The House Cup is heating up and after a massive week across the board, the leaderboard is tight with plenty still to play for.
Current Standings:
- 🔵The Corner – 512 points
- 🔴The Espy – 459.5 points
- 🟡Young & Jackson – 436 points
- 🟢The Tote – 349.5 points
Momentum is shifting, teams are stepping up, and every shift is counting 👀
🔵 The Corner – Leaders (512 points)
Another huge week from The Corner, continuing to set the standard.
+20 points for picking up shifts
+10 points to Bridget for not one but two positive reviews
+51 points for cleaning — outstanding effort across the team
+33 points for the halloumi burger special
+20 points for Pete’s Pick of the Week
The halloumi burger took a minute to find its feet, but once the pumpkin was added it became a standout. Credit to Matt and the team — and VC Molly definitely helped move a few of those.
Behind the scenes:
- Tyler leading cleaning (and doing it with a smile — even handling a vomit clean-up)
- Dan stepping up to drive the Italian Kitchen special
- Charlotte jumping in with cardboard runs
- First to step up and cut limes when the bar ran out
- Laila getting stuck into the bar clean
- IK area organised for a full steam clean
Parma Challenge – 2nd Place
Ben and Molly worked really well together. Calm, composed, and showed initiative — even offering gravy and cutlery. Parma was excellent, chips just needed a touch more time.
A seriously consistent team. Still the benchmark.
🔴 The Espy – Charging (459.5 points)
Massive week from The Espy — right back in the hunt.
+83 points for the pie special — most sold across all teams
+20 bonus points for top-selling special
+20 points for picking up shifts
+50 points for cleaning — strong team effort
The pie dominated — no question. Huge result.
Across the venue:
- Richard jumping on FOH pass during a busy lunch
- Mikey scrubbing benches clean
- Millie handling gutters
- Sarjeena mentoring Sienna
- Alison tidying the fireplace and organising kindling
- Team improving footy flag process and post-bin clean-ups
- Sweeping standards lifted right across the board
Parma Challenge – 203.5 (just missing 2nd by 0.5)
Sarjeena and Sienna were excellent — calm, great communication, and a really well-executed parma. Just let down slightly by the salad.
With the pie now done… can they hold this momentum?
🟡 Young & Jackson – Building (436 points)
A strong, well-rounded week from Young & Jackson.
+25 points for picking up shifts
+40 points for cleaning
+33 points for the mushroom risotto — great result with limited IK hours
+20 points for Trent’s kitchen hand training video
+50 points to Caitlin for getting customers involved
Strong leadership from Trent, setting the tone and leading by example. Mel continuing to drive the team and even helping other teams (that pumpkin idea making the rounds 👀).
This team knows how to pick a special and back it up.
Parma Challenge – 4th Place (146 points)
Good start and strong communication early, but a few execution errors and missed presentation points held them back.
With cheeseburger tacos this week… watch out.
🟢 The Tote – Team of the Week (349.5 points)
Big week from The Tote and a huge result in the challenge.
+20 points for the empanada special
+229.5 points for 1st place in the Parma Challenge
+30 points for cleaning
+20 points for Ben’s Team of the Week — Lily & Zara
Lily and Zara delivered a near perfect parma with great teamwork and execution. Lily also showing great initiative upselling the empanadas — exactly what we want.
Strong team contributions:
- Kane, Hailey and Sam consistently sending great videos
- Dylan leading from the front and driving standards
Cleaning got the points this week, but there’s more in this team — get those photos in.
With the pie this week, they’ll be chasing serious points — but they need to get posting. Time is running out.
🔥 Heading Into Week Three
We’re only two weeks in and it’s already tight across the board.
- 1st to 2nd: 52.5 points
- 2nd to 3rd: 23.5 points
- 3rd to 4th: 86.5 points
With more points up for grabs this week — specials, cleaning, challenges and team contributions — there’s plenty still to play for.
One big week can change everything.
🍽️ This Week at The Grand
- New weekly specials across the venue
- Teams competing every shift
- Energy, creativity and a bit of rivalry behind everything we do
Come down, try the specials, and be part of it.
The Grand is all about great food, great drinks, and great people — and right now, the competition is taking things to another level.
See you at the bar 🍻
