Meals

It’s no secret that the food at St Mary’s is among the best on the Crescent! The dedicated kitchen team, headed by head chefs John and Zora, prepare three delicious meals each day, including daily options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten/dairy free diets. There’s a wide range of food available, which means you’ll never go hungry, and you’ll never have to cook for yourself. Typical meals include:

Breakfast – cereals, fruit, yogurt, toast & spreads.
Lunch – hot lunch (such as pasta, Mexican tacos, burgers) plus sandwich options and fruit; salad bar and cold lunch options.
Dinner – hot meal (such as roast, chicken parmigiana, curry) followed by hot or cold dessert.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit juice, toasties and fresh fruit are available in the kitchenette, 24 hours per day.

Late Meals or Packed Lunch?

Sometimes you’ll have late lectures or sports practice, and won’t be here at dinnertime – don’t worry, you won’t miss out! On Monday to Thursday nights, meals can be put aside and reheated when you return. Similarly, if you can’t get back to College for lunch, simply take a sandwich or roll with you – the salad bar is set up each morning. This means that you’ll save money by not having to buy lunch on campus. And the College kitchenette is a student privilege and is usually open 24 hours per day, and stocks bread, cheese, cereal and milk, so you should never be hungry!

Communal Dining

Sharing meals is an important part of life at St Mary’s, and a really great way to get to know other students. Each College has its own unspoken rituals, and at St Mary’s there’s a tradition of filling tables from the front. This means that you won’t feel anxious about where to sit, and you won’t be left alone on a table. Just like at home, you’ll always look forward to meal times. And like at home, you’ll be asked to help out with simple tasks such as setting tables or clean up – but for only one meal per week. Plus, time flies when you’re helping out with your friends.

High Table

‘High Table’ is held every Monday evening from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. Attendance at this dinner each week is expected, as part of the commitment you make to our community when you are offered a place. This dinner has a different feel, with the students all wearing their black academic gowns (available for purchase when you arrive at College). Dinner is served to the table, rather than buffet-style; and the Principal, Dean and Tutors attend. High Table is a very important part of College life, and represents coming together as one. It engenders a great sense of community.

Formal Dinners

At various points throughout the year, special dinners are held: Commencement, College Day, Christmas in July, Sports Day, Academic Awards Dinner, Indigenous Dinner, Culture and Sports Dinner and Valete. St Mary’s also hosts regular Faculty Dinners – a great opportunity for students to meet senior university leaders.