The Objective

When Bank of Melbourne approached Present Company Included for a Christmas gift hamper that would reflect the cosmopolitan vibe of the City of Melbourne, we settled on creating a gift that celebrated two things the city is best known for — its vibrant food scene and multicultural community.

The Strategy

And what better way to do that, than to feature a recipe from one of the city’s most renowned chefs, Guy Grossi.

But it wasn’t just any recipe. The hamper contained all of the dry ingredients needed to make Grossi’s version of one of the most traditional Italian Christmas desserts, Panforte di Sienna.

The Result

Inside the hamper, all of the ingredients were carefully measured out and arranged in individual packets. They included high-quality mixed nuts, mixed dried fruits, rice paper, Valrhona dark chocolate, cocoa, and a spice mix of cinnamon and nutmeg, all of which were sourced from local producers and artisans. The packets were labelled with the name of the ingredient and its weight, making it easy for the recipient to follow the recipe. Along with the ingredients, the hamper also included a recipe card with detailed instructions on how to make the panforte to perfection.

To reflect Melbourne’s reputation as a stylish city, the hamper came in a sleek and compact metal container with a matte white finish and a minimalist design. The image on the lid added further to then uniqueness of the gift. It did not feature a recognisable Melbourne landmark, but a vespa parked outside a quality delicatessen, alluding to the city’s character as cultured and worldly-wise.

We all brought together the right mix of ingredients to create a thoughtful and unique gift that celebrated the best of Melbourne’s food culture and character. The hamper impressed and delighted every single person who received it.