A collection of collaborative,
creative and curious minds.
Never one to think small, we are…
Architects of Experience
Known for our imagination and ingenuity, we lead with unique ideas and find creative ways to make them possible. From singular moments to major events we think big picture about hospitality and never shy from the complexity of crafting the ultimate experience.
Masters of High Touch Hospitality
When it comes to working together, we are hand in glove. We pride ourselves on the close relationships we maintain with our clients – knowing them, their families, and businesses with reverence and respect. We are regarded as trusted partners that deliver every detail to the letter.
Experts in the Event Economy
We believe that events have the power to transform places and cities, to create more opportunities for people, and to showcase a bigger Australia. We champion the creativity and flare of modern Australian hospitality, and work with the country’s biggest events and venues to lead the industry forward.
Fun is Fundamental
We never lose sight of fun as it is the flame of a great party. Our joie de vivre is incendiary, and we ensure that every single person on our team and in your entourage is alive with excitement and joy.
From start to finish, we deliver…
Experts in the event economy, we partner with Australia’s largest festivals to continuously reimagine the hospitality experience.
We believe B2B doesn’t mean business to boring. We transform corporate events into remarkable branded experiences.
Local and international events including weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, bar mitzvah, and every milestone in between.
The Cornucopia of Big
With origins in both Greek and Roman mythology, The Cornucopia, also named the Horn of Plenty, is a symbol of abundance and nourishment. Said to be derived from a tale of young Zeus, who, not knowing his strength, broke off his milkmaid goat Amaltheia’s horns. The horn had the divine power to provide unending nourishment, as Amaltheia had to Zeus. Modern depictions show a horn-shaped basket overflowing with flowers, fruits and vegetables.
The Cornucopia of Big is a joyful representation of our collective of collaboratives, creative and curious minds. It is the generosity, the people and their personalities, the big moments and the lasting memories. It is the foundation for the way we create, why we create and how we bring it to life. It is our bold, brave, beautiful, big world. It is the smallest detail to the biggest moment. It is the celebration of our all.
Meet The Team
The Cornucopia of Big encapsulates the world of The Big Group. It is an expression of who we are, what we do, why we do it.
The Chief Chooks
(C Suite!)
Clucky and plucky, the chief chooks show unwavering passion for our clients, parties, and people. Always racing around in their runners, setting a lively pace for the team, bringing great energy to every event. Their enthusiasm is infectious.
The Conch
(Creative Team)
Calling all creatives, the conch comes from a sea of inspiration where deep currents accelerate ideas and talent rises with the tides. The Conch jet sets around the world to create the most memorable moments bringing back rich learnings and experience.
The Prawn
(Culinary Team)
The prawn spends their day experimenting with flavours and textures to create culinary adventures. With hospitality at their core, they are dressed in their chef whites, chefs hat and of course, a pair of crocs. Never one to sit still, they design food to surprise and delight.
The Crocodile
(Behind The Scenes Team)
Runnings the day-to-day operations of the business, the Crocodile ensures everything is smooth sailing. With an encouraging shiny toothed smile, they are never one to break a sweat (literally!). Cool, calm and connected. Quick on their feet due to their crocodile skin cowboy boots.
The Lyrebird
(Retail Team)
The elegant Lyrebird works hard to support the team and spread the Big love. Always up for fun, the Lyrebird loves a long lunch, a bottomless brunch, and even a night out. With their high heels on, visiting all our bars, restaurants and cafes.
The Rainbow Fish
(Major Events Team)
A big picture thinker, the Rainbow Fish always puts Australia on Show. Body glitter shimmering on their multi-coloured scales, reflects their spectrum of experience canvassing the globe to bring world class ideas to Australia’s Major events.
The Cockatoo
(Sales Team)
Known as the happiness hunters and party starters – think of the Cockatoo like Indiana Jones meets Saturday Night Fever. Quick on their feet with striking looks, The Cockatoo is a little bit of a show off, toned legs, and their favourite dancing shoes (converse sneakers of course).
The Squid
(Event Managers Team)
Many hands, many duties do not make for light work. The Squid is a multi-talented, multi-tasking mastermind. But no time wasters please, there’s a party to plan, cocktails to delivery all while wearing rollerblades.
The Camel
(Beverage team)
This thirsty Camel often indulges, bubbling fizz, pinot, aperitif – whatever you fancy! With a sophisticated but unfussy palette, their enthusiasm for booze and even non booze is second to none. A few scars and tattoos are reminders of the parties past. Work boots and strong legs to keep those humps afloat.
The Penguin
(Front of house Team)
Determined and fearless, the Penguin is ready and willing to face any challenge. Under their watch, everyone will have a great time. Fizz top up? Quiche disaster? Spilt milk? No worries, they think quick and move fast, even though they are close to the ground, they are always well dressed and booted. They are all class.
The Emu
(Finance Team)
Affectionately referred to as the bean counters, the Emus are focused but friendly. Wearing quirky glasses, stripy socks, knobbly legs, and shoeless – don’t be fooled, the Emu means business.
Kate Sellars Jones, a friend and talented artist, embraced our vision to craft a Cornucopia of characters, drawing exclusively from Australian flora and fauna. Her creations masterfully represent the diverse tribes within The Big Group, capturing the essence of each through this unique and imaginative fusion.
Our History
Founded and privately owned by Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, The Big Group now employs over 1200 staff entertaining more than 1,000,000 guests per year.
BIG and Small Catering and Events Co., founded by Bruce and Chyka Keebaugh, started in family spaces with Yellow Pages ads, offering corporate boardroom lunches.
Provencale, their first retail food store, opened on Malvern Road, bringing South of France flavours to Toorak, coinciding with Bruce and Chyka’s wedding.
Now The Big Group, the company lands its first corporate catering contract with Palmer & Co. and starts at The Old Treasury Building.
Flowers Decoration & Design, spearheaded by Chyka Keebaugh, launches as The Big Group’s key arm for wedding and corporate event styling.
The Big Group moves to Cubitt Street, Cremorne, establishing new offices, a central kitchen, and dispatch, paving the way for expansion.
The Big Group establishes The Design Depot to focus on event hire and brand activation.
Champions at Federation Square, The Big Group’s inaugural custom-built venue for 350 guests, opens.
Luminare, a luxurious penthouse venue with a sky deck in South Melbourne, starts its operations.
Capital Kitchen at Chadstone opens, redefining shopping centre dining for 450 guests, as The Big Group manages food services for major corporate offices.
The Big Group reopens the iconic Art Deco Myer Mural Hall.
The Big Group enters the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra, introducing retail and an event space.
The Glasshouse, a contemporary event space with a capacity for 1000 guests, opens its doors in the historic Melbourne Olympic Park precinct.
The Big Group goes global, staging events in Dubai, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Buenos Aires, India, Vietnam, and Europe.
Amid COVID-19, The Big Group launched The Commons Collective, indoor/outdoor venues with performance spaces, gardens, and Bar Moubray, accommodating 1,200.
The Big Group debuts in New South Wales, unveiling ILUMINA, a 1000-guest event space in the CBD.
