1 00:00:19,980 --> 00:00:22,820 LEIGH SALES: Sharing a meal with friends and family 2 00:00:22,820 --> 00:00:25,100 is one of the most bonding things we do as humans, 3 00:00:25,100 --> 00:00:27,620 and it's even more enjoyable on those special occasions 4 00:00:27,620 --> 00:00:31,060 when somebody else is doing the hard work for you. 5 00:00:32,700 --> 00:00:34,940 The people who enable us to eat out 6 00:00:34,940 --> 00:00:38,020 are at the heart of our trilogy on restaurateurs. 7 00:00:42,220 --> 00:00:45,380 Last time we met one of Australia's top chefs, Josh Niland. 8 00:00:45,380 --> 00:00:45,620 Last time we met one of Australia's This time it's Shaun Christie-David, 9 00:00:45,620 --> 00:00:47,980 This time it's Shaun Christie-David, 10 00:00:47,980 --> 00:00:48,220 This time it's Shaun Christie-David, an unstoppable force who's drawing on his personal experience 11 00:00:48,220 --> 00:00:51,980 an unstoppable force who's drawing on his personal experience 12 00:00:51,980 --> 00:00:55,420 to create delicious food that's also changing lives. 13 00:00:55,420 --> 00:00:55,660 to create delicious food (CLIPPER BUZZES) 14 00:00:55,660 --> 00:00:57,580 (CLIPPER BUZZES) 15 00:00:59,340 --> 00:01:02,460 SHAUN CHRISTIE-DAVID: I had what many people would consider success. 16 00:01:05,580 --> 00:01:08,020 I look at so many first generation migrant kids, 17 00:01:08,020 --> 00:01:12,580 there's a sense of uncomfortability with living with privilege. 18 00:01:14,260 --> 00:01:15,780 It ate away at me, it got me angry. 19 00:01:15,780 --> 00:01:17,940 It made me feel uncomfortable all the time. 20 00:01:17,940 --> 00:01:19,460 It hurt. 21 00:01:19,460 --> 00:01:22,820 And for years I didn't know what to do with that hurt. 22 00:01:22,820 --> 00:01:26,260 I didn't know what to do with that emotion. 23 00:01:26,260 --> 00:01:26,500 I didn't know what to do But I knew I had to do something. 24 00:01:26,500 --> 00:01:28,740 But I knew I had to do something. 25 00:01:50,300 --> 00:01:53,220 Alright. So this is Colombo Social. 26 00:01:53,220 --> 00:01:56,700 I never started this to be where it is. 27 00:01:56,700 --> 00:01:56,940 I never started this Get loose, Saturday night. 28 00:01:56,940 --> 00:01:58,220 Get loose, Saturday night. 29 00:01:58,220 --> 00:02:01,020 (ALL CHEER) Very excited to have you here. 30 00:02:01,980 --> 00:02:06,740 Nothing I have done has been to build a hospitality group. 31 00:02:06,740 --> 00:02:06,980 Shit escalates with me. Nothing I have done has been to build a hospitality group. 32 00:02:06,980 --> 00:02:08,100 Shit escalates with me. 33 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:09,380 Shit escalates. 34 00:02:09,380 --> 00:02:10,220 (LAUGHS) 35 00:02:11,500 --> 00:02:12,980 I'm all in. I'm all in. 36 00:02:12,980 --> 00:02:13,220 I'm all in. I'm all in. Shaun's my name. Shaun. 37 00:02:13,220 --> 00:02:14,660 Shaun's my name. Shaun. 38 00:02:14,660 --> 00:02:14,900 Shaun's my name. So, 2019 was when we started. 39 00:02:14,900 --> 00:02:17,140 So, 2019 was when we started. 40 00:02:17,140 --> 00:02:21,100 I would have never expected him to go into the restaurant business. 41 00:02:21,100 --> 00:02:21,380 I would have never expected him to go into the restaurant business. Right. So, I've got your chicken curry. 42 00:02:21,380 --> 00:02:23,940 Right. So, I've got your chicken curry. 43 00:02:23,940 --> 00:02:24,180 Right. So, I've got Shaun's not a chef. 44 00:02:24,180 --> 00:02:26,340 Shaun's not a chef. 45 00:02:26,340 --> 00:02:28,700 Alright. And there is more. 46 00:02:28,700 --> 00:02:29,740 Excellent. 47 00:02:29,740 --> 00:02:32,260 Shaun is a terrible cook. 48 00:02:32,260 --> 00:02:32,500 And that's probably what makes him excellent at what he does. Shaun is a terrible cook. 49 00:02:32,500 --> 00:02:35,020 And that's probably what makes him excellent at what he does. 50 00:02:35,020 --> 00:02:35,300 And that's probably what makes him excellent at what he does. He's not stuck in the kitchen on the tools. 51 00:02:35,300 --> 00:02:38,220 He's not stuck in the kitchen on the tools. 52 00:02:38,220 --> 00:02:39,460 So, like, what's your spice threshold? 53 00:02:39,460 --> 00:02:39,700 So, like, Shaun is a social entrepreneur. 54 00:02:39,700 --> 00:02:42,060 Shaun is a social entrepreneur. 55 00:02:42,060 --> 00:02:43,220 No, no, you can order... 56 00:02:43,220 --> 00:02:45,220 You can order just by itself. Yeah. 57 00:02:45,220 --> 00:02:48,020 There's no racism when you sit together and eat a meal. 58 00:02:48,020 --> 00:02:51,620 There is just a common bond. 59 00:02:51,620 --> 00:02:55,420 4am and you're having a kebab, you don't go, "Oh, I'm having a kebab, 60 00:02:55,420 --> 00:02:55,660 4am and you're having a kebab, you "but I hate Lebanese people!" 61 00:02:55,660 --> 00:02:56,580 "but I hate Lebanese people!" 62 00:02:56,580 --> 00:02:56,820 It's good. It's a fucking "but I hate Lebanese people!" 63 00:02:56,820 --> 00:02:59,140 It's good. It's a fucking banging place, this place. 64 00:02:59,140 --> 00:03:01,460 I love everything about this place! I really do. 65 00:03:01,460 --> 00:03:04,300 Food is the most universal love language. 66 00:03:04,300 --> 00:03:06,780 It's created from parents to children. 67 00:03:07,740 --> 00:03:09,340 And it's a piece of you. 68 00:03:09,340 --> 00:03:10,340 It's a piece of your identity. 69 00:03:10,340 --> 00:03:12,460 It's a piece of your culture and it's your story. 70 00:03:12,460 --> 00:03:15,460 And that's why food is so powerful. 71 00:03:17,060 --> 00:03:18,980 Ooh! Oh. 72 00:03:18,980 --> 00:03:20,700 I'm not sure we can sledge each other 73 00:03:20,700 --> 00:03:22,700 without it actually turning into a punch-on. 74 00:03:22,700 --> 00:03:23,900 What do you reckon? 75 00:03:23,900 --> 00:03:26,740 My parents are Sri Lankan, of Tamil descent, 76 00:03:26,740 --> 00:03:30,620 and in the early '80s things were getting really, really heated. 77 00:03:30,620 --> 00:03:33,220 REPORTER: The soldiers never know who's going to shoot at them 78 00:03:33,220 --> 00:03:37,020 or when a landmine will blow them to pieces. 79 00:03:37,020 --> 00:03:39,460 Sri Lanka had descended into civil war. We were Tamil. 80 00:03:39,460 --> 00:03:39,700 Sri Lanka had descended To them, every Tamil is the enemy. 81 00:03:39,700 --> 00:03:42,100 To them, every Tamil is the enemy. 82 00:03:44,420 --> 00:03:45,420 Oh! 83 00:03:45,420 --> 00:03:48,300 My auntie was living in Australia and she sponsored my dad. 84 00:03:48,300 --> 00:03:52,100 Now we'll see. Now we'll see if you've still got that. (LAUGHS) 85 00:03:52,100 --> 00:03:52,980 Oh! 86 00:03:52,980 --> 00:03:55,940 SHIRANIE: My husband and I and my two sons, 87 00:03:55,940 --> 00:03:56,180 SHIRANIE: My husband and I we came to Australia in March 1983. 88 00:03:56,180 --> 00:04:00,500 we came to Australia in March 1983. 89 00:04:00,500 --> 00:04:01,820 Say "sucked in, Dad!" 90 00:04:01,820 --> 00:04:03,020 Sucked in! 91 00:04:03,020 --> 00:04:05,820 And Shaun was born two years later. 92 00:04:05,820 --> 00:04:10,780 We knew that our children were going to have a better future here. 93 00:04:11,780 --> 00:04:13,980 Oh! Nice ball. 94 00:04:13,980 --> 00:04:17,300 Growing up, it was very, very different. 95 00:04:17,300 --> 00:04:19,940 My dad was a mechanical engineer. 96 00:04:19,940 --> 00:04:21,020 Ohhh! 97 00:04:21,020 --> 00:04:23,780 He had a very, very established career. 98 00:04:23,780 --> 00:04:25,700 And they got to Australia and his qualifications 99 00:04:25,700 --> 00:04:25,940 And they got to Australia weren't recognised. 100 00:04:25,940 --> 00:04:26,700 weren't recognised. 101 00:04:26,700 --> 00:04:26,940 There's an incredible weren't recognised. 102 00:04:26,940 --> 00:04:28,260 There's an incredible depth of talent 103 00:04:28,260 --> 00:04:28,500 There's an incredible that isn't being fully utilised. 104 00:04:28,500 --> 00:04:30,220 that isn't being fully utilised. 105 00:04:30,220 --> 00:04:31,220 He was a smart man. 106 00:04:31,220 --> 00:04:31,460 He set up the first mobile He was a smart man. 107 00:04:31,460 --> 00:04:34,100 He set up the first mobile mechanic van in Australia. 108 00:04:37,060 --> 00:04:41,380 So when we were growing up, I used to do this on the ground. 109 00:04:43,020 --> 00:04:45,700 That was one of your big jobs that you were doing. 110 00:04:45,700 --> 00:04:45,940 That was one of your That was my only job. 111 00:04:45,940 --> 00:04:46,940 That was my only job. 112 00:04:46,940 --> 00:04:49,180 OK, now you can add the ginger and garlic. 113 00:04:49,180 --> 00:04:49,420 OK, now you can add the ginger (SIZZLING) 114 00:04:49,420 --> 00:04:51,300 (SIZZLING) 115 00:04:52,940 --> 00:04:54,820 We never went out for meals. 116 00:04:54,820 --> 00:04:58,300 It was always cooked... food that was cooked at home. 117 00:04:58,300 --> 00:04:58,540 It was always cooked... You forgot the onions, Shaun. 118 00:04:58,540 --> 00:05:00,140 You forgot the onions, Shaun. 119 00:05:00,140 --> 00:05:04,660 We were hospitality from the age of zero. 120 00:05:04,660 --> 00:05:07,420 My mum cooked for 100 people for Christmas. 121 00:05:07,420 --> 00:05:07,660 My mum cooked for 100 people You should do a cooking show. 122 00:05:07,660 --> 00:05:09,460 You should do a cooking show. 123 00:05:09,460 --> 00:05:13,300 There's no way you'll get me doing a cookery show! 124 00:05:13,300 --> 00:05:13,540 There's no way you'll get me I'm just a home cook 125 00:05:13,540 --> 00:05:14,820 I'm just a home cook 126 00:05:14,820 --> 00:05:17,260 and I enjoy cooking for you all. 127 00:05:18,820 --> 00:05:21,500 I think he basically had a professional chef in his house 128 00:05:21,500 --> 00:05:21,740 I think he basically had a growing up, but they didn't know it. 129 00:05:21,740 --> 00:05:23,220 growing up, but they didn't know it. 130 00:05:23,220 --> 00:05:23,420 growing up, but they didn't know it. Alright, everyone, lunch is ready! 131 00:05:23,420 --> 00:05:26,660 Alright, everyone, lunch is ready! 132 00:05:26,660 --> 00:05:28,140 Thank you. 133 00:05:28,140 --> 00:05:31,460 The Sunday lunch at home with the family. 134 00:05:31,460 --> 00:05:35,860 And we would laugh and we would joke and we would talk for hours. 135 00:05:35,860 --> 00:05:37,940 Thanks, Mum. OTHERS: Thanks, Mum. 136 00:05:37,940 --> 00:05:40,460 So, do you want to know something that Dad used to do? 137 00:05:40,460 --> 00:05:41,660 GIRL: What? 138 00:05:41,660 --> 00:05:43,500 When you asked him for food, 139 00:05:43,500 --> 00:05:43,740 he'd lick it and give it back When you asked him for food, 140 00:05:43,740 --> 00:05:46,580 he'd lick it and give it back to you so you don't eat it. 141 00:05:46,580 --> 00:05:46,820 he'd lick it and give it back You know that? 142 00:05:46,820 --> 00:05:47,620 You know that? 143 00:05:47,620 --> 00:05:50,620 There wasn't a lot of brown kids in the '80s in the western suburbs. 144 00:05:50,620 --> 00:05:53,180 It hurt when they let me know that I was the brown kid, 145 00:05:53,180 --> 00:05:53,420 It hurt when they let me know that I was different to them. 146 00:05:53,420 --> 00:05:55,140 that I was different to them. 147 00:05:55,140 --> 00:05:55,380 You walk this line which is, like, that I was different to them. 148 00:05:55,380 --> 00:06:02,180 You walk this line which is, like, embarrassed for a long time 149 00:06:02,180 --> 00:06:02,420 You walk this line which is, like, of your culture. 150 00:06:02,420 --> 00:06:03,900 of your culture. 151 00:06:03,900 --> 00:06:06,660 You just wanted to be the white kid. 152 00:06:06,660 --> 00:06:08,580 Prawns, everyone? 153 00:06:08,580 --> 00:06:13,100 They had to act in a certain way at home because of our traditions 154 00:06:13,100 --> 00:06:16,620 and our customs, and then when they go out, 155 00:06:16,620 --> 00:06:19,340 to fit in would have been very hard. 156 00:06:19,340 --> 00:06:21,860 AARON: Being a migrant, you have plenty of shame. 157 00:06:21,860 --> 00:06:26,140 Taking dhal, which is lentils, sandwiches to school, 158 00:06:26,140 --> 00:06:28,660 the second you open your lunchbox, it just stinks. 159 00:06:28,660 --> 00:06:30,420 I would throw those out. 160 00:06:30,420 --> 00:06:31,380 Oh, what? 161 00:06:31,380 --> 00:06:33,860 It was embarrassing because every other kid had devon 162 00:06:33,860 --> 00:06:34,820 or they had Vegemite, 163 00:06:34,820 --> 00:06:36,860 or they had this and we'd have these sandwiches. 164 00:06:36,860 --> 00:06:37,100 or they had this Why didn't you tell me that earlier? 165 00:06:37,100 --> 00:06:38,820 Why didn't you tell me that earlier? 166 00:06:38,820 --> 00:06:39,060 Then I wouldn't have done it. Why didn't you tell me that earlier? 167 00:06:39,060 --> 00:06:40,940 Then I wouldn't have done it. Yes. 168 00:06:40,940 --> 00:06:44,780 I wouldn't have tortured you with the dhal sandwiches 169 00:06:44,780 --> 00:06:45,020 I wouldn't have tortured you and embarrassed you. 170 00:06:45,020 --> 00:06:46,340 and embarrassed you. 171 00:06:46,340 --> 00:06:48,020 (LAUGHS) 172 00:06:48,020 --> 00:06:52,220 I remember one day when one of my mates was in the car, 173 00:06:52,220 --> 00:06:54,060 when I said it, but I was like, "Mum, you stink. 174 00:06:54,060 --> 00:06:54,300 when I said it, but I was like, "You stink like curry." 175 00:06:54,300 --> 00:06:55,620 "You stink like curry." 176 00:06:57,140 --> 00:07:02,540 And I know that her pride was cooking for us. 177 00:07:02,540 --> 00:07:08,900 So when I said that, it shattered her love language. 178 00:07:08,900 --> 00:07:11,620 Fuck, it makes me feel horrible now, right? 179 00:07:15,620 --> 00:07:18,660 JOHN: Shaun definitely sees the pain that new people in this country, 180 00:07:18,660 --> 00:07:21,300 and especially refugees, feel, I think. 181 00:07:21,300 --> 00:07:24,180 He's probably witnessed it in his parents. 182 00:07:24,180 --> 00:07:28,220 That anger that he has is... sort of drives him. 183 00:07:28,220 --> 00:07:30,740 The anger is not dealt with. It comes out somewhere. 184 00:07:40,340 --> 00:07:42,580 Roast pork, please. 185 00:07:49,060 --> 00:07:52,380 I remember the first time 186 00:07:52,380 --> 00:07:55,620 someone called me a black C, right? 187 00:07:56,940 --> 00:07:58,940 Well, I would have been seven. Just a kid, right? 188 00:07:58,940 --> 00:07:59,180 Well, I would have been seven. We were just kids. 189 00:07:59,180 --> 00:08:00,060 We were just kids. 190 00:08:00,060 --> 00:08:02,540 I cried, I remember crying about it. 191 00:08:03,580 --> 00:08:06,500 And my dad's like, "You should be proud. 192 00:08:06,500 --> 00:08:06,740 And my dad's like, "Be proud." 193 00:08:06,740 --> 00:08:07,540 "Be proud." 194 00:08:10,540 --> 00:08:12,540 We grew up in south west Sydney. 195 00:08:12,540 --> 00:08:12,780 The challenges were very real We grew up in south west Sydney. 196 00:08:12,780 --> 00:08:17,100 The challenges were very real around what life could be 197 00:08:17,100 --> 00:08:17,340 The challenges were very real for people from our area. 198 00:08:17,340 --> 00:08:18,620 for people from our area. 199 00:08:18,620 --> 00:08:20,100 Yeah. Better...better now. 200 00:08:20,100 --> 00:08:21,780 Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. Better. Much better. 201 00:08:21,780 --> 00:08:22,020 Yeah. Exactly. Yeah. See you, brother. 202 00:08:22,020 --> 00:08:23,180 See you, brother. 203 00:08:23,180 --> 00:08:24,460 With three boys, 204 00:08:24,460 --> 00:08:24,700 there's every chance With three boys, 205 00:08:24,700 --> 00:08:27,020 there's every chance that they can go off the rails. 206 00:08:27,020 --> 00:08:27,260 there's every chance So Mum just ruled with an iron fist. 207 00:08:27,260 --> 00:08:29,540 So Mum just ruled with an iron fist. 208 00:08:29,540 --> 00:08:33,820 I'm very easily influenced to do dumb shit, and my mum knew that. 209 00:08:33,820 --> 00:08:38,060 Do you want me to list all those naughty things that he was up to? 210 00:08:38,060 --> 00:08:38,300 Do you want me to list all those Oh, my. 211 00:08:38,300 --> 00:08:39,260 Oh, my. 212 00:08:39,260 --> 00:08:41,500 That will outweigh the good things. 213 00:08:42,940 --> 00:08:46,420 Education was a top priority for me. 214 00:08:46,420 --> 00:08:50,580 But he buckled down as he got older. 215 00:08:50,580 --> 00:08:55,660 He did put a lot of effort into his HSC and he was very keen 216 00:08:55,660 --> 00:08:57,900 that he gets top marks. 217 00:09:01,740 --> 00:09:06,020 AARON: Our dad, everyone in his circle, all blue collar mechanics, 218 00:09:06,020 --> 00:09:08,020 for example, was like, "Hey, don't be out here. 219 00:09:08,020 --> 00:09:08,260 for example, was like, "Go sit in the office." 220 00:09:08,260 --> 00:09:09,740 "Go sit in the office." 221 00:09:09,740 --> 00:09:09,980 So use your head, not your hands, "Go sit in the office." 222 00:09:09,980 --> 00:09:12,780 So use your head, not your hands, is what we got told. 223 00:09:14,780 --> 00:09:15,780 This station... 224 00:09:15,780 --> 00:09:16,020 My brother's going This station... 225 00:09:16,020 --> 00:09:18,460 My brother's going for a job interview. 226 00:09:18,460 --> 00:09:21,900 Very first job interview in the family. 227 00:09:21,900 --> 00:09:25,740 My brother is in a green suit and like a Bugs Bunny tie, 228 00:09:25,740 --> 00:09:27,980 going for his first job interview. 229 00:09:28,940 --> 00:09:31,700 Like, I don't know how he got the job. 230 00:09:31,700 --> 00:09:34,860 My Mum's like, "I will go to this interview with you." 231 00:09:34,860 --> 00:09:35,100 My Mum's like, "I will go What? So takes me along. 232 00:09:35,100 --> 00:09:37,820 What? So takes me along. 233 00:09:37,820 --> 00:09:38,060 You walk in through Martin Place, What? So takes me along. 234 00:09:38,060 --> 00:09:42,060 You walk in through Martin Place, I was...probably would have been 13. 235 00:09:42,060 --> 00:09:42,300 You walk in through Martin Place, And you smell money. 236 00:09:42,300 --> 00:09:45,780 And you smell money. 237 00:09:45,780 --> 00:09:47,460 You smell success. 238 00:09:47,460 --> 00:09:48,980 You smell suits. 239 00:09:48,980 --> 00:09:55,020 You can just see power and authority and success. 240 00:09:55,020 --> 00:09:59,820 And I'm like, "Man. Wanna be one of those dudes." 241 00:09:59,820 --> 00:10:02,940 Shaun had a great career. I mean, he studied finance at UTS. 242 00:10:02,940 --> 00:10:05,180 He went on to work for some incredible brands. 243 00:10:05,180 --> 00:10:05,420 He went on to work for some You know, Royal Bank of Canada. 244 00:10:05,420 --> 00:10:06,420 You know, Royal Bank of Canada. 245 00:10:06,420 --> 00:10:09,020 He worked for Macquarie Bank, for example, as well. 246 00:10:09,020 --> 00:10:09,300 So he definitely had an opportunity to really move upwards He worked for Macquarie Bank, for example, as well. 247 00:10:09,300 --> 00:10:13,660 So he definitely had an opportunity to really move upwards 248 00:10:13,660 --> 00:10:15,900 in the financial world. 249 00:10:15,900 --> 00:10:18,180 The world was just a bit different back then, 250 00:10:18,180 --> 00:10:20,140 especially the banking sector. 251 00:10:20,140 --> 00:10:22,940 It had very little diversity. 252 00:10:24,580 --> 00:10:27,900 I was the only person of colour on the whole floor. 253 00:10:27,900 --> 00:10:28,180 I was the only person of colour on the whole floor. So they called me Tamil Tiger as a nickname 254 00:10:28,180 --> 00:10:30,140 So they called me Tamil Tiger as a nickname 255 00:10:30,140 --> 00:10:30,380 So they called me Tamil Tiger and they thought it was a joke. 256 00:10:30,380 --> 00:10:31,940 and they thought it was a joke. 257 00:10:31,940 --> 00:10:34,420 They always admit it. It's casual racism. 258 00:10:35,340 --> 00:10:39,620 But the casual part doesn't justify it and it still hurts. 259 00:10:41,260 --> 00:10:43,100 One of my hardest days at work, 260 00:10:43,100 --> 00:10:46,260 Obama just got voted in as president. 261 00:10:46,260 --> 00:10:51,460 Right? So I call this dude in Perth. Very successful. Multi-millionaire. 262 00:10:51,460 --> 00:10:52,460 I knew his portfolio. 263 00:10:52,460 --> 00:10:53,540 It was huge. 264 00:10:53,540 --> 00:10:56,020 And the first words he said to me was, 265 00:10:56,020 --> 00:11:01,060 "Can you believe they voted a... N in America as president?" 266 00:11:01,060 --> 00:11:01,300 "Can you believe they voted a... N He doesn't know who I am. 267 00:11:01,300 --> 00:11:02,100 He doesn't know who I am. 268 00:11:02,100 --> 00:11:02,340 I'm Shaun Christie-David He doesn't know who I am. 269 00:11:02,340 --> 00:11:04,580 I'm Shaun Christie-David with the very, very white voice. 270 00:11:04,580 --> 00:11:07,620 Right? He doesn't think he's talking to a brown guy. 271 00:11:07,620 --> 00:11:07,860 Right? He doesn't think So he tells me that. 272 00:11:07,860 --> 00:11:09,340 So he tells me that. 273 00:11:09,340 --> 00:11:11,140 Shit. 274 00:11:11,140 --> 00:11:14,020 That changed... That's when I knew that it wasn't for me anymore. 275 00:11:20,260 --> 00:11:23,660 I think at some point he realised this isn't great for his soul 276 00:11:23,660 --> 00:11:27,460 and he probably felt like a bit of a square peg in a round hole. 277 00:11:27,460 --> 00:11:30,700 The moment that I knew what I had to do 278 00:11:30,700 --> 00:11:36,180 was when I went back to Sri Lanka and I walked back as an adult, 279 00:11:36,180 --> 00:11:42,660 an adult that had been told about Sri Lanka but never understood it, 280 00:11:42,660 --> 00:11:47,380 had been told about my luck and my privilege, but never got it. 281 00:11:47,380 --> 00:11:47,620 had been told about my luck I went to get a suit tailored. 282 00:11:47,620 --> 00:11:49,660 I went to get a suit tailored. 283 00:11:49,660 --> 00:11:53,540 These young boys, they measure you up. 284 00:11:53,540 --> 00:11:57,580 But the way they look at you, they look at you like you're made it. 285 00:11:57,580 --> 00:12:01,940 They look at you like you're somebody special 286 00:12:01,940 --> 00:12:03,300 and this incredible person. 287 00:12:03,300 --> 00:12:05,700 And I sat there. Fuck! It hit me. 288 00:12:05,700 --> 00:12:07,460 It hit me hard. 289 00:12:07,460 --> 00:12:09,860 I'm like, I'm not different to you. 290 00:12:09,860 --> 00:12:14,140 There's nothing that separates myself from you. 291 00:12:14,140 --> 00:12:16,940 But my parents got out. 292 00:12:18,180 --> 00:12:21,020 Something definitely changed him after that holiday. 293 00:12:21,020 --> 00:12:24,180 That probably lit a fuse at some point for Shaun, going, 294 00:12:24,180 --> 00:12:27,380 "I need to now do something with this, this gift that I've got," 295 00:12:27,380 --> 00:12:30,220 which is, you know, being born... being born and raised in Australia. 296 00:12:33,620 --> 00:12:36,820 I needed to build something that was meaningful. 297 00:12:36,820 --> 00:12:40,140 I didn't quite know what at the time. 298 00:12:41,100 --> 00:12:44,020 I look back on my childhood, watching my mum cook, 299 00:12:44,020 --> 00:12:45,420 expressing love that way. 300 00:12:45,420 --> 00:12:47,540 I saw the way that people ate her food 301 00:12:47,540 --> 00:12:51,060 and the joy and the impact that that had. 302 00:12:51,060 --> 00:12:55,740 All those things led me to understanding that food 303 00:12:55,740 --> 00:12:59,100 is the catalyst for the change that can happen. 304 00:13:01,660 --> 00:13:03,700 That's when I realised that opening a restaurant 305 00:13:03,700 --> 00:13:07,620 that celebrated my culture and that first generation migrant story 306 00:13:07,620 --> 00:13:07,860 that celebrated my culture and that was what I needed to do next. 307 00:13:07,860 --> 00:13:09,220 was what I needed to do next. 308 00:13:10,380 --> 00:13:12,140 AARON: And he really want to set up a restaurant 309 00:13:12,140 --> 00:13:15,500 where he could be proud of the Sri Lankan cuisine. 310 00:13:15,500 --> 00:13:17,820 Somewhere to bring friends that wasn't... 311 00:13:17,820 --> 00:13:21,620 ..something like what he calls daggy joints out in the western suburbs. 312 00:13:23,380 --> 00:13:26,780 So to get finance to then set up his new restaurant, 313 00:13:26,780 --> 00:13:28,380 it seemed like such a wild idea. 314 00:13:28,380 --> 00:13:30,900 It made sense to Shaun. 315 00:13:30,900 --> 00:13:34,740 If I could sum up Colombo Social, it's the story of my mum. 316 00:13:34,740 --> 00:13:34,980 If I could sum up Colombo Social, It's the story of her cooking. 317 00:13:34,980 --> 00:13:37,260 It's the story of her cooking. 318 00:13:37,260 --> 00:13:39,740 But it was also used as a vehicle to provide employment 319 00:13:39,740 --> 00:13:43,580 for people that would otherwise not get these opportunities. 320 00:13:43,580 --> 00:13:48,780 Everybody has made their plans this weekend to be with us. 321 00:13:48,780 --> 00:13:49,020 Everybody has made their plans It's a real honour to serve people. 322 00:13:49,020 --> 00:13:51,740 It's a real honour to serve people. 323 00:13:51,740 --> 00:13:56,620 His mission was to help asylum seekers find work. 324 00:13:56,620 --> 00:14:00,100 Give people that are fleeing their war-torn countries 325 00:14:00,100 --> 00:14:03,860 an opportunity to have employment, to get skilled. 326 00:14:03,860 --> 00:14:06,620 ..but also choosing to spend time with us. Alright, let's have fun! 327 00:14:20,820 --> 00:14:24,180 My mum spent weeks with our chefs. 328 00:14:25,180 --> 00:14:27,460 SHIRANIE: We do our cooking with a little bit of this, 329 00:14:27,460 --> 00:14:27,700 SHIRANIE: We do our cooking a little bit of that, 330 00:14:27,700 --> 00:14:28,780 a little bit of that, 331 00:14:28,780 --> 00:14:31,980 so it was very hard for me to write down recipes 332 00:14:31,980 --> 00:14:32,220 and give it to him. so it was very hard for me to write down recipes 333 00:14:32,220 --> 00:14:33,740 and give it to him. 334 00:14:33,740 --> 00:14:36,820 But, uh, I did it in the end. 335 00:14:36,820 --> 00:14:37,060 But, uh, I did it in the end. And I felt very honoured that he asked me that. 336 00:14:37,060 --> 00:14:40,220 And I felt very honoured that he asked me that. 337 00:14:46,180 --> 00:14:47,380 Hello. 338 00:14:49,740 --> 00:14:52,340 We have rotis as well. 339 00:14:52,340 --> 00:14:54,780 And you have the infamous... 340 00:14:54,780 --> 00:14:56,180 ..my mama's dhal. 341 00:14:56,180 --> 00:15:00,220 The dhal is one of our biggest dishes. 342 00:15:00,220 --> 00:15:02,780 That stuff that used to make me so embarrassed, 343 00:15:02,780 --> 00:15:03,020 That stuff that used to I now serve with pride? 344 00:15:03,020 --> 00:15:05,260 I now serve with pride? 345 00:15:05,260 --> 00:15:07,460 So this is amma's dhal. 346 00:15:07,460 --> 00:15:11,740 It's lentils, turmeric, garlic, um, 347 00:15:11,740 --> 00:15:13,620 a bit of fried curry leaves and fried onion. 348 00:15:13,620 --> 00:15:16,420 That's the most... It's the dish that made this whole restaurant. 349 00:15:16,420 --> 00:15:19,940 Colombo Social went absolutely bananas. 350 00:15:19,940 --> 00:15:22,460 I think at one point it was the show's most googled restaurant 351 00:15:22,460 --> 00:15:24,820 for three months straight once it opened. 352 00:15:24,820 --> 00:15:27,700 They're desperate for beer. Give them what they want! 353 00:15:27,700 --> 00:15:27,940 They're desperate for beer. Lines out the door. 354 00:15:27,940 --> 00:15:29,460 Lines out the door. 355 00:15:29,460 --> 00:15:29,700 We opened to waiting lists Lines out the door. 356 00:15:29,700 --> 00:15:31,980 We opened to waiting lists for months. 357 00:15:31,980 --> 00:15:34,500 Colombo Social, the restaurant that you can't get into. 358 00:15:34,500 --> 00:15:37,180 Been really proud of our culture, but also being very... 359 00:15:37,180 --> 00:15:38,260 Shaun had a mission. 360 00:15:38,260 --> 00:15:41,380 I think the mission really resonated with a lot of people. 361 00:15:41,380 --> 00:15:41,620 I think the mission really resonated The staff that we employ 362 00:15:41,620 --> 00:15:43,860 The staff that we employ 363 00:15:43,860 --> 00:15:46,540 are people that are from underrepresented communities, 364 00:15:46,540 --> 00:15:50,060 that don't deserve the barriers that are in front of them to employment. 365 00:15:50,060 --> 00:15:51,340 Ah, come on. Move! 366 00:15:51,340 --> 00:15:53,980 I won a birth lottery that allowed me 367 00:15:53,980 --> 00:15:57,300 to be born and raised in the best country in the world. 368 00:15:58,380 --> 00:16:01,900 We grew up with a lot of opportunities 369 00:16:01,900 --> 00:16:05,220 that most people that look like me didn't get. 370 00:16:05,220 --> 00:16:09,380 That notion of being able to contribute 371 00:16:09,380 --> 00:16:09,620 That notion of being able and give... 372 00:16:09,620 --> 00:16:11,260 and give... 373 00:16:11,260 --> 00:16:13,660 Like, give them a chance. 374 00:16:13,660 --> 00:16:15,660 A chance that they never got. 375 00:16:15,660 --> 00:16:15,900 And that...that drives me, A chance that they never got. 376 00:16:15,900 --> 00:16:20,180 And that...that drives me, that fuels me all the time. 377 00:16:26,820 --> 00:16:29,660 We've had a customer and they're like, "Look... 378 00:16:29,660 --> 00:16:31,500 "..got this young girl, can you interview her?" 379 00:16:31,500 --> 00:16:31,740 "..got this young girl, But we'll fully staffed up. 380 00:16:31,740 --> 00:16:33,700 But we'll fully staffed up. 381 00:16:33,700 --> 00:16:37,740 WOMAN: I came here when I was maybe 12 years old 382 00:16:37,740 --> 00:16:39,340 with my two little sisters. 383 00:16:39,340 --> 00:16:39,580 I was born in Yemen and then I came to Australia from Indonesia. with my two little sisters. 384 00:16:39,580 --> 00:16:44,140 I was born in Yemen and then I came to Australia from Indonesia. 385 00:16:44,140 --> 00:16:44,380 I was born in Yemen and then I came to Australia from Indonesia. For a better, safer future. 386 00:16:44,380 --> 00:16:45,780 For a better, safer future. 387 00:16:45,780 --> 00:16:47,700 There've been delays. 388 00:16:47,700 --> 00:16:51,020 She's like, "My name is Fatima. 389 00:16:51,020 --> 00:16:52,500 "I'm 18 years old. 390 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:54,660 "I can't speak English very well." 391 00:16:54,660 --> 00:16:57,060 And she spent years 392 00:16:57,060 --> 00:16:59,620 on different boats in countries, 393 00:16:59,620 --> 00:17:03,860 and she graduated successfully from high school. 394 00:17:03,860 --> 00:17:08,780 She raised her little sister here without her parents. 395 00:17:08,780 --> 00:17:13,340 And I said, "If you could do all that before the age of 18, 396 00:17:13,340 --> 00:17:16,620 "you can carry a tray of bloody food and drinks 397 00:17:16,620 --> 00:17:16,860 "you can carry a tray of bloody "and take it out to people." 398 00:17:16,860 --> 00:17:18,260 "and take it out to people." 399 00:17:19,940 --> 00:17:21,700 It was my first job. 400 00:17:21,700 --> 00:17:24,220 Because my temporary visa was very hard to get a job, 401 00:17:24,220 --> 00:17:24,460 Because my temporary visa because when you apply for jobs, 402 00:17:24,460 --> 00:17:26,340 because when you apply for jobs, 403 00:17:26,340 --> 00:17:26,580 they always look at when your visa because when you apply for jobs, 404 00:17:26,580 --> 00:17:29,260 they always look at when your visa is expiring. 405 00:17:29,260 --> 00:17:32,780 Shaun was very chill. He didn't look at my visa or anything. (LAUGHS) 406 00:17:32,780 --> 00:17:35,180 I didn't know we had to! (LAUGHS) We just had a chat, 407 00:17:35,180 --> 00:17:37,420 "Oh, you're hired." Oops. 408 00:17:38,420 --> 00:17:40,700 As long as they've got a legal right to work in Australia, 409 00:17:40,700 --> 00:17:40,940 As long as they've got a legal right that's all we look for. 410 00:17:40,940 --> 00:17:42,420 that's all we look for. 411 00:17:42,420 --> 00:17:47,580 We promoted her after two years to the head of training 412 00:17:47,580 --> 00:17:50,900 to run all our training programs for all our staff. 413 00:17:50,900 --> 00:17:51,140 to run all our training programs You're that good. 414 00:17:51,140 --> 00:17:52,300 You're that good. 415 00:17:52,300 --> 00:17:52,500 You learn so much from these people You're that good. 416 00:17:52,500 --> 00:17:53,660 You learn so much from these people 417 00:17:53,660 --> 00:17:57,140 that have just been through so much pain. 418 00:17:57,140 --> 00:17:57,420 that have just been through so much pain. Just watching 'em grow from people who couldn't speak English 419 00:17:57,420 --> 00:17:59,740 Just watching 'em grow from people who couldn't speak English 420 00:17:59,740 --> 00:18:01,380 to people running restaurants. 421 00:18:03,900 --> 00:18:06,940 The restaurant was heaving. It was pumping. 422 00:18:06,940 --> 00:18:09,540 Then we get told the next week we're not going to open our doors. 423 00:18:09,540 --> 00:18:09,780 Then we get told the next week That we'll shut down for COVID. 424 00:18:09,780 --> 00:18:11,620 That we'll shut down for COVID. 425 00:18:13,060 --> 00:18:15,740 It was a brutal, brutal day. 426 00:18:17,380 --> 00:18:20,060 AARON: But then, true to Shaun's form, he thinks on his feet 427 00:18:20,060 --> 00:18:22,580 and goes, "Right, we've got a kitchen, we've got a team, 428 00:18:22,580 --> 00:18:25,380 "and we've got people that need to be fed because they're locked down. 429 00:18:25,380 --> 00:18:27,660 "They don't have access to food or they can't afford it." 430 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:39,220 Regular drop off Mondays. Redfern. 431 00:18:39,220 --> 00:18:41,700 That goes to the Department of Communities and Justice. 432 00:18:47,260 --> 00:18:49,700 WOMAN: I just take the charity meals, 433 00:18:49,700 --> 00:18:49,940 the community meal. WOMAN: I just take the charity meals, 434 00:18:49,940 --> 00:18:51,460 the community meal. 435 00:18:51,460 --> 00:18:55,780 I drop it. Every Monday I go and drop it off at 10:30. 436 00:18:59,140 --> 00:19:02,940 SHIRANIE: We used to talk about pay it forward. 437 00:19:02,940 --> 00:19:05,700 People don't have to know what you've done, but just do it. 438 00:19:05,700 --> 00:19:09,220 And then that person might do it and pay it forward. 439 00:19:11,820 --> 00:19:14,860 Oh, I'm starving. Yum, yum, yum! 440 00:19:14,860 --> 00:19:18,580 It was literally plating food forward to people that needed it. 441 00:19:18,580 --> 00:19:20,620 Then someone said, "You should be charity." 442 00:19:20,620 --> 00:19:20,860 Then someone said, So we became a charity 443 00:19:20,860 --> 00:19:22,300 So we became a charity 444 00:19:22,300 --> 00:19:25,460 and then that was how it's all kind of started from that. 445 00:19:25,460 --> 00:19:27,060 Thank you for the great job you do. 446 00:19:27,060 --> 00:19:28,540 Thank you. 447 00:19:29,700 --> 00:19:31,420 Then it became employment opportunities. 448 00:19:31,420 --> 00:19:35,500 And while it's large and a bigger movement than we first anticipated, 449 00:19:35,500 --> 00:19:40,060 I can't stop because I know what great people are going through. 450 00:19:40,060 --> 00:19:43,620 I know what hardships there are in the world. They tell me. 451 00:19:44,940 --> 00:19:47,580 NOLA: I was inside for nearly five years. 452 00:19:47,580 --> 00:19:50,460 INTERVIEWER: Is it hard when you've been in prison to get work? 453 00:19:50,460 --> 00:19:50,700 INTERVIEWER: Is it hard when you've It's so hard. 454 00:19:50,700 --> 00:19:52,020 It's so hard. 455 00:19:52,020 --> 00:19:55,540 But now I'm a single mum 456 00:19:55,540 --> 00:19:58,980 and I can provide for my kids. 457 00:19:58,980 --> 00:19:59,220 It's given me a great sense and I can provide for my kids. 458 00:19:59,220 --> 00:20:01,620 It's given me a great sense of security. 459 00:20:02,780 --> 00:20:05,740 Yeah. No, no, no. It's fine. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. 460 00:20:05,740 --> 00:20:08,540 AARON: The mission is bigger than the bank balance for Shaun 461 00:20:08,540 --> 00:20:12,300 and within a few months... Shaun's broke. 462 00:20:12,300 --> 00:20:14,540 It's just... Yeah, it is what it is. 463 00:20:14,540 --> 00:20:17,660 I think we were 70,000 meals by the time we ran out of money. 464 00:20:17,660 --> 00:20:17,940 I think we were 70,000 meals by the time we ran out of money. I had my third credit card declined. (CHUCKLES WRYLY) 465 00:20:17,940 --> 00:20:20,740 I had my third credit card declined. (CHUCKLES WRYLY) 466 00:20:20,740 --> 00:20:22,580 Boom, boom, boom. Nope. No money left. 467 00:20:34,020 --> 00:20:38,380 And I met an incredible person, the very first person that said, 468 00:20:38,380 --> 00:20:39,860 "I'll give you some cash to keep this going. 469 00:20:39,860 --> 00:20:41,660 "If you can focus on the food, I'll give you some cash." 470 00:20:41,660 --> 00:20:43,420 And we've been lucky enough from that point 471 00:20:43,420 --> 00:20:43,660 And we've been lucky enough to have some corporations and... 472 00:20:43,660 --> 00:20:45,700 to have some corporations and... 473 00:20:45,700 --> 00:20:49,300 ..and some...some individuals and people back this to keep it going. 474 00:20:50,780 --> 00:20:52,740 Nice one, chef. Thank you. 475 00:20:52,740 --> 00:20:55,540 This is the kitchen where all are donated meals happen from. 476 00:20:55,540 --> 00:21:01,260 So we're cooking about 3,000 meals each week, but it is often chaotic, 477 00:21:01,260 --> 00:21:01,500 So we're cooking about 3,000 meals but a lot of fun. 478 00:21:01,500 --> 00:21:03,340 but a lot of fun. 479 00:21:03,340 --> 00:21:03,580 That's 'cause rice will but a lot of fun. 480 00:21:03,580 --> 00:21:06,300 That's 'cause rice will fucking get everywhere. 481 00:21:06,300 --> 00:21:09,980 MITCH: Restaurants are really, really, really difficult 482 00:21:09,980 --> 00:21:10,220 MITCH: Restaurants are really, at the best of times. 483 00:21:10,220 --> 00:21:11,780 at the best of times. 484 00:21:11,780 --> 00:21:12,020 And when you add the pressure of being a social enterprise to that, at the best of times. 485 00:21:12,020 --> 00:21:16,340 And when you add the pressure of being a social enterprise to that, 486 00:21:16,340 --> 00:21:19,420 I...I think it's a really big challenge. 487 00:21:22,060 --> 00:21:23,260 How are you? 488 00:21:25,740 --> 00:21:27,940 Good to see you. Welcome. 489 00:21:27,940 --> 00:21:28,980 Happy Monday. 490 00:21:30,660 --> 00:21:32,900 Alright. How is everybody? Everyone alright? 491 00:21:32,900 --> 00:21:35,500 The financial stability comes from our catering company, 492 00:21:35,500 --> 00:21:40,140 which underpins all the work that we do out in the community. 493 00:21:40,140 --> 00:21:43,860 Today, 500 rice and curry boxes are going out 494 00:21:43,860 --> 00:21:44,100 Today, 500 rice and curry boxes to one of our biggest clients. 495 00:21:44,100 --> 00:21:45,260 to one of our biggest clients. 496 00:21:45,260 --> 00:21:45,500 Um, this is what funds to one of our biggest clients. 497 00:21:45,500 --> 00:21:47,940 Um, this is what funds the whole charitable purpose. 498 00:21:49,420 --> 00:21:52,620 Shaun's had that realisation that it's better for him 499 00:21:52,620 --> 00:21:55,860 and Plate It Forward to be around for as long as possible, 500 00:21:55,860 --> 00:21:59,620 rather than just be a flash in the pan and burn out. 501 00:22:02,740 --> 00:22:04,300 Can I help you? 502 00:22:04,300 --> 00:22:08,460 The concept of Colombo Social worked so well that it became the blueprint 503 00:22:08,460 --> 00:22:08,700 The concept of Colombo Social worked for the next restaurant. 504 00:22:08,700 --> 00:22:11,220 for the next restaurant. 505 00:22:11,220 --> 00:22:13,340 The situation in Afghanistan happened. 506 00:22:13,340 --> 00:22:15,700 People have fled the Taliban. 507 00:22:15,700 --> 00:22:17,460 They've gone into hotel quarantine. 508 00:22:17,460 --> 00:22:18,460 Thank you. 509 00:22:18,460 --> 00:22:18,700 And then a federal government Thank you. 510 00:22:18,700 --> 00:22:21,380 And then a federal government agency called me. 511 00:22:21,380 --> 00:22:24,900 It's another 2,500, 3,000 meals that we need each week. 512 00:22:27,620 --> 00:22:29,860 Then we got to meet them. Then I... Far out. 513 00:22:29,860 --> 00:22:31,380 Then I knew what we had to do. 514 00:22:31,380 --> 00:22:35,580 Right. These were... These were lovely, lovely people. 515 00:22:35,580 --> 00:22:35,820 Right. These were... Kabul Social was born. 516 00:22:35,820 --> 00:22:37,380 Kabul Social was born. 517 00:22:40,180 --> 00:22:42,940 So Roya is the head chef of Kabul Social. 518 00:22:42,940 --> 00:22:45,140 Recipes from her mum that's been passed down 519 00:22:45,140 --> 00:22:48,260 now sits front and centre at the restaurant. 520 00:22:48,260 --> 00:22:48,500 now sits front and centre Thank you. 521 00:22:48,500 --> 00:22:49,260 Thank you. 522 00:22:49,260 --> 00:22:53,780 For Afghanistan, people, a lot of women just stay at home 523 00:22:53,780 --> 00:22:55,660 and look after family. 524 00:22:56,860 --> 00:22:59,220 I work here, I'm very happy. 525 00:22:59,220 --> 00:23:00,220 Yep. 526 00:23:00,220 --> 00:23:03,140 I feel I'm very strong woman. Mm. 527 00:23:03,140 --> 00:23:03,380 I feel I'm very strong woman. Mm. You know? 528 00:23:03,380 --> 00:23:04,700 You know? 529 00:23:04,700 --> 00:23:07,180 I look after my child. 530 00:23:08,380 --> 00:23:10,940 And work outside. 531 00:23:12,340 --> 00:23:13,780 I'm very lucky. 532 00:23:13,780 --> 00:23:15,300 Yeah. 533 00:23:15,300 --> 00:23:16,980 Because... Yeah. We're lucky to have you. 534 00:23:19,620 --> 00:23:22,580 When you educate women, you increase life expectancy, 535 00:23:22,580 --> 00:23:27,540 you increase health outcomes, you increase community outcomes, 536 00:23:27,540 --> 00:23:28,500 you build better communities, 537 00:23:28,500 --> 00:23:30,020 your education levels go up. 538 00:23:30,020 --> 00:23:32,900 So we have a strong woman at the centre of every single one 539 00:23:32,900 --> 00:23:33,140 So we have a strong woman of our venues. 540 00:23:33,140 --> 00:23:34,140 of our venues. 541 00:23:34,140 --> 00:23:36,780 OK. So, 50 on the books tonight. 542 00:23:36,780 --> 00:23:37,020 So we've got a 14 coming OK. So, 50 on the books tonight. 543 00:23:37,020 --> 00:23:39,260 So we've got a 14 coming in 15 minutes... 544 00:23:39,260 --> 00:23:42,300 He never expected to be a Kyiv Social. 545 00:23:42,300 --> 00:23:42,540 He never expected to be The Ukraine war simply happened. 546 00:23:42,540 --> 00:23:43,940 The Ukraine war simply happened. 547 00:23:43,940 --> 00:23:46,420 And he jumped on that and found a solution. 548 00:23:46,420 --> 00:23:47,700 Alright. Good? Yeah. 549 00:23:47,700 --> 00:23:48,900 Ready for tonight? Yeah. 550 00:23:48,900 --> 00:23:51,420 Alright. Perfect. Let's do it. Thank you. 551 00:23:51,420 --> 00:23:54,860 Kyiv Social has been known as the most experienced hospitality team 552 00:23:54,860 --> 00:23:57,380 in the world without having any hospitality experience. 553 00:23:57,380 --> 00:24:00,940 Um, we've got a pilot, we've got aeronautical engineers, 554 00:24:00,940 --> 00:24:03,980 we've got economists from the Central Bank of Ukraine, 555 00:24:03,980 --> 00:24:08,260 we have someone very special as well, Iryna, who's a doctor, GP, 556 00:24:08,260 --> 00:24:09,860 back in Ukraine as well. 557 00:24:09,860 --> 00:24:12,420 So, been with us from day one, haven't you? 558 00:24:12,420 --> 00:24:13,620 Yeah. Yeah. 559 00:24:13,620 --> 00:24:16,140 Her mum and her auntie work here as well. 560 00:24:18,420 --> 00:24:20,460 Iryna is, uh, she's a doctor. 561 00:24:20,460 --> 00:24:21,940 (SPEAKS UKRAINIAN) 562 00:24:23,180 --> 00:24:26,100 I work about 40 hours a week. 563 00:24:26,100 --> 00:24:29,020 Yeah, five days a week, full time. 564 00:24:29,020 --> 00:24:29,260 Yeah, five days a week, full time. Some allergy dietaries? No, just one? 565 00:24:29,260 --> 00:24:31,260 Some allergy dietaries? No, just one? 566 00:24:31,260 --> 00:24:31,500 Some allergy dietaries? Just..just one... 567 00:24:31,500 --> 00:24:32,260 Just..just one... 568 00:24:32,260 --> 00:24:35,900 My English very improve every day. 569 00:24:35,900 --> 00:24:38,380 I can speak with customer, with workmates, 570 00:24:38,380 --> 00:24:40,020 so I'm happy for that. 571 00:24:44,740 --> 00:24:47,420 Too much food hits the table at once, it makes it hard to... 572 00:24:47,420 --> 00:24:49,420 OK, OK. Yeah, that makes it easier. 573 00:24:49,420 --> 00:24:51,940 AARON: There's no blueprint that he's following. 574 00:24:51,940 --> 00:24:54,700 He's writing the script as he goes along. 575 00:24:54,700 --> 00:24:57,740 Borscht, like a traditional Ukrainian red borscht. 576 00:24:57,740 --> 00:24:59,540 Where's the next war gonna come from? He doesn't know. 577 00:24:59,540 --> 00:24:59,780 Where's the next war What's the next Covid? 578 00:24:59,780 --> 00:25:00,660 What's the next Covid? 579 00:25:00,660 --> 00:25:03,300 He doesn't know, but all he knows is that he's got the equipment, 580 00:25:03,300 --> 00:25:05,380 he's got the team, he's got the blueprint to go, 581 00:25:05,380 --> 00:25:07,860 "I can jump on this pretty quickly as well." 582 00:25:09,820 --> 00:25:11,380 Anybody else want to order a cocktail? 583 00:25:11,380 --> 00:25:11,620 Anybody else want to order I'm very good at cocktails. 584 00:25:11,620 --> 00:25:12,700 I'm very good at cocktails. 585 00:25:12,700 --> 00:25:13,700 The pickle martini. 586 00:25:13,700 --> 00:25:13,940 It's fucking good. The pickle martini. 587 00:25:13,940 --> 00:25:14,700 It's fucking good. Alright. 588 00:25:14,700 --> 00:25:16,660 You don't have to be an angel to do good work. 589 00:25:16,660 --> 00:25:16,900 You don't have to be an angel Smash that Aperol spritz. 590 00:25:16,900 --> 00:25:18,620 Smash that Aperol spritz. 591 00:25:18,620 --> 00:25:21,100 Two pickle martinis. Yeah, I'll just fucking drink 'em. 592 00:25:21,100 --> 00:25:22,780 I'm not everyone's cup of tea. 593 00:25:22,780 --> 00:25:23,740 Um... Trust me. 594 00:25:23,740 --> 00:25:25,220 Alright. 595 00:25:25,220 --> 00:25:26,580 Let me see if I remember this. 596 00:25:26,580 --> 00:25:26,820 But I shouldn't be embarrassed Let me see if I remember this. 597 00:25:26,820 --> 00:25:29,060 But I shouldn't be embarrassed of who I am anymore. 598 00:25:29,060 --> 00:25:30,700 Three pickle martinis. 599 00:25:30,700 --> 00:25:33,940 JOHN: Saying no to Shaun is not a wise idea. 600 00:25:33,940 --> 00:25:34,820 Gotcha. 601 00:25:34,820 --> 00:25:35,020 The man has so many ideas. Gotcha. 602 00:25:35,020 --> 00:25:37,060 The man has so many ideas. 603 00:25:37,060 --> 00:25:39,140 He has so many ideas that it scares me. 604 00:25:39,140 --> 00:25:39,420 He has so many ideas that it scares me. Once I realised that, yeah, just... just go with him, 605 00:25:39,420 --> 00:25:41,940 Once I realised that, yeah, just... just go with him, 606 00:25:41,940 --> 00:25:44,900 and we managed to really find a great way to work together. 607 00:25:51,420 --> 00:25:53,860 I can't sit... Like, I don't like sitting still. 608 00:25:53,860 --> 00:25:54,100 I can't sit... Like, I don't like it. 609 00:25:54,100 --> 00:25:56,540 Like, I don't like it. 610 00:25:56,540 --> 00:25:59,340 I don't find it... I don't find it relaxing. 611 00:25:59,340 --> 00:26:03,500 But like music or people. You know, I like people. 612 00:26:04,900 --> 00:26:07,420 Just being around people. 613 00:26:07,420 --> 00:26:09,820 Hello, Shaun from Plate It Forward. 614 00:26:18,380 --> 00:26:19,580 Hello, mate. Cuz. 615 00:26:21,140 --> 00:26:22,620 How are you? 616 00:26:22,620 --> 00:26:25,060 Bud sends his love. Oh, yeah. How's he going? 617 00:26:25,060 --> 00:26:25,860 He's good, he's good. 618 00:26:25,860 --> 00:26:27,700 How are you, most importantly? Yeah. 619 00:26:27,700 --> 00:26:30,700 Hey? Come on! (LAUGHS) 620 00:26:30,700 --> 00:26:32,180 So what we're doing today is Second Chance Kitchen 621 00:26:32,180 --> 00:26:32,420 So what we're doing today over in Cobham Youth. 622 00:26:32,420 --> 00:26:33,660 over in Cobham Youth. 623 00:26:33,660 --> 00:26:36,300 MAN: Now using the fingertips we're going to start in the middle 624 00:26:36,300 --> 00:26:38,820 and push our way out to the crust to make a nice... 625 00:26:38,820 --> 00:26:41,700 The program where Mitch comes in every week with myself 626 00:26:41,700 --> 00:26:45,740 and another celebrity chef to engage with young people... 627 00:26:45,740 --> 00:26:49,700 Alright. We're gonna do small increments of stretching. 628 00:26:49,700 --> 00:26:53,100 MITCH: The idea of the program is that we bring strong male mentors 629 00:26:53,100 --> 00:26:53,380 into the centre for the young people to connect with MITCH: The idea of the program is that we bring strong male mentors 630 00:26:53,380 --> 00:26:55,860 into the centre for the young people to connect with 631 00:26:55,860 --> 00:26:59,740 and see that there is other ways to live their life. 632 00:26:59,740 --> 00:26:59,980 and see that there is other ways to live their life. Yeah. Do it again. 633 00:26:59,980 --> 00:27:02,260 Yeah. Do it again. 634 00:27:03,100 --> 00:27:04,980 Give you some of that cheese for your hair. 635 00:27:04,980 --> 00:27:05,220 Give you some of that cheese Is that why it's so yellow? 636 00:27:05,220 --> 00:27:07,100 Is that why it's so yellow? 637 00:27:07,100 --> 00:27:10,500 We've been able to employ two people so far afterwards, 638 00:27:10,500 --> 00:27:12,100 and they're working out well. 639 00:27:12,100 --> 00:27:14,260 Yeah, yeah, he's a... 640 00:27:14,260 --> 00:27:15,820 Yeah, you'd be good at it. 641 00:27:15,820 --> 00:27:16,700 Get it in there. Yeah. 642 00:27:16,700 --> 00:27:17,740 No, no. 643 00:27:17,740 --> 00:27:20,180 Onto the right a bit. Beautiful. 644 00:27:20,180 --> 00:27:21,260 Slide it through the crust. 645 00:27:21,260 --> 00:27:22,940 Cut the crust. 646 00:27:22,940 --> 00:27:24,180 Oh, yeah. How'd you find today, bro? 647 00:27:24,180 --> 00:27:25,940 Yeah, no, um, it was good, you know? 648 00:27:25,940 --> 00:27:27,340 Pizzas are good, eh? 649 00:27:27,340 --> 00:27:27,580 No one's ever shown us boys in here Pizzas are good, eh? 650 00:27:27,580 --> 00:27:31,260 No one's ever shown us boys in here that they actually care about us. 651 00:27:31,260 --> 00:27:34,940 Youse gave us so much help and then so much, you know, trust 652 00:27:34,940 --> 00:27:35,180 Youse gave us so much help that we needed off youse. 653 00:27:35,180 --> 00:27:36,220 that we needed off youse. 654 00:27:36,220 --> 00:27:38,900 Youse were like father-figures to us. 655 00:27:38,900 --> 00:27:41,500 It's a highlight of my week coming on a Wednesday, you know? 656 00:27:41,500 --> 00:27:44,140 Every week same time, and knowing that, you know, 657 00:27:44,140 --> 00:27:47,540 we get to hang out with you guys in a way that's just fucking meaningful, 658 00:27:47,540 --> 00:27:47,780 we get to hang out with you guys in a that you guys enjoy it, we enjoy it. 659 00:27:47,780 --> 00:27:49,340 that you guys enjoy it, we enjoy it. 660 00:27:49,340 --> 00:27:51,420 Fuck. It means a lot, man. It means a lot. 661 00:27:51,420 --> 00:27:53,260 Thanks, bro. Thank you. 662 00:27:53,260 --> 00:27:57,820 For Shaun, there's no one face for this and one face for that. 663 00:27:57,820 --> 00:27:58,060 For Shaun, there's no one face He's who he is. 664 00:27:58,060 --> 00:27:59,300 He's who he is. 665 00:27:59,300 --> 00:28:02,660 Yeah, he really does fucking care. Yeah. 666 00:28:02,660 --> 00:28:05,740 And now I'm getting emotional about it. 667 00:28:05,740 --> 00:28:05,980 And now I'm getting emotional (LAUGHS) 668 00:28:05,980 --> 00:28:07,300 (LAUGHS) 669 00:28:07,300 --> 00:28:09,500 Speak different languages... 670 00:28:11,220 --> 00:28:13,900 JOHN: You see the difference that it makes to these people's lives. 671 00:28:13,900 --> 00:28:15,580 You want to make sure that that keeps going. 672 00:28:15,580 --> 00:28:17,860 And I'm sure that weight on Shaun is huge. 673 00:28:22,060 --> 00:28:25,300 The toll that this has taken has been brutal. 674 00:28:27,020 --> 00:28:28,620 It's been tough. 675 00:28:30,540 --> 00:28:32,380 The hard reality of what we set up 676 00:28:32,380 --> 00:28:32,620 was that there was always going to be The hard reality of what we set up 677 00:28:32,620 --> 00:28:34,500 was that there was always going to be an immense amount of need 678 00:28:34,500 --> 00:28:34,740 was that there was always going to be that was coming to us. 679 00:28:34,740 --> 00:28:36,260 that was coming to us. 680 00:28:40,540 --> 00:28:43,100 It's very hard, I guess, if you're a high achieving, 681 00:28:43,100 --> 00:28:43,340 It's very hard, I guess, high performing individual, 682 00:28:43,340 --> 00:28:44,380 high performing individual, 683 00:28:44,380 --> 00:28:44,620 you feel like you're never... high performing individual, 684 00:28:44,620 --> 00:28:47,420 you feel like you're never... your mission's never achieved. 685 00:28:47,420 --> 00:28:49,740 At what point do you go, "My work is done"? 686 00:28:51,300 --> 00:28:56,180 Everyone told me this for many years - "You can't save everybody." 687 00:28:56,180 --> 00:28:58,300 It's hard not to take on the emotional baggage 688 00:28:58,300 --> 00:29:01,780 that comes from working with complex needs and complex people. 689 00:29:01,780 --> 00:29:03,060 It's hard not to. 690 00:29:03,060 --> 00:29:07,180 I'd never given myself that chance to sit back and actually reflect 691 00:29:07,180 --> 00:29:10,940 on what we've achieved, and it's pretty incredible. 692 00:29:12,060 --> 00:29:16,340 I laughed at the moment I heard that you guys were interviewing Shaun 693 00:29:16,340 --> 00:29:18,060 because I was like, "You're here too early." 694 00:29:18,060 --> 00:29:21,780 I think it's only the beginning of the story. 695 00:29:21,780 --> 00:29:23,300 I've definitely given up trying to predict, 696 00:29:23,300 --> 00:29:25,820 but there's a long story to go, that's for sure. 697 00:29:44,380 --> 00:29:46,620 Let's plate this up. Try and keep it hot. 698 00:29:46,620 --> 00:29:48,100 LEIGH SALES: Next time on Australian Story, 699 00:29:48,100 --> 00:29:50,900 we go behind the scenes with one of Australia's best known chefs, 700 00:29:50,900 --> 00:29:51,140 we go behind the scenes with one of Kylie Kwong, 701 00:29:51,140 --> 00:29:52,220 Kylie Kwong, 702 00:29:52,220 --> 00:29:54,140 as she reveals some big news. 703 00:29:54,140 --> 00:29:54,380 I've been running restaurants as she reveals some big news. 704 00:29:54,380 --> 00:29:56,740 I've been running restaurants for 24 years, 705 00:29:56,740 --> 00:29:56,980 I've been running restaurants literally behind the stove. 706 00:29:56,980 --> 00:29:59,380 literally behind the stove. 707 00:29:59,380 --> 00:29:59,620 literally behind the stove. But I can feel a shift occurring inside of me. 708 00:29:59,620 --> 00:30:02,420 But I can feel a shift occurring inside of me. 709 00:30:02,420 --> 00:30:03,980 Captions by Red Bee Media 710 00:30:03,980 --> 00:30:06,180 Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation