MCEC appoints Jun Seng Lim as Senior Head Chef
By Lisa Miller|
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) has appointed Jun Seng Lim to Senior Head Chef, welcoming his distinctive blend of luxury hospitality experience, multicultural influences and culinary innovation to its renowned food and beverage offering.
Seng joins MCEC following senior culinary roles at The Ritz-Carlton and W Melbourne. He brings a produce-focused, flavour-led approach to his cooking, with a particular focus on delivering restaurant-quality food at event scale.
"At MCEC, I want to develop food that is distinctly Melbourne: multicultural, produce-driven, contemporary and sustainable," said Seng. "Our guests should be able to recognise a sense of place in the food."
In his new role, Seng will help shape MCEC's culinary direction and develop menus that combine bold Southeast Asian flavours with local produce, reflecting Melbourne's unique multicultural outlook.
Seng's approach is shaped by a desire to create dishes that connect people with culture, place and memory, while bringing a contemporary perspective to the food he grew up with in Malaysia.
"I want guests to remember the dishes, but also the feeling behind the food. Perhaps it reminds them of home, introduces them to a new culture or changes their expectation of what event food can be," said Seng.
Reflecting on Seng's appointment, General Manager of Operations, Monica Rizzi said, "Seng brings an outstanding combination of technical expertise, creativity and cultural insight. His passion for authentic flavours and commitment to quality will help us continue delivering exceptional dining experiences that leave a lasting impression on our customers and guests."
Seng's appointment comes as MCEC continues to evolve its culinary offering to reflect the diverse tastes and expectations of its guests, including the growing number of international delegates who visit the venue each year. The 2027 menus will introduce new Southeast Asian influences, with guests able to experience fragrant Malay and vibrant Thai flavours.