tennis Town & Nedbank Polo: Bespoke Catering Built Around the Experience

Great event catering is about more than serving great food. It is about understanding the occasion, the audience and the experience a brand wants to create, and then designing a food and hospitality offering that becomes part of that experience. 

Gemelli Bespoke, the off-site catering and events arm of Gemelli, brought exactly that to two standout Amex experiences: Amex Tennis Town and the Amex Café at the Nedbank Polo. 

From developing event-specific menus to delivering polished service on the day, these events demonstrate what Gemelli Bespoke is designed to do: take the Gemelli experience beyond the restaurant and adapt it to a completely different environment. 

Taking Gemelli to Amex Tennis Town  

In July, the Gemelli Bespoke team catered at Amex Tennis Town, creating a food experience that could sit comfortably alongside a premium sporting event. 

The menus developed for 11 and 12 July combined hors d'oeuvres, substantial dishes, vegetarian options and desserts, allowing guests to experience a broad selection of Gemelli's food throughout the event. 

The offering included dishes such as Prawn Clusters with Lemon Aioli, BBQ Spicy Chicken Bites and Braised Lamb Spring Rolls, alongside larger dishes including Smoked Beef Ribs, Grilled Kingklip, Gemelli's Spicy Chicken and the "Basotho" Lamb Chops. 

The menu also evolved across the event. Guests on 12 July could enjoy dishes including Oxtail Rigatoni, Wild Mushroom Gnocchi and Zucchini Fritters, with desserts ranging from Sticky Toffee Pudding and Berry Cheesecake to Chocolate Brownie and Tiramisu Brownie. 

This variety was important. Bespoke event catering requires more than reproducing a restaurant menu in another location. The menu needs to work for the venue, format, guest journey and overall event experience. 

What the Client Had to Say 

Following Amex Tennis Town, the team received feedback from an Equus Collection representative that speaks directly to this approach: 

“The Gemelli team is efficient, professional and uber talented! We loved working with a group of passionate professionals, whose expertise and experience shines through in what they deliver.” 

“Not only did they understand what we wanted to achieve and showcase to our guests, but they executed it to perfection.” 

“The food was very well presented, tasty and the service of every single staff member on the day was top-notch! I can highly recommend Gemelli Bespoke for any event!” 

Why Bespoke Catering Matters for Brand Experiences 

When a company hosts clients, partners, employees or VIP guests, every touchpoint contributes to how the event - and ultimately the brand - is experienced. 

Food is one of those touchpoints. A thoughtfully designed menu can reinforce the quality of the event. Professional service can make hundreds of individual guest interactions feel seamless. Presentation can contribute to the visual identity of the occasion. And a hospitality team that understands the brief can become an extension of the event team itself. 

For corporate events, sporting events, brand activations and premium hospitality experiences, this is where bespoke catering becomes particularly valuable. The question is no longer simply, "What food should we serve?" It becomes: "What experience are we trying to create for our guests?" 

Plan Your Next Event with Gemelli Bespoke

If you’re planning a corporate function, private celebration, or brand experience, let the Gemelli Bespoke team create a menu designed specifically for your event. 

From concept to execution, we craft culinary experiences that leave a lasting impression. 

Enquire about Gemelli Bespoke catering and let us bring the Gemelli experience to your next event.