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It’s that time of year to start thinking about work Christmas party ideas. A work Christmas lunch is tradition, but if you did that last year and the year before, it might be time for something a little more fun and exciting. Think hands-on foodie experiences that’ll be talked about after the new year hits—an event that gives people the opportunity to connect and celebrate all at once. Good food and good company are still the main event. It’s tradition with a twist!
We've put together some plans for your next Christmas lunch that put a twist on the traditional team gathering. From food tours and cooking classes to high teas and cocktails, these team Christmas lunch ideas are special enough to leave a lasting impression.
1. High tea with chocolate treats
If you’re after a light morning tea with something sweet to gift your team, join this chocolate making workshop in Brisbane that comes with a high tea! You and the team will learn how to temper fine Belgian chocolate to achieve a perfect glossy sheen and satisfying snap, while mastering the techniques professional chocolatiers use to create tasty filled chocolates. Enjoy a relaxed and homely atmosphere, snack as you go and leave with your very own box of handmade chocolates. Just be warned, they may not last the drive home!
Can you request a private class? Yes! From 5 to 25 guests.
2. Cocktail and dumpling making
Ready for a whole lot of fun? Take your team over to Honkas Bar + Eats in Sydney and get into the Christmas spirit with this cocktail and dumpling making class. Unwrap a festive, hands-on experience for this work Christmas lunch. The team will get to step behind the bar for an interactive mixology session to shake up two signature cocktails, once everyone is nice an comfortable, they’ll learn from experienced chefs to fold two styles of perfected dumplings, packed with fresh herbs and spices. At the end, you’ll get to enjoy all of your goodies, and we hear that no one walks away hungry after a Honkas dumpling class!
Lacee G. may be able to convince you about how great this session is for a team event:
“We had a corporate event here last Wednesday, and it was an absolute hit! The dumplings were incredible, and the cocktails were absolutely delicious. Our host was so much fun, made everyone feel welcome, and did an amazing job leading the class.
I'd highly recommend these classes for corporate teams, groups of friends, or anyone looking for a fun and interactive experience. It was such a fantastic event, and the best part was that so many people emailed me the next day to thank me for organising it. Everyone had an amazing time, and I'd definitely do it again!”
Can you request a private class? Absolutely. Honkas offer private classes daily for 10 to 70 people.
3. Pizza masterclass with lunch
Sitting down for a pizza, a little basic, but what about mastering the art of pizza making, then eating your own creations? In this Melbourne-based class, you and your team will be welcomed with a coffee before diving right into the dough-making process together. This is a great chance to chat about tips and tricks, or simply talk about holiday plans and New Year's resolutions.
After making your dough, everyone will head into the kitchen to stretch their pizza and watch the chef cook it to perfection.
The whole team will finally get to enjoy the fruits of their labour—a delicious pizza paired with a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic beverage of their choice. Now that’s a pizza party that’s not only social but will give your team a bunch of new skills to take home and try out, too!
Can you request a private class? Yes, you can, for 15 to 30 guests.
Turn it into a full event with these top Christmas function ideas for workplaces.
4. High tea and gin tasting
If the team would like a little luxury, head to Bass and Flinders Distillery in Melbourne for a gin high tea tasting experience. Although high tea doesn’t always seem like a filling lunch, in this case, it is! Recent taster, Travis B., was “surprised by the amount of food,” and wants to come back for lunch with a friend!
You and the team can settle into this peaceful distillery setting and celebrate the season with a laid-back festive afternoon. You’ll each get to sample exquisite local fare and hand-crafted gins, all while discovering the unique history and craft behind every pour.
“Amazing experience. Fabulous tasting and best high tea we’ve ever had. Superb ingredients in everything. Lovely staff. Definitely worth doing.” - Mandy R.
Can you request a private tasting? No, but you can book for up to 20 guests. You may even get a sunny spot on the balcony for the ultimate summer vibes!
5. Food and street art tour
How about an adventurous idea for your work Christmas lunch? If you and the team are based in Sydney, try this Newtown food and street art walking tour. Gather the team and immerse yourselves in a delicious journey through colourful Newtown. Kick off at the iconic "I Have A Dream" mural on King Street for a quick taste of the area's history, then explore three to four multicultural food stops—with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options included. The cuisine options you’ll explore include Egyptian, Turkish, Italian, Japanese, “Australian” and more!
Walk and talk as you take in Newtown's famous street art before wrapping up with a craft beer tasting at a local brewery. It’s always good to get moving around Christmas time, when our bodies need preparing for all the feasting we’ll be doing (even if we are indulging in some nibbles along the way!).
Can you request a private tour? Yes! For 6 to 30 guests.
6. A Spanish cooking class
Spanish cuisine like Tapas is festive by nature—the sharing, the sangria, the music everyone can’t help but dance to! Grab your team and head to this Spanish cooking class in Adelaide and get ready to be praised for the most delicious work Christmas lunch ever.
You’ll all be making an entire Spanish menu from croquettes to paella to churros and a whole lot of dishes in between—of course, you’ll all be able to eat your creations over lunch, too!
“We had a fantastic day with my team during a cooking bonding session this week. The staff was amazing, providing a welcoming and supportive atmosphere from start to finish. The activity was a perfect break from our usual routine, offering a unique and enjoyable way to bond. Everyone had a blast learning new recipes and techniques. The cooking session was well-organised, educational, and a lot of fun. I appreciated how the staff accommodated everyone’s dietary needs, ensuring that everyone felt included. I would absolutely do it again.” - Sinead M.
Can you request a private cooking class? Yes! For 16 to 30 guests.
7. French dinner with live music
If you want a hint of a traditional work Christmas lunch with some pizzazz, try this French bistro dinner with a side of live jazz! (It’s so fun it made us rhyme).
Here, your team will sit back and relax in a beautiful rustic venue and enjoy being treated to a luxury six-course French feast with the charming vibes of a 1930's 'Paris Jazz Cafe'. This one’s a dinner, not lunch, so you may have to double-check people’s availability, but Christmas is the time to come together over shared food, music and warm vibes, so this may just be the perfect twist on that classic team ‘lunch’.
Can you request a private dinner? Yep! For 13 to 36 guests.
Whether you choose a hands-on culinary workshop, a vibrant street food tour, or an interactive cocktail class, you’ll have your team connecting, celebrating and enjoying enough to get well into holiday mode. Plus, any of these ideas for your work Christmas lunch is a party the team will talk about well into the new year!
