Victoria University Charity Dinner, November 2025

A five-course degustation menu, paired with matching wines all prepared by guest chef Josh Pelham.

In April 2022, the Victorian Racing Club partnered with Crown to manage hospitality across Flemington Racecourse, appointing seasoned Australian Chef Josh Pelham as Executive Chef for over 30 venues. Pelham’s culinary journey began in North Fitzroy’s acclaimed Matteo and with George Calombaris at Fenix, before heading to London with just £500. He spent five formative years at The Square, rising to Sous Chef, then moved to France to lead boutique chalets in Chamonix and later cooked aboard a superyacht for celebrities like Naomi Campbell, Simon Cowell, and Thomas Keller—who later offered Pelham a role at his renowned restaurant, The French Laundry.

Returning to Australia, Pelham took on Head Chef roles at Estelle and Hellenic Hotel, then led the RACV Cape Schanck Resort to its first chefs’ hat. His passion for evolving hospitality experiences saw him take on the Executive Chef role across Caulfield, Sandown, and Mornington for the Melbourne Racing Club, further refining his leadership and culinary vision.

Now at Flemington, Pelham brings a fresh, contemporary approach to dining, with a strong focus on ingredient quality, bold flavours, and innovation. His goal is to elevate the guest experience across both premium hospitality and retail offerings, blending creativity with a deep respect for culinary fundamentals.

The dinner will also feature a silent auction, with all proceeds going towards West Welcome Wagon. West Welcome Wagon is a grassroots, volunteer-powered not-for-profit organisation based in Melbourne’s western suburbs. Since 2013, they have been dedicated to welcoming and supporting asylum seekers and refugees as they rebuild their lives in Australia.

Their mission is simple: to provide practical, essential support to help new arrivals create safe, comfortable homes and feel a sense of belonging in our community. They collect and distribute high-quality donated items—such as furniture, whitegoods, bedding, clothing, and kitchenware—tailored to the unique needs of each household. Many of the people they assist arrive with few possessions and limited resources, so our support can make a world of difference.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Victoria University: VenU Restaurant - Footscray Nicholson Campus, 238A Nicholson Street, Footscray, Australia

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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