It's not only high-profile chefs and restaurateurs bringing a social conscience and community engagement to the dining table. Small, independent operator Long Street cafe in Richmond opened with the dual purpose of serving great coffee and food, and training and employing refugees.
Jane and Francois Marx opened Long Street (not coincidentally) on World Refugee Day (June 20). The couple currently employs and trains two staff on the floor and on coffee making for about four to six months at a time. "Our aim is for staff to be really, really good, so that having Long Street on their CV is worth more than a Tafe qualification," Jane says.
Long Street just launched its kitchen menu. "We found a chef who is willing to train people who have no experience in food prep," Jane says.
Employee Shahnaz, a businesswoman from Iran, is keen to learn the ways of a commercial kitchen with chef Genshu Sata (ex Hyatt) who uses organic produce in all-day breakfasts such as apple-cider eggs benedict with leek and potato roesti, and poached chicken sandwiches with rocket and apricot mayonnaise.
Alhagie, from the Gambia, loves to be on coffees; filter coffee comes from Small Batch, and espresso from Proud Mary, which also runs training sessions at its roastery.
"From all reports our staff really like working here," Jane says. "It's social: you get to listen to music all day, chat to customers – and practise English."
Open Tues-Sun 8am-4pm; 45 Little Hoddle Street, Richmond, longstreetcoffee.com
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