Queen Victoria Gardens

Gather, graze, and share stories of belonging over Free to Feed’s shared table at MPavilion

Free to Feed  thrive on moments that combine storytelling and communal eating. This shared table at MPavilion whisks together both.  They’ll be setting up one of their famous grazing tables, which are always fragrant and brimming with dishes from around the world.

Gather for an informal lunch while newly arrived Australians from Free to Feed share their story about what true belonging can look like. Once bellies are full, the Free to Feed story sharers will invite you and others to talk about who you’ve met, share some of your takeaways, and if you’ve felt any changes in perspective. It’s a simple way to shift narratives together, with the bonus of being extremely delicious.

We recommend booking a ticket for one and embracing the transformative opportunity to connect with new people and share stories over a meal. This is a paid event for attendees, and tickets will go towards contributing to the ingredients for Free to Feed‘s generous spread.

This program is supported by ANZ.

Collaborators 

Free to Feed is a non-profit social enterprise fostering social connection for people of refugee backgrounds with the Melbourne community, empowering them to overcome social isolation. They do this through transformative training, employment and trauma-informed Leadership, Empowerment and Communication Program that celebrates their participant’s diverse cultures through shared food experiences in safe and inclusive spaces.  Their Cooking Experiences, Cultural events and Catered Feasts bring people together for a beautiful exchange of stories, cultural knowledge and personal hopes and ideas. Since its inception in 2015, Free to Feed has provided over $2 million in employment wages and 63,000 hours of training to more than 400 participants through the creation of shared culturally diverse and authentic food experiences. 

Nada
A trained Archaeologist, Nada entwines her passion for cooking with a deep appreciation for her country’s history, paying homage to ancient techniques. Her stories speak of Egyptian Pharaohs and offerings to the Gods, overlaying the intricate city she grew up in. To Nada, the world is filled with curiosity-  an invitation to explore both past and present.

Rana
In Iraq, Rana worked as an emergency doctor. “I love medicine, and I’d love to practise again,” she says. Nowadays she is a cooking instructor at Free to Feed, using her sacred recipes and stories to paint a brighter picture of her home. “That’s what I’m hoping people will take away – more of an understanding of the positive, beautiful side of my heritage.”

Kanwal
Hailing from Lahore, Pakistan, and with a background in fashion, Kanwal remembers her grandmother (Baree ami) using any occasion to get the family together to laugh, eat, and share. “The world needs more kindness, everybody needs to be loved, everybody is finding a sense of belonging. In my heart, giving back and having that connection with your inner self is very important.”