WITH 50 kilograms of ham and 1200 Sydney rock oysters, it’s likely Rydges Mount Panorama will host Bathurst’s biggest Christmas lunch this year.
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Close to 300 people have booked a seat at the Christmas Day buffet, trumping last year’s effort by almost 100 people.
Guests will be waited on by 15 hotel staff as they tuck into a traditional Australian feast.
Jessie Haley from Rydges Mount Panorama said dining out on the annual holiday was becoming more popular as people opted for an “easier” alternative to hosting at home.
“It takes the stress out of preparing a meal at home, I think that’s why it’s been so popular with the local community,” Ms Haley said.
The $99 price tag provides guests access to a 20-metre Christmas buffet, complete with carvery and seafood centrepiece. They will dine on roast pork, scotch fillet steak, double smoked honey glazed ham, soft shell crab and more.
Around 60 kilograms of tiger prawns have been ordered for the occasion, which will also feature a selection of desserts including fruit mince pies, traditional yule log and plum pudding with brandy custard.
Ms Haley said the luncheon had attracted the attention of couples, as well as groups of up to 20 people. She said most guests were local, though inquiries had come from around the Central West.
“The most popular demographic would be older people,” she said. “It really is about ease and comfort. There’s no fuss, no cleaning and plenty to eat at a reasonable price.”
The three-hour sitting will be held in the hotel’s function room and Chicane Bar and Restaurant. Ms Haley said both service areas were booked to capacity.
“It’ll be a full house,” she said. “We had so many inquiries – we could have easily had 500 people here on Christmas Day.”
Christmas parties have brought a further 850 people into the hotel in the lead-up to the big day.
Ms Haley said Rydges would continue to build its reputation as a premier function centre in 2013.