Plate It Forward

💙 You did this. From every meal shared to every hour of training, these numbers are proof of the power of community. 🍽 704,000 meals shared across Sydney and the globe, that’s an average of 3,000 every single week 🤝 275 incredible community members facing barriers supported into meaningful employment ⏱ 184,000+ hours of training & employment 💰 $6.36 million in wages paid Thank you for standing with us, for paying it forward, and for believing in something bigger. #eatgooddogood #plateitforward

"I started with Plate It Forward in June 2025 in the catering team, and pretty quickly I was able to step up and show what I could do as a Head Chef. When I first joined, I hadn’t actually mentioned that I’m Ukrainian, but that came out naturally when I started helping communicate with Ukrainian refugees and translating where needed, something that had been a real challenge before. From there, I was given the opportunity to take on the role of Executive Chef for Kyiv Social, as well as working across the Sydney Swans account. That’s been a really meaningful experience for me. I’ve been able to reconnect with my childhood through food—bringing back dishes my Baba used to cook, whether it was something hearty for dinner or simple snacks after school. At the same time, I’ve really enjoyed challenging those traditional recipes by giving them a modern twist—creating dishes that might not look like the classics, but still taste exactly like those childhood memories. It’s about respecting the flavour and emotion of the dish, while presenting it in a new and exciting way. What’s made it even more special is the feedback from customers. Hearing things like “I haven’t tasted this since my childhood” or “this tastes like babusya” really hits home. It’s been incredibly rewarding to not only recreate those traditional dishes, but also reimagine them and share Ukrainian food with a wider audience. That’s something I’m really passionate about." — Chef Raph on his time at Plate It Forward

Good news for those who want to see me but don’t actually want to talk to me, you can find me hanging around the Art Gallery of NSW in the Archibalds!! Huge congratulations to a dear friend and family member, @sarah_satha , whose portrait work is mind blowing. Sarah somehow managed to capture parts of me I didn’t even know existed. The little Sri Lankan kid, the Newtown chaos, the optimism, the confusion, the giant feelings and somehow even the oversized T shirt. To be painted by family makes it even more emotional because there’s a level of understanding there you can’t really fake. Sarah has this incredible ability to tell stories through texture, symbolism and emotion, and I honestly feel pretty exposed in the best possible way.

On Monday night, we had the joy of officially launching our Love Where You Live campaign with so many people who mean so much to us.  This campaign is about celebrating the city we love—and choosing to invest in it when forces seem to be pulling us apart. We have $150,000 in matched funding to unlock for @newtowncentre , @plateitforward_ and @thesocialoutfit —three incredible charities building Sydney’s social cohesion from the ground up. A special thank you to @younghenrys and @sydneyparkhotel , wonderful champions of this campaign who also manned the bar, @muchogroup for keeping the martinis flowing and @plakkit_ for helping us spread the word across the neighbourhood with our campaign posters.  Don’t just love your city, invest in it. Every donation doubled until June 30. Link in bio 🧡

This is a big one for us. Plate It Forward has always been about creating equal opportunity around the table, using food as a way to open doors for people who have been locked out of work for far too long. Across our restaurants, we celebrate the skills, stories and flavours of the diverse cultures within our teams, creating spaces in the community where you can quite literally experience social change on a plate. So to see @kolkatasocial_ recognised by @timeoutsydney with the Editors’ Pick – Impact Award at the Time Out Food & Drink Awards means a lot. Not just for the food, but for what sits behind it. @ahana08 has built something special. A restaurant that’s not only a love letter to Bengali cuisine, but also a space that mentors incredible people from diverse backgrounds, mostly women, many stepping into their first roles in Australia, giving them a voice and real opportunity to grow. Thank you to our incredible team, every one of our customers, and @timeoutsydney for this amazing recognition.

So many nights Mum and I stayed up late & shared stories about the kind of world we would love to see, and what might be possible to make life a little easier for those going through hard times, all over a cup of tea, specifically Dilmah. We have been stirring something incredible with one of the kindest and most empathetic leaders, Dilhan C. Fernando, CEO of Dilmah Tea and Chairman of the MJF Foundation to bring those long conversations with Mum to life on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. A partnership shaped by shared values of community, care, and creating impact through food. Watch this space over the next few months to see what is brewing.

From angry young man to radical restaurateur, @shaunchristiedavid 's journey to founding @plateitforward_ is remarkable, always staying true to his values and culture. He joins @lakshmilikesflowers this month on Cutting Chai to reflect on transformation and purpose, and of course, whether he prefers soan papdi or papdi chaat. @colombosocial @kabulsocial @kyivsocial @kolkatasocial_ [cuttingchai restaurantssydney socialenterprise plateitforward southasianaustralians indianlink]

Love that for someone who really had no idea what they were doing when working in finance is now featured in financial publications globally, but I am here for it! This one is special knowing how revered @lmd.lk is in Sri Lanka.

Introducing Head Chef Shashank Achuta at Colombo Social. Born and raised in Bangalore, his cooking is shaped by South Indian home kitchens, regional, layered, and built on spice used with intention, not excess. It’s a way of cooking deeply connected to place, where flavour is developed slowly and every element has a role. Since moving to Sydney, he’s developed a style that respects those foundations while allowing them to evolve in a modern Australian context. His work has always been thoughtful and personal, from Sydney Tiffin Room to appearances on The Cook Up with Adam Liaw. Recognised as Good Food Guide Young Chef of the Year 2024, and named one of NSW’s most influential Indian Australians, he brings both perspective and quiet confidence to the kitchen. At Colombo, he’s leading the next chapter of the menu, bringing new ideas while staying grounded in where it all comes from.

Chef Raph’s talking us through one of his favourites on the menu: House-Smoked Salmon Farshmuk | Домашній копчений лосось Smoked salmon with pickled zucchini, crostini and dill. You’ll understand why it’s his favourite after the first bite. 🫡

A feast for the senses!! It wouldn't be a celebration without exceptional food, and Plate It Forward @plateitforward_ delivered a menu that was as creative as the architecture on screen. Guests enjoyed a vibrant mix of Sri Lankan and Afghani-inspired canapes, a delicious reflection of Sydney’s multicultural culinary landscape. Thank you again for making this night a success! 👏

Colombo Social welcomes MasterChef Australia finalist & MasterChef Sri Lanka Judge Sav Perera for a one-night kitchen takeover, bringing a seasonal Sri Lankan menu that moves between late summer and early autumn, shaped by her upbringing and the food she grew up cooking. The five-course menu leans into that in-between moment, with hopper batter crumpets, coconut dhal with curry leaf chilli oil, and blackened coconut seasonal fish with citrus and sambol, designed to be shared across the table. Sav’s cooking draws from her mother’s kitchen, grounded in Sri Lankan flavours and reworked through her own lens. One night only, limited seats available. Book via link in bio