Free to Feed in Northcote, Victoria | Non-profit organisation

Free to Feed

Locality: Northcote, Victoria

Address: 539 High St 3070 Northcote, VIC, Australia

Website: http://www.freetofeed.org.au

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25.01.2022 I'm looking forward to a day when we can once again feast together. Until then and for today, I'm wishing the fathers of this world all the happiness,peace and love." sweet words from Shadi, pictured here with another one of the wonderful Free to Feed dads Ricard. We are humbled and comforted by the sacrifice, strength and tenderness we see every day in the fathers and father figures who make up our Free to Feed family. We are so very lucky to cook with them, be taught by them and have them in our community. Happy Father's Day!

25.01.2022 "Green beans, fava beans,zucchini, cucumber, eggplant these vegetables grow in most Iraqis own gardens. In Spring, we make big batches of food, like tomato paste, which we put in the fridge and use all year, dolma and biryani, which we love to bring to parties. Everyone goes to beautiful areas and has picnics with dancing." Sundus, Iraq. Spring has started but for many of us, this year, Winter’s shadow is long. Our participant’s vibrant and encouraging memories of Spring from all around the world are the perfect pairing for on of the tastiest #bravemeals menus yet Orders for delivery or pick up on the 24th of September are now LIVE! BRAVE BURBS DELIVERY ZONES FOR 24/9 are: South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Toorak, Armadale, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kooyong, Camberwell, Malvern!

24.01.2022 Meet Safia! A florist, designer and artist who's work has taken her around the world. Safia has recently come on board to create magical blooms to be paired with freshly baked Baklava just in time for Mother's Day! You can pick them up from our Northcote space or have them delivered locally on March 8th Safia and Zina are also pairing up to teach the art of Blooms & Baklava - an immersive and beautiful floristsry and cooking class - the very first workshop to run out of our new North Fitzroy events space! (May 22nd and 29th) All order and ticket links and details are in our bio!

23.01.2022 Welcome to part two of our good news week! Free to Feed's powerhouse CEO Loretta Bolotin has just been awarded the @melbfoodandwine Trailblazer Award for an outstanding contribution to the advancement of the Victorian food and drink industry! In an industry as diverse and wonderful as Melbourne’s that’s something to truly celebrate! Loretta has been recognised for using the dinner table as a place to build communities making our city and our state a better place to eat an...d drink (through thick and thin). It’s about kindness, caring, welcome, looking after people, says Bolotin. All the little details. Ensuring that when guests come around your table they’re treated like family. - Loretta Bolotin. Congratulations Loretta, your leadership allows so many people from all walks of life to shine. your Free to Feed family! Head to the MFWF website to see the full list of legends. Melbourne, we've SO got this.

22.01.2022 Launching our Spring Menu! Here's to a fresh start, spring rituals, quiet sun-drenched observations and eating amazing food that supports our community! Some of our participants have generously shared beautiful spring memories from their home countries this month. Often, the beginning of spring marks a new calendar year and celebrations call for plenty of eating, dancing in brightly coloured clothes, flowers, mountains and enjoying fresh ripe bountiful produce! These scene...s are always recalled with sparkling pride and joy. We've got a Spring Menu for you that's full of fresh flavour and a sprinkling of optimism. Think Picnic Kits that are ready to take outside as soon as we are allowed again (for now can't recommend indoor and backyard picnics enough!), fresh crunchy salads and Apsara's famous momos make a springtime return. There are even Rose and Sumac Marshmallows for dessert! PLUS we're heading Bayside for Brave Burbs Brighton, Brighton East, Gardenvale, Hampton, Hampton East, Highett, Sandringham, Cheltenham, Mentone & Beaumaris and will continue to do standard deliveries within 5km of our Northcote HQ. We hope you fall in love with this menu as we have To order visit: https://www.freetofeed.org.au/brave-meals-order-here

21.01.2022 A Minute With Manel: A few weeks ago we called Manel to have a chat about the Malaysian Chicken Rendang Curry she's created for Brave Meals this month. Manel has such a compelling love of cooking, the kind that makes you want to head straight to the kitchen and cook someone a super special meal... Tell us about your Chicken Rendang Curry.... Usually, my dishes are copied from my mother but this one is actually from my husband’s family. They are Chinese Malaysian and are famous for their love of chicken. What special ingredients have you used? Roasted coconut and lemongrass are important for the flavour and the raw turmeric gives it a freshness and also makes a nice colour! And which is your favourite? They are all my favourites but also it’s important HOW you prepare the ingredients, how you roast and blend the ingredients it's really important. I like working together with Chef Nikki in the Free to Feed kitchen to get all the flavours just right. When you’re cooking, what memories come to mind? My father (who was very neat and clean) always told me to take pride in my work. To cook good food and do honest work. When I cook at Free to Feed I always remember that. It means a lot that people trust my cooking and it reminds me of having my own restaurant back home. People would always give me such good feedback. This dish makes me miss a lot of people but it also makes me happy to be cooking for so many others. "Time travelling salads and hugs in bowls" is how our chefs are describing this month’s feasts and this is the last week to enjoy them. The online orders have just opened! BRAVE BURBS delivery zones for Friday 4/9 are... Abbotsford, Richmond, Cremorne, Burnley, Toorak, South Yarra, Kew, Kooyong! We can also deliver 5km within our HQ. Hit the link below to order https://www.freetofeed.org.au/brave-meals-order-here

20.01.2022 I learned how to make this flatbread from my grandmother when I was 8 years old. When she didn’t have gas or electricity she would spread the dough out on a dome to cook in the woodfire and it was so delicious. When I cook I remember the older generations. I hope to follow in their footsteps. As life continues on I’ll pass my knowledge to younger generations. My daughter helps me every time I cook and I hope she will treasure my recipes in the future. Sharing skills makes m...e so happy when you help others it helps you. This is the story behind Shadi's baked flatbread , a centrepiece of the Middle Eastern feast he has prepared this month. These recipes have travelled long distances, over many generations, and now, they can nourish you and your loved ones over the next few weeks! Orders are now open and we're heading north for our Brave Burbs (weekly highlighted delivery suburbs) on the 21st of August: Reservoir Kingsbury Macleod, Rosanna, Heidelberg, Heidelberg West, Heidelberg Heights, Eaglemont, Ivanhoe East, Ivanhoe, Bellfield, Alphington.

16.01.2022 Orders are LIVE for our colourful, Spring Menu! So many of our participants came together to create a kaleidoscopic selection of dishes. Ricard's Chicken Kofteh, Nige's Sri Lankan recipes, Shadi's Syrian Babaganoush, Riyama's Hummus... and so many more, all their talents are well and truly on display! There are lots of ways to play with this menu, picnic kits, grazing boxes, 1.5kg serves of curries (for now or later); we're super proud of our creative chefs and cooks! (Oh and if you haven't heard, our Brave Burb drivers are headed to the following suburbs this Friday: South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Toorak, Armadale, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kooyong, Camberwell, Malvern!) Order link: https://www.freetofeed.org.au/brave-meals-order-here

15.01.2022 Throwback to exactly a month ago when All Together Now started to slowly come together fuelled entirely by the positivity of our staff and participants! Behind everything, we embark on at Free to Feed lives a short, but sweet little mantra Work Changes Lives. We’re filled with warm thoughts looking at this picture of a time - not so long ago - when a little team of superstars spent the afternoon enjoying each other’s company, pickling homemade Mkhalal Lift Was Shawander (turnips, beetroots, garlic and apples) for Mahshid’s Feast Essential Kit! BIG thanks to everyone around Australia who’s already bought a ticket to "All Together Now". Thanks to you we’re feeling beyond lucky to be able to provide work for our participants over the coming weeks.

15.01.2022 ONE ACT. BIG IMPACT. Help vote for us! With an inspirational and vivacious determination, our CEO Loretta Bolotin has just been nominated to become a "Local Hero" thanks to @westfielddoncaster! After recognising that unemployment, social isolation and discrimination are the most significant issues facing refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants, Loretta Bolotin decided to do something about it. The former caseworker co-founded Free to Feed with her partner Daniel to prov...ide dozens of newly arrived people with paid training and employment. And if you've ever stepped foot in a Free to Feed cooking class, event or enjoyed a Brave Meal, you know that it's much more than work. Today, more than ever, the very people Free to Feed empowers to provide the strength and resilience Loretta (and the entire Free to Feed team) rely upon to keep moving forward. Becoming an official @westfielddoncaster "Local Hero" would empower our small organisation with financial assistance in the form of a $10,000 grant at a crucial time. This is your chance to create a BIG impact, so pop on your superhero cape and vote for good food, community, employment, connection and Loretta! Link to vote: https://surveys.reputation.com/surveys3/run

14.01.2022 Did you know? All Together Now is a home cooking experience that can be enjoyed no matter where in Australia you live! It’s an opportunity for curious minds and hearts to experience the prowess, passion and first-person stories of Free to Feed cooking instructors, more closely and intimately than ever before. We are so excited to be able share recipes, conversations and stories in kitchens all across the country. AND we need our Melbourne community to help spread the word! If you have an interstate buddy who would love to learn Mahshid’s secret to the perfect Kofteh or the history behind Iranian hospitality then, tag them below!

13.01.2022 Opportunity Alert! Our team is evolving as we make way to launch a super special events space in Fitzroy North and host many shared food experiences including corporate & private gatherings and weddings in the near future. Please help us find the right candidates for the opportunities below!... Front of House Supervisor: https://scoutjobs.com.au/job/25438-front-of-house-supervisor Operations Manager (Catering and Events): https://scoutjobs.com.au/job/25257-operations-manager

10.01.2022 The wonderful people at @hagensorganics (suppliers of our #bravemeals organic meats ) invited Free to Feed’s Tayebeh to give Uncle Pat a break and takeover their Sunday night cook up and it’s now LIVE on their stories She’s sharing her Zereshk Polo ba Morgh, a delicious chicken dish she learnt from her mother. We’re so excited to be sharing our participant’s special recipes again. There’s never been a better time to learn from their talents and passion. Look at that salad / rice combo . Happy cooking!

10.01.2022 Meet Loretta Bolotin, Free to Feed's passionate CEO and winner of this year's Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Trailblazer Award! She started Free to Feed with her partner Daniel Bolotin at age 25, and their unique take on hospitality with a purpose inspires us every single day.

10.01.2022 Melbourne we’ve missed you, and if we could reach over and give you a big hug, we would. But we’ve decided to invite you around for a celebratory meal instead! In celebration of the summer sun and our epic new barbecue menu, we’re throwing a delicious party! Join us (in person!!) as we fire up the charcoal BBQ in our little Northcote courtyard paradise Our chefs and participants have designed a special menu celebrating Middle Eastern flavours. Cocktails on arrival by our ...resident mixologist Gabriel, cold beers and local wines will be available to purchase on the night too! Let’s celebrate the colourful array of dishes and community spirit. We promise to take care of you in alignment with COVID safety best practice and our spirit of generosity. There are 2 x 2hr sittings to choose from: DATE: Saturday, December 5th TIMES: Two Sittings 1:30-3:30 OR 5:00-7:00pm PRICE: $65 + GST LOCATION: Free to Feed Northcote HQ, 539 High Street Northcote Book through the humanatix link in our bio where you will also find the full menu! See you there!

10.01.2022 "This is the Persian feast we made under the wonderful guidance of Mahshid from Free to Feed as part of the All Together Now series. It is a beautiful home cooking experience, an amazing night cooking and learning!" Julia Busuttil Nishimura We've been lucky to call @juliaostro a friend of Free to Feed for many years now. A supporter of our work since the beginning, Julia was kind enough to capture her All Together Now journey and Persian cook up with Mahshid as her mentor, ...what a team! After seeing all the wonderful feedback flow through, we also asked Mahshid herself how it feels to have all so many people cooking her food and learning about her journey. She responded as eloquently as ever... "It feels like I am walking down a road holding hands with everyone who takes part, toward the same goal: protecting asylum seekers and refugees. And on the road, there are lots of beautiful flowers and views, which is the food we are making and eating together." We have JUST packed and released the latest round of Persian Feast Essential Kits for Mahshid's 'All Together Now' Home Experience. Orders are now live and we have a limited number ready to ship across Australia! Order link is in our bio.

09.01.2022 It's finally here! Introducing our #BraveMeals August Menu, featuring Wroud's debut appearance! Wroud's name means flower in Arabic, and, just like the blooms she is named after Wroud's Free to Feed journey is just beginning to blossom! Originally from Al-Hassaka, a small city in Syria, Wroud (pronounced "Ourd") completed her Free to Feed cooking instructor training and was gearing up to teach public classes as restrictions set in. Alas! We're still so thrilled to be able... to connect you with her incredible recipes through Wroud's Brave Meals Syrian Feast. Hop online to see it and all the other new Brave menu items. (It's a real good one this month with Shadi and Manel also taking center stage). The lucky "Brave Burbs" for our Friday 14th delivery are Newport, Williamstown, Seddon, Footscray, Yarraville, Flemington, Kingsville, South Kingsville. Stay tuned for more updates from us, happy feasting Order link via our homepage!

08.01.2022 Things to be grateful for... 1) The September #bravemeals menu launching this Friday, featuring plenty of mood boosting spring time goodness, 2) @georgie.boy__ stopping by to deliver a smiling bunch of flowers for the photo shoot, 3) The opportunity to be able to provide meaningful employment to our participants, thanks to YOU our incredibly curious and generous community! Check in this Friday at 1pm when orders open and the full menu shall be revealed

07.01.2022 "Love and magic are words Mahshid’s often uses when talking about cooking for and with others. When you embark on the All Together Now cooking journey your kitchen will fill with aromas you never knew you could produce and you will contemplate Mahshid's generous reflections on a life started over. Physical travel is still a distant dream for most of us but we are SO thrilled and excited to offer you a front-row seat on Mahshid's Persian cooking adventure and to welcome y...ou into our new community of curious cooks from all over the country. We're now taking pre-orders for the next batch of Feast Essential Kits (being packed by the wonderful team seen here as we speak!) that will kick off your Persian pantry. Many of you have also asked if we are shipping Australia wide? We’re shipping all around the country from the NT to TAS (Big thanks to @uloaustralia for supplying our incredible face masks for our team , we couldn't do it without you!)

07.01.2022 Permitted to one (supervised) grocery shop a week at Villawood... Nige would call his wife and ask her to teach him the recipes she used to cook back home. I would think about my wife’s food, my mum’s food, he says. Every day, I would cook and cook and cook, and keep learning. That would make me happy. There is much to learn from our friend Nige. We are SO proud of him, his edition of All Together Now and his generosity. https://www.theguardian.com//nige-learned-to-cook-in-immig

05.01.2022 Meet Nige, a fourth-generation fisherman, push-up champion, a self-taught cook and the next host All Together Now - Cooking Sri Lankan With Nige! Like the oceans which have shaped and influenced much of his life, Nige's approach to food is fluid and intuitive. Nige taught himself, by sense, to recreate the dishes of his childhood during almost a decade in immigration on detention in Australia. He is now proud to teach you to create some of the treasures that have marked his... incredible journey, and remind him so much of home. Link to his cooking experience in our bio!

05.01.2022 "I think the only reason I want to get re-married is... making kofteh!" Meet Mahshid, one of our longest-running and much-loved cooking instructors. She is intelligent, creative, resilient, passionate, and is ready to cook Persian food with you! All Together Now is an online home cooking experience available to curious cooks Australia-wide.... We've loved watching so many of you cook up Mahshid's incredible Persian feast there are some incredibly talented homecooks out there! We have been busy shipping Persian Feast Essential Kits to curious cooks from Sydney to Tasmania for gifts and heartwarming feasts between friends and family who can't quite connect in person right now. Guided by Mahshid at every step you'll learn dishes such as Kofteh Sabzi, the secrets of Persian Jewelled Rice, perfect your Babaganoush game and be guided through a set of thought-provoking conversation cards, all while Mahshid'sPersian playlist and kitchen aromas engulf your senses. From the coking to the conversation, All Together Now is a passport to connect.

04.01.2022 After 2 years, our charismatic Front of House Manager, Gabs will be leaving us in June to dive deeper into his passion for seasonal produce! Gab’s leaves behind a ginormous legacy including beautiful experiences, a stunning bar in an 800sqm heritage venue in Fitzroy North and a team of talented Hosts. We will miss his zest for life immensely! We are now recruiting for our next Front of House Supervisor. We are looking for an absolute professional that is passionate about peop...le, generous hospitality and our mission! Because of the diversity Free to Feed’s events, the successful candidate should be comfortable in a range of settings as the role will include: curating a wine list for the events team, managing front of house at an event, hosting a cooking class and supporting other hosts, being a cocktail bartender and or providing canapé service for a wedding. The role would suit someone who has experience in restaurants, events and functions with the ability to deliver high-quality service, has solid wine and beverage knowledge (to be the resident mixologist of course) and but is also ready to be a patient and kind leader and mentor. Help us in our talent search, share with your people, review the position description and interested candidates should get in touch for a chat! Check out the revised Head of Operations role up online over on Ethical Jobs too! https://www.freetofeed.org.au/careers

03.01.2022 Meet Khalida, she is a passionate home cook, mother and grandmother who sought asylum in Australia after challenges in Pakistan. Today, we're sharing a small slice of her unique Food Journey thanks to talented filmmaker @timothy_melville. Khalida met Free to Feed founder Loretta in the Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre kitchen in Brunswick many years ago and has been keeping in touch with Free to Feed ever since. If like Khalida you feel your best when cooking with or for others, ...we invite you to escape into her memories of home, even just for a couple of minutes (or for longer if you wish to recreate her recipe for Vegetable Biryani) and contemplate the magic power of a long-held and treasured family recipe. Director: @timothy_melville Cinematographer: @nathankaso Art Director: @stephanie_somebody Sound Recordist: Fabrice Galli

01.01.2022 Our kitchen is taking a small break and heading outdoors as much as possible to road test the Spring Brave Meals menu to be revealed next Friday! Creative vibes are in the air and we’re excited to help you celebrate the official start of picnic season (indoors or out, all you really need is a picnic rug). Stay tuned, stay strong and stay sunny Our Brave Meals be right back!