It is the first day of Melbourne’s chilly winter and a small team at South of Johnston Café at Collingwood is keeping the evening warm. In the bustling kitchen, a passionate team is preparing an Egyptian feast for a motley crew of of 80—strangers and refugees.
Architect, painter and Egyptian refugee Tadros Ibrahim is helming the kitcken, assisted by his Turkish, Indian and Australian friends, who are not professional cooks but driven by passion. The culmination: fragrant and steaming bowls of Molokhia, a green soup, hearty Bamya okra stew, and Maraket Ferakh, a chicken broth brimming with flavours served alongside Roz bel shareya, which is rice with vermicelli, Baba kanoug, Egyptian pickles, et al.
In this kitchen, in the past, the meals have traversed a gastronomic journey, embracing the flavours of Nepal, Afghanistan, Somalia, India, et al.
This captivating dinner aptly named PeaceMeals is the brainchild of Kate Shelton, a former café owner, cook and painter.
The idea came to Shelton when she moved from Canberra to Melbourne in 2014. She noticed a prevailing negativity towards refugees within the community.
“Many of the people I encountered held strong opinions based solely on media portrayals, without ever having met a refugee themselves. Being involved in the hospitality industry and possessing culinary skills, I saw an opportunity to bridge this gap.
“My decision was clear: I would bring together middle-class educated Australians and refugees, providing them with a platform to engage in meaningful conversations over shared meals,” she says.
In 2014, Shelton organised the first dinner at The Social Studio, initially hosting a gathering of 20 close friends and family members. It has since grown and become a place where Shelton actively invites new Australians, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity and warmth.
PeaceMeals operates on a flexible pay-what-you-can model. The donations cover a wide range of needs, such as household items, cars, and education, which can greatly benefit refugees and improve their lives.
Saleha Singh, who is on the board of PeaceMeals, says, “People are generous with their donations, which has gone to help people especially during tough times such as COVID-19,” says Singh.
Since 2016, PeaceMeals has found a home at South of Jonston café, thanks to the kindness of owner Stuart McKenzie. This move embodies the spirit of togetherness that PeaceMeals aims to foster.
The PeaceMeals dinners, now held four times a year, serve as a catalyst for networking, job opportunities, and lasting friendships.
While encouraging individuals to mingle with strangers can be intimidating, Singh highlights the transformative nature of the experience. She explains, “By sharing refugee stories and forging meaningful connections, we create an atmosphere reminiscent of a shared family table that fosters an immediate bond.”
“The idea is to foster understanding by sharing refugee stories and forging meaningful connections between individuals. In a setting like this, you create an atmosphere reminiscent of a shared family table that fosters an immediate bond,” says Singh.
Mary Stephen, a steadfast supporter of Shelton from the early years, has played a pivotal role in facilitating job placements for refugees at Lander & Rogers, a law firm where she previously served as a community engagement officer.
Drawing on her 15 years of experience working with refugees and asylum seekers, Stephen has made a significant impact in providing valuable assistance to those in need.
“Five years ago, during one of the dinners, a South Sudanese man named Andrew approached me, expressing his curiosity about PeaceMeals. Accompanying him was his shy 11-year-old daughter, who aspired to pursue a career in law. I had the privilege of facilitating her participation in the work experience program for Year 11 at Lander & Rogers. Today, I am delighted to share that she is now pursuing her law degree,” recounts Stephen, who proudly serves as a patron of PeaceMeals.
PeaceMeals has experienced significant momentum and growth, attracting a diverse group of regular attendees like Arti Tikkoo, who is delighted to lend her support. As an employee of a company, Tikkoo expresses a deep sense of connection and grounding within the PeaceMeals community.
“Coming from Kashmir, India, some of the stories of resilience and hardship are similar to what my parents have gone through,” she says.
Awar Kuol, who came to Australia as a nine-year old Sudanese refugee, narrates how she and her family had to navigate their new life in Australia. Going to school and learning English both at the same time, she went on to study law. Today a senior lawyer, Kuol brings new people over at PeaceMeals to help them forge connections.
“We break bread and discover how similar we all are,” says Kuol.
The impact of PeaceMeals also resonates with attendees like Sadia Huq, who finds the experience lovely and meaningful, especially after the challenges of COVID-19.
“It is just so lovely. The food, the concept and the people we randomly sit down opens up so many world. It is even more meaningful especially after COVID. You get to know one another, it’s a beautiful vibe. We will keep coming back,” says Huq, who is from Bangladesh.
Muftah Barackerkhil from the Afghan Community Support Group expresses gratitude for the opportunity to meet amazing people through PeaceMeals.
“It is good to meet so many amazing people,” he says.
With Nouria Salehi AM, a prominent advocate for women’s rights and education, serving as a guest speaker on this wintry night, the PeaceMeals dinner concludes with satisfaction and gratitude.
The stories shared, the connections made, and the warmth felt in the gathering exemplify the power of shared meals in fostering a sense of belonging.
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#PeaceMeals: Founded by Kate Shelton, a passionate team of #diverse individuals, come together with strangers & #refugees over shared meals, fostering understanding & lasting friendships. A truly heartwarming initiative breaking barriers. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/iCibYpYvzQ
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) June 5, 2023
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