Melbourne Events Company, STELLA & CO sidestep to virtual dinner party series to share the best of Melbourne hospitality at home
Sally Crinis founder and director of Stella & Co specialize in the project management of events, activations, sponsorship, and brand experiences. Stella & Co have a strong portfolio for the initiation and management of some of Melbourne’s most popular and loved events including, Crown Metropol’s opening event, multiple restaurant and luxury retail openings, Riverside activations, cross complex campaigns, which included Christmas, Lunar New Year, Spring Racing Carnival, TV Week Logies, Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Melbourne Fashion Festival, AFL Grand Final series, and The Australian Open.
Sally has seen an opportunity to create something positive in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and has launched her latest concept ‘ISODATE’, a virtual dinner party series designed to share the best of Melbourne’s hospitality in the home.
On Tuesday 7 April 2020, You know it’s a party when you get the likes of Bec Judd, Nadia Bartel, Lauren Phillips, Jessie Murphy and even a (shirtless) Hamish Blake in one room, and that’s exactly what digital dinner party series Isodate sets out to do.
“Like most other event agencies, hospitality companies and people in the entertainment industry, I lost six months of my scheduled events within 24 hours. I needed to focus on something positive and special events and social interaction, connectivity and togetherness are primary needs of every human being and the COVID-19 pandemic is changing the behaviours dramatically,” said Crinis.
“The key drivers for me were to find a way to still have shared experiences, feeling of belongingness, connecting to friends, getting glammed up and laughter together. I wanted to invite a group to do the same thing at the same time in their own homes and digitally connect. Details, like eating the same food, drinking the same cocktails, listening to the same music, playing the same games, talking and seeing each other via devices, is the closest way I can help connect friends,” Crinis adds.
The first installment, held two weeks ago, was a great success bringing some joy and fun back into people’s social lives (or lack thereof) and testament to Crinis’ vision.
The dinner party saw Judd, Bartel, Phillips, and Murphy join the fun alongside some other key members of Melbourne’s social scene including Suzy Eskander (Sally’s sister), Lana Wilkinson, Lorinska Merrington, Kylie Brown, Chris Kontos, Michelle Greene, Jane Scandizzo as well as a special guest appearance by comedian Hamish Blake.
Photo by Sam Tabone
The dynamic new concept Isodate offers the ultimate group date experience during the COVID 19 isolation restrictions while supporting our local hospitality industry creating a beautiful, quality in-home experience, albeit via Zoom.
The next event took place on Thursday 9 April at 8 pm and was by invitation only, partnering with award-winning Australian sparkling mineral water brand CAPI and Four Pillars Gin providing the cocktails and iconic laneway eatery, Chin Chin sorting the food.
Head of Innovation at CAPI Thurman Wise also made a guest appearance hosting a cocktail making class using the CAPI sodas and garnishes included in the dinner party box to create an ‘All Aussie G&T’ and ‘Chin CAPI Chin Smash’ for an added interactive element.
Crinis has plans to offer the concept to the public, providing the tools for guests to host their own virtual parties with concepts, logistics, and brand partners to provide delicious meals and drinks, delivered straight to guests’ doors.
All guests need to do is add the ice and isolate!
Instagram @_isodate_
Website https://stellaco.com.au/
By Melinda Sullivan
