Why Australia’s Event Industry Is Choosing the Sushi Platter Over the Sandwich Platter
Walk into any Australian office on a Friday lunch and the catering trolley looks different than it did five years ago. The sandwich platter is still there, but it is sharing space with something new. Glossy sushi platters, neatly compartmentalised into nigiri, maki and sashimi, with a side of edamame and pickled ginger. Sushi catering is no longer a treat for the occasional client lunch. It is becoming the default.
The shift is showing up in the numbers. Sushi consumption in Australia has more than doubled in the past decade, with Google search interest in “sushi catering” alone climbing year on year since 2022. Office catering platforms report sushi as one of their fastest growing categories, and event planners say sushi platters are now the most requested addition to corporate function menus.
So what exactly is sushi catering, why is it taking off, and what should event organisers know before they order? Here is the definitive guide.
“Sushi catering used to be the surprise option on a corporate menu. It is now the headline. Five years ago we were filling in around the edges of sandwich and pizza orders. Today we are running the centre of the table.”
Sushi Jiro spokesperson
What Is Sushi Catering?
Sushi catering is the professional preparation and delivery of sushi platters, boxes or bento for events. It covers everything from a 12 person office lunch to a 500 guest wedding, and it spans every format of sushi: nigiri, maki, sashimi, uramaki, gunkan, aburi, temaki hand rolls and signature creations.
At its core, sushi catering offers something most other catering formats struggle to match. The food arrives pre-portioned, ready to eat, naturally diverse, and presentation-ready. There is no cutlery to coordinate, no buffet line to manage, and no compromise on freshness if it is prepared and delivered on the same day.
For the host, that translates into a meal that looks impressive without any kitchen work at the venue. For the guest, it translates into a wide variety of flavours and dietary options on a single platter. For the planner, it translates into a format that scales cleanly from a 10 person meeting to a thousand person gala.
Why the Shift Is Happening Now
A few forces are driving the growth of sushi event catering in Australia, and they have been quietly building for years.
The cost of catering has shifted. A traditional weekday office catering order of sandwiches, salads and a coffee run sits between $18 and $25 per person in most capital cities. A sushi platter delivered to the office can come in at a similar price point with a much higher perceived value, no plating required.
The dietary conversation has shifted. Today’s office catering audience expects vegetarian, vegan, gluten-friendly and cooked-only options on every order, without a special request. A well-built sushi platter delivers all four out of the box. Avocado maki, vegetable nigiri, cooked tempura prawn rolls and gluten-friendly sashimi can sit on the same platter without complaint.
The visual standard has shifted. Catering is increasingly an Instagram moment. A platter of sushi photographs better than any sandwich tower ever could, and event hosts know it. Coloured roe, lacquered timber boards, sliced lemon, sesame seeds, picked herbs. The presentation is part of the product.
The sushi category has matured. Australian palates have moved well beyond California rolls. The same office that ordered prawn maki three years ago is now requesting aburi salmon, spicy tuna gunkan and temaki hand rolls. The variety supports more interesting catering menus.
“Our catering clients are more confident with sushi than they have ever been. We are getting briefs for aburi platters, signature roll menus, hand roll bars. Five years ago that was a special occasion. Today it is a Tuesday.”
Sushi Jiro spokesperson
What Sushi Catering Services Cover
Most sushi catering services in Australia now offer four core formats, and the right one depends on the event.
Sushi platters. The most common format. A large board or tray of nigiri, maki, sashimi and rolls, presented and delivered. Ideal for office lunches, casual events, birthdays and platters between 10 and 50 guests.
Sushi bento boxes. Individual portioned boxes, one per guest. Ideal for working lunches where each person eats at their desk, hybrid events with takeaway parts, and corporate functions where dietary tracking matters.
Sushi catering for large events. Scaled platter formats for parties, weddings and conferences from 50 guests up. Often includes hot dishes like tempura, gyoza and miso soup to round out the menu.
Live sushi stations. Chef on-site, hand rolling temaki and serving sushi fresh in front of guests. Most premium format, suited to weddings, brand events and high-end corporate functions.
What to Know Before You Order
Five practical points for anyone organising sushi catering for the first time.
- Lead time. Most catering teams ask for 24 to 48 hours notice for standard platters, and 5 to 7 days for large or custom events. The earlier the better, especially for Friday lunches and December bookings.
- Portion sizing. A standard rule of thumb is 8 to 12 pieces per person for a main meal, and 4 to 6 pieces per person as part of a larger spread. Most caterers will help size the order to the event.
- Dietary coverage. Always confirm vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly counts at the time of order. A good sushi catering team will label platters or provide a printable menu card so guests can self-select.
- Delivery timing. Sushi is at its best within 60 to 90 minutes of being made. Aim to have the food arrive 15 to 30 minutes before service so it is fresh but settled.
- Storage on the day. If sushi is sitting for more than 2 hours, it needs to be refrigerated. The best sushi catering teams will provide guidance on the day and minimise the gap between preparation and service.
Where Sushi Catering Sits in 2026
The Australian sushi catering market is at an interesting moment. Demand is outpacing supply in major cities, with corporate teams reporting that their preferred sushi caterer is often booked out two or three weeks in advance during peak periods. The format is moving from “nice to have” to “expected”, especially in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane’s corporate districts.
For event hosts, the takeaway is simple. Sushi catering is no longer the alternative option. It is the front-runner, and the spread of formats means there is a version that fits every event from a 12 person stand-up meeting to a 500 person celebration.
“If you had asked us in 2020 whether sushi catering would replace the sandwich platter for Aussie offices, we would have laughed politely. Today we are turning down orders on busy Fridays because the demand is so strong.”
Sushi Jiro spokesperson For Australian event planners, corporate hosts and anyone looking to put together a memorable spread, the question is no longer whether to include sushi catering. It is who to book.
About Sushi Jiro
Sushi Jiro is one of Australia’s largest sushi chains, with more than twenty locations across Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Founded in Melbourne, the brand operates dine-in, takeaway and express formats serving fresh, expertly made sushi for every part of the day. Sushi Jiro’s catering arm services corporate offices, weddings, parties and large events across Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.