Simon Marafioti is the Food & Beverage Infrastructure Manager for Delaware North at the Australian Open tennis tournament. He has worked for Delaware North for 2 years and this is his 3rd Australian Open. His role involves planning and managing the build of temporary catering infrastructure as well as equipping permanent facilities to serve hundreds of thousands of guests. This includes drawing outlet designs, discussing equipment needs with departments, and arranging supplier quotes and deliveries. The biggest change this year is focusing on the tournament earlier from August and working more closely with kitchen operations and culinary teams.

1. DAY 3 -21 January 2015 MIN 18°C | MAX 27°C
Rain clearing
Simon Marafioti – Food & Beverage
Infrastructure Manager
How long have you been with Delaware North?
I’ve been working for Delaware North for 2 years. I started in
December 2012. This will be my 3rd Australian Open.
What is your role?
I plan and manage the build of temporary Delaware North catering
& hospitality infrastructure across Melbourne & Olympic Parks,
as well as fitting out permanent infrastructure with necessary
equipment to cater for hundred of thousands of guests during the
Australian Open. I work closely with all departments - Culinary,
Retail, Corporate and Tournament – planning and providing all
required equipment and services.
My role involves drawing all outlets, kitchens and dining areas
on a design program called AutoCAD then submitting plans to
Tennis Australia for inclusion in their site overlay. I discuss with all
departments their equipment requirements and arrange quotes and
the delivery schedule with suppliers. This year’s tournament will see
additional sponsors’ suites and kitchens and the integration of a large
production kitchen on The River Terrace. Café Arena will also be air
conditioned for the first time.
Tell us about your experience working
within Stores, Corporate and Build and how
the roles/areas differ
Working in Stores gave me an insight into the different types of stock,
food, drink and supplies that each Delaware North department
deals with. The 2:30am starts were interesting, but you quickly fall
into a routine. Working in Team Corporate, I was responsible for
managing the corporate runners and all equipment and stock for
all corporate areas during the tournament. Creating a Corporate
Equipment Registry and managing the purchases of new equipment
were also my responsibility. The Build has given me the opportunity
to learn AutoCAD, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. The Projects Team
is where I would like to continue working with Delaware North, post
tournament, and contribute with the planning and management of
redeveloping the Melbourne & Olympic Parks Precinct.
What is the biggest change and difference
this year?
The biggest difference for me this year is beginning to focus on the
tournament from August. In the past, my full focus didn’t shift to
Australian Open mode until later in the year. Also, working closely
with kitchen equipment and culinary operations is a new experience
for me as well as gaining a greater understanding of back of house
operations. I’ve enjoyed the challenges and tasks that Build has
thrown my way.