Caterer branches out

Oliver’s at Braddon in the Mode 3 building is the venture of Oliver Buecher, a long-time caterer in Canberra.

Buecher’s company is Edge Catering, which will operate from one unit in the building, and in another he will open a cafe where you can eat or order takeaway from 7am to 5.30pm. As he puts it, you can get a burger at 7am, a doughnut with chocolate sauce at 5.29pm, and Asian meals, pasta and sandwiches – with the option to pre-order online. At night, it will be a function space, and Buecher says they’ve spent $900,000 on the fit-out.

Buecher set up Connoisseur Catering, which he subsequently sold, and had the catering contract at the Labor Club in Belconnen.

This Friday, he’s in charge of the menu for the Valentine’s Day train. The “what?”, you and me both ask. This is the train run by the Australian Railway Historical Society, where you travel from Canberra to Goulburn and back over sunset (leaving 6.15pm, returning 11.45pm). You can dine in the Heritage car, and listen to the Canberra Brass Swing Band for afters.

The menu offers prawn cocktail or pumpkin and fetta tart, beef Wellington or grilled chicken, and pavlova or brownies for dessert ($155 in the air-conditioned carriage; $135 without, 6232 6405, canberrarailwaymuseum.org). Sounds very soothing.