Events with Refugee and Asylum Seeker Chefs

Since April 2021, we have organised 44 refugee powered events, which include markets, art exhibitions and 27 sold-out dining events with refugee chefs and asylum seeker chefs, in Sydney, Wollongong & Melbourne. Our chefs take home 50% of ticket sales. Get your tickets or you can buy a Pay It Forward ticket.

fashion for good (SYD)

When: Saturday 30th September, 2pm-4pm
Where: Civic Gallery, PHIVE, Parramatta Square, Parramatta
$35, incl. Malaysian canapes & drinks

Welcome Merchant & Western Sydney Fashion Festival are proud to announce their first ever collab Fashion for Good Show! Please join us for an exciting show featuring 7 designers from diverse backgrounds who all call Western Sydney home.

We’ll be showcasing exciting designs from Sierra Leone, vintage Afghan fashion, Islander Inspired Couture, Muslim streetwear and more! Who are the designers? Limaniya, Ghan Fashion, Armando, GTAB, Public Island Society, Delina Co and Shaajh.

There’ll be delicious Malaysian canapes and drinks (non-alcoholic and alcoholic options) served after the show. So book your ticket now for this unique fashion for good show!

BOOK TICKETS HERE

CHINDIAN NIGHT – (SYDNey)

When: Monday 9th October, 6pm
Where: Ho Jiak Town Hall, 125 York Street, Sydney
$150, a 12-course feast with a portion going to the Asylum Seekers Centre

For one night only, Sangee’s Kitchen and Junda Khoo of Ho Jiak fame will be doing what they do best, which is cooking Malaysian Indian food and raising funds for the Asylum Seekers Centre.⁠

Expect a mix of modern and traditional Malaysian Indian food with Junda’s take, whilst keeping the traditional taste there. Ho Jiak will be doing what they do best – elevating simple food to a higher level by using beautiful ingredients we get in Australia that you won’t normally find in Malaysia, like a Lamb Shank Sup Tulang or a Glacier Toothfish Tikka.⁠ Meat is halal.

BOOK TICKETS HERE

PALESTINIAN FEAST – (MELBOURNE)

When: Tuesday 10th October, 6.30pm
Where: Molly Rose Brewing, 279-285 Wellington St, Collingwood, VICTORIA
From $75 (Early Bird), 3-course dinner

“I hope that when people taste my food, they feel love, they feel warmth. It’s family” – Chef Aheda Amro. Elevating our senses with a vibrant burst of flavors and traditions, the Palestinian feast is an exquisite culinary journey that celebrates unity, resilience, and the artistry of their rich cultural heritage. Join us in savouring every moment of this mouthwatering experience, where every bite is a testament to the power of food to bring people together.

Chef Aheda will be cooking a 3-course feast on the night, vegetarians are catered for as well. You can also donate a portion of your ticket to Medical Aid for Palestinians. ⁠
⁠
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available now until September 24. Menu to be announced soon.

book now

previous events:

Speed Friending Sydney – 1/9/23

New connections and great vibes were the order of the night at Welcome Merchant’s first-ever speed-friending event in Sydney. New friends bonded over delicious morsels by Sangee’s Kitchen at the amazing Canva Space in Surry Hills.

Syrian Brunch – 27/8/23

Guests gathered at Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre to experience some awesome Syrian flavours in a beautiful brunch lovingly prepared by Racha’s Syrian Kitchen. The event supported our migrant and refugee community as they share their heartfelt stories and culture.

Celebrate Refugee Week Dinner – 22/6/23

This year’s annual Refugee Week dining celebrations – sponsored by Navitas Skilled Futures and City of Parramatta – showcased a 3-course Malaysian dinner by Sangee’s Kitchen, along with Tamil dance performance and an exciting raffle draw! Photos courtesy of Sharp Focus Photography.

Refugees and Friends Market – 17/6/23

The Refugees and Friends Market at Schoolhouse Studios provided a much-needed fun for Melburnians amidst the cold and windy weather. People listened to live music while browsing shops and grazed on delicious traditional fares. Photography by Broke Stills.

Sri Lankan Pop-up at Baba’s Place – 31/5/23

A beautiful evening in collaboration with Baba’s Place. Chef Krish slung out delicious food, while guests enjoyed a Tamil Kuthu dance performance from Indian Dance School. Photos courtesy of Danish Photography.

Social Enterprise Festival – 27/5/23

Welcome Merchant was invited to the annual Social Enterprise Festival with our much-loved partners including Auntie’s Ginger Tonic, Sangee’s Kitchen and Racha’s Kitchen.

Finding Beauty Exhibition – 23/3/23

We hosted our first art exhibition in Melbourne, featuring the amazing work of Peter Lubega, Hala Sekak and Nidhal Altaie. Photos by our very own Arianna Lim.

Celebrate Uyghur Culture – 21/3/23

Guests heard from an amazing all-women panel of writers, community organisers and teachers, and enjoyed a wonderful dance performance by Dilnigar Alim. Photos by Shems Photography.

Iranian Pop-up Dinner – 14/3/23

The first Melbourne pop-up dinner for 2023 proved to be a hit thanks to stories and delicious food by Chef Mahshid Babzartabi, and moving violin performance by Sogol Moradi. Photos by Broke Stills.

Trivia fundraiser – 10/3/23

⁠We marked International Women’s Day by hosting a wildly-fun Sydney trivia to help raise funds for Afghan women.

Galentine’s Lunch – 11/2/23

It was a day full of love, light and beautiful food courtesy of Racha’s Syrian Kitchen at our annual Galentine’s Lunch.

End of Year Community Forum – 13/12/22

Our team and the merchants gathered at Canva Space for our first-ever Community Forum. A warm and insightful evening to share ideas and help plan for the year ahead.