Events with Refugee and Asylum Seeker Chefs

Since April 2021, we have organised 54 refugee powered events, which include markets, art exhibitions, a fashion show and 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 for a refugee.

MELBOURNE – STORIES OF POWER FILM FESTIVAL

When: Sunday 23rd June, from 4pm-5pm
Where: Thornbury Picture House, 802 High St, Thornbury VIC
How Much? $20 per person
What: A short film festival featuring 6 talented entrepreneurs who identify as a refugee and/or as a person seeking asylum. There will be a small market in the forecourt before the films start, featuring products from culturally diverse entrepreneurs.

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SYDNEY – STORIES OF POWER FILM FESTIVAL

When: Thursday 27th June, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Where: Randwick Ritz, 45 St Pauls Street, Randwick NSW
How Much? $30 per person
What: A short film festival featuring 6 talented entrepreneurs who identify as a refugee and/or as a person seeking asylum. There will be other films shown as well, produced by culturally diverse filmmakers. Canapes made by a refugee chef on the night!

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previous events:

Melbourne Birthday Market – 23/3/24

Melbourne also played host to our 4th birthday celebration, a week after the Sydney market. We saw lots of supporters show up for our amazing partners Akira Grateful, Bijouniq, Sweet Cora, Chef Aheda, Vanguard Makers, Tienda Wuarmi, Zi Accessories and more.

Sydney Birthday Market – 16/3/24

We celebrated our 4th birthday in style by hosting our annual Harmony Market in Sydney at Petersham Bowling Club’s Top Green. Market-goers were spoilt with unique goodies like Palestinian-Jordanian fashion by Gina Barjeel, African-inspired skincare products by Just Shea, delicious ginger tonics by Aunty’s Ginger Tonics, African-inspired spice jars by African Food Feasts and delicious Malaysian treats by Sangee’s Asian Fusion.

Galentine’s Lunch – 17/2/24

Ladies who lunch together, stay together! Our annual Galentine’s Lunch was back with a bang, celebrating sisterhood and community over a scrumptious, 4-course Syrian lunch catered by Racha’s Kitchen. We shared the love through a beautiful violin performance by Maria Isaac and donations made to Aus Relief for newly-arrived Gazan refugees.

Rohingyan Night – 10/12/23

We hosted our final event of 2023, Rohingya Night, at the Arts and Cultural Exchange in Parramatta. We collaborated with the Australian Rohingyan Women’s Development Organisation (ARWDO) to put this event together, which saw guests treated to delicious food and hearing from a panel talk moderated by activist and poet Asma Nayim Ullah.

Persian Feast for Women’s Rights – 28/11/23

At our last Melbourne event of 2023, guests of the Persian Feast for Women’s Rights were treated to Chef Mahshid’s delectable 3-course dinner. Within the walls of the funky Evie’s Disco Diner, guests saw wonderful music performances by Mastaneh Nazarian and Sogol Moradi. The event also coincided with Yalda, the longest night in Iran, and a portion of the proceeds go to Djirra.

Fundraiser for Medical Aid for Palestinians – 29/10/23

The community gathered in Sydney for a sit-down lunch at Where’s Nick Bar to help raise much-needed funds for the Medical Aid for Palestinians. Due to popular demand, we held 2 lunch sittings where guests were treated to delicious and fresh traditional feasts while participating in raffle sales.

Palestinian Pop-up at Molly Rose Brewing – 10/10/23

Welcome Merchant hosted a timely Palestinian dining event in Melbourne at Molly Rose Brewing, in collaboration with Chef Aheda Amro. Guests were treated to a vibrant burst of flavours and traditions – including an amazing dance performance! – celebrating the Palestinian unity, resilience and artistry of their rich cultural heritage.

CHINDIAN NIGHT: A Feast for Good – 9/10/23

Two talented chefs Junda of Ho Jiak Town Hall and Malar of Sangee’s Kitchen united for Welcome Merchant’s biggest dining collaboration to date! A delicious melting pot of Malaysian Chinese and Malaysian Indian feast in Sydney that raised the much-needed funds for the Asylum Seekers Centre.

Fashion for Good – 30/9/23

Together with Western Sydney Fashion Festival (WSFF), we co-hosted our very first fashion show. We couldn’t have done it without the tremendous support of WSFF founder Thuy Nguyen and her army of volunteers, the deeply talented designers, the crew, delicious catering by Sangee’s Kitchen, and our generous sponsors.

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.