THE APA Story & Who we Are!
Launched back in 2015 as a small meal prep business, A Plated Affair slowly evolved into something the Local Sutherland Shire community didn’t even know it was missing.
THE VISION
Memorable Food Experiences
As A Plated Affair has grown and expanded, the demand for catering has led us to service the entire Sydney Region and beyond over the last 9 years! We offer a boutique creative catering solution for all social, private and corporate occasions. From grab and go boxed catering, to buffets and canapes APA has a solution for almost everyone!
Our very experienced team of well known local chefs and support staff, combined with knowledge of the local community and the ever changing food trends is constantly helping us stay on brand and keep our ongoing presence within the local communities.
A Plated Affair stays on the pulse offering delicious handcrafted treats and meals to impress even the most hard to please. Whether entertaining family, friends, colleagues or clients, we are here to provide you with beautifully presented food no matter what the occasion.
THE MISSION
To provide luscious hand crafted catering perfectly presented for every occasion.
We offer an authentic service to ensure we build long lasting relationships with our customers and ensure APA continues to grow. Here at APA we are committed to crafting the most delightful events, with fresh and nutritious foods, bespoke concepts and unsurpassed levels of service. With our combined experience, knowledge, resources, passion and love you are guaranteed to host a truly special occasion.
We are here to make your life easy, simply pick your favourite eats, sit back and relax. Enjoy a peaceful day with no cooking, cleaning or washing up. Hosting has never been so easy and delicious.
THE PHILOSOPHY
We believe nourishing food along with family and laughter is the key to a thriving successful life.
EAT GOOD - FEEL WELL
meet our team
Gracie Gilchrist | Managing Director
Gracie is a local Sutherland Shire Resident but originally from Coffs Harbour, Northern NSW. Married to Jack and mum to her Daughter Millie with twins due in Feb 2025! She has a passion for food and produce that started in the kitchen and home garden at age 6, always entertaining her friends and family. Gracie decided to turn her passion into a full-time career launching APA at age 24 after years working in the construction and pharmacy industry.
Gracies love for food and people is showcased through her creative outlet of catering, and crafting new ideas to service the people of Sydney through good eats and memorable experiences. Gracie has a strong passion for caring for the people of her community and providing that care through food!
Kirsty O’Brien | General Manager + CFO
Kirsty is a local Sutherland Shire Resident born and bred! Married to Andrew and mum to 4 very hungry Teenagers, Tia, Ethan, Seth and Ava! Kirsty joined the APA team back in 2020 in a support role just before COVID hit and changed APA forever! During the COVID impact it was soon realised that Kirsty had so much more to offer APA than just kitchen support!
Kirsty’s extensive life experience as a Mindset Coach and restaurant owner over 20+ years was the perfect accompaniment to match Gracies love for food and eagerness to grow her Catering Vision alongside an authentic business partner who values the same things and working towards the same outcomes.
Kirsty brought to the table all the missing elements with her strong finance background and incredible leadership and mental wellbeing skills.
THE Talent | Production Chefs, OperATions + Support
APA has an extensive range of talent across all areas of the business! From Three highly experienced Chefs with more than 50 years experience between them. Ten+ Kitchen Support Staff who help on the daily ensuring our facility is up to code, food is ready on time and all in accordance to all council, state and legal requirements. Three Logistics team members who drive all over Sydney on the Daily ensuring your food arrives on time, and in the best condition for your event! Along with our Management Team Gracie + Kirsty, you can be assured we will take great care of you and your catering needs!
the future of apa
Gracie + Kirsty combined their partnership officially in 2024 as co owners of A Plated Affair Catering! This all female run business has a serious vision of impacting the greater Sydney Community with Memorable Food Experiences 7 days a week!
APA is always evolving with new concepts, new food ideas, new social trends all while keeping up to date with the latest wants, tastes and food needs of Sydney and online community!
Gracie is taking some time off in early 2025 to give birth to twin babies and enjoy some family time, while Kirsty will continue her role as APA General Manager overseeing and managing all operations, logistics, administration, finance, and day to day running requirements of APA.
Gracie + Kirsty are absolutely thrilled to be coming into our 10th year of Business during 2025 and hope to have some special exciting competitions and new menus to celebrate such an incredible achievement.
We hope to continue building long lasting relationships and friendships with all our clients in the upcoming year. APA has the motivation to keep pursuing and growing our corporate clientele with the focus on corporate partnerships for 2025.
