If you’ve ever planned a school camp, a retreat, or a large group event, you’ll know that food can make or break the experience. It’s not just about satisfying hungry stomachs, it’s about providing consistent meals that are safe, nutritious, inclusive, and served with care.

At The Collaroy Centre, we understand the responsibility that comes with feeding thousands of guests each year. That’s why we’ve built a kitchen operation that prioritises hygiene, safety, and quality above all else and we’re proud to say it shows.

Meeting the highest food safety standards

Our kitchen has been recognised by council inspectors as one of the cleanest and most professionally run kitchens on the Northern Beaches. In fact, we’ve had inspectors ask if they can bring their teams to see how it’s done. That’s something we’re genuinely proud of.

Every team member working in our kitchen is trained and certified in food safety protocols, and we follow a strict framework that includes:

• Daily temperature checks and documentation for all food deliveries, fridges, and storage
• Detailed recipe cards that outline exact ingredients, brands, and preparation methods, ensuring allergen and dietary safety
• Controlled substitution policies. Any change to a recipe requires full review and system update before it hits the kitchen
• Sample testing and tracking of meals to support investigation in the rare event of any illness or issue
• A robust food safety plan and allergen matrix to manage risk at every stage of meal prep and delivery

In short: we are meticulous, because the wellbeing of our guests matters deeply to us.

Feeding the many, caring for the individual

Every week, we serve meals to large and diverse groups; students, teachers, church groups, families, community organisations, each with their own preferences and dietary needs. It’s a challenge we take seriously.

While we operate within the structure of a large-group camp environment, our team is committed to:

• Catering for allergy-friendly, vegetarian and gluten-free diets
• Preparing menus with young palates and nutritional value in mind
• Ensuring food is balanced, comforting, and consistent, even if it isn’t quite what you’d get at home

We know that food is personal, and while we can’t meet every taste preference, we work hard to make sure everyone is safely and generously fed.

Why this matters

It’s easy to take a safe, clean meal for granted. But behind every tray, every snack, and every plate of dinner at The Collaroy Centre is a team that’s following industry-leading processes, tracking every detail, and constantly improving.

We believe that great camp experiences start with the basics being done well, and that includes food. So while the feedback we hear most from teachers and group leaders is positive, we’re also open to hearing where we can do better. Because we’re always listening, and always improving.

A note from our team

No kitchen is perfect, especially one feeding hundreds of people each day. But we can say with confidence: we prioritise food safety and care above all else, and we’re proud of the systems, training and commitment that guide our kitchen every day. And if you’ve had a great experience with us? We’d love you to share it on Google Reviews.