Melbourne Cup Birdcage: Where VIPs eat ants and drink space champagne

    By Bianca Britton, CNN

    Updated 1032 GMT (1832 HKT) November 5, 2018

    The Birdcage at the Melbourne Cup is the epicenter of style and glamor -- and the place to be seen if you're a celebrity or VIP.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    The Birdcage at the Melbourne Cup is the epicenter of style and glamor -- and the place to be seen if you're a celebrity or VIP.
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    Within the enclosure sponsors host bespoke lavish marquees which feature everything from purple martinis, decadent floral displays, entertainment routines and plenty of designer outfits.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    Within the enclosure sponsors host bespoke lavish marquees which feature everything from purple martinis, decadent floral displays, entertainment routines and plenty of designer outfits.
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    The $7.3 million cup began in 1861 and has evolved into a week-long festival -- where horse racing isn't its only focus, but also fashion, entertainment and hospitality.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    The $7.3 million cup began in 1861 and has evolved into a week-long festival -- where horse racing isn't its only focus, but also fashion, entertainment and hospitality.
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    Maison Mumm has centered its marquee around the launch of its champagne bottle which has been designed for space travel.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    Maison Mumm has centered its marquee around the launch of its champagne bottle which has been designed for space travel.
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    Mumm's marquee will also feature "high energy visual performances" by its Space Odyssey Orchestra.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    Mumm's marquee will also feature "high energy visual performances" by its Space Odyssey Orchestra.
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    Black ants will be served for desert at the Lexus Design Pavilion. In Ben Shewry's dish, the New Zealand chef serves up an ice-cream lamington, which is coated in black Australian ants and coconut with chocolate grown and hand made in Queensland's Daintree Forest.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    Black ants will be served for desert at the Lexus Design Pavilion. In Ben Shewry's dish, the New Zealand chef serves up an ice-cream lamington, which is coated in black Australian ants and coconut with chocolate grown and hand made in Queensland's Daintree Forest.
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    Shiitake and wattle seed truffle by Australian chef, Shaun Quade, will be served as dessert in the Lexus Design Pavilion.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    Shiitake and wattle seed truffle by Australian chef, Shaun Quade, will be served as dessert in the Lexus Design Pavilion.
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    Quade will be serving food on level three of the pavilion -- which can cater up at 76 people. It is the largest ever dining room within the Birdcage enclosure -- and has the most coveted view, overlooking Flemington's racecourse.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    Quade will be serving food on level three of the pavilion -- which can cater up at 76 people. It is the largest ever dining room within the Birdcage enclosure -- and has the most coveted view, overlooking Flemington's racecourse.
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    During the week, Melbourne Cup's Carnival features four days of thoroughbred racing, which includes Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day and Stakes Day.
    Photos: The place to be if you're a VIP at the Melbourne Cup
    During the week, Melbourne Cup's Carnival features four days of thoroughbred racing, which includes Derby Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Oaks Day and Stakes Day.
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    06 Melbourne Cup Birdcage05 Melbourne Cup BirdcageMelbourne Cup birdcage teaseMumm Melbourne CupMumm birdcage melbourne cup01 Melbourne Cup Birdcage03 Melbourne Cup BirdcageLexus birdcage melbourne cupBumble marquee birdcage melbourne cup

    (CNN)Ants and champagne designed to be consumed in space.

    That's what celebrities and other VIPs will eat and drink inside the Melbourne Cup's enclave of style and glamor -- the Birdcage enclosure.
    It's where anybody who's anybody mingles during Australia's most prestigious race day at Flemington Racecourse.