I’m Hadis, a Persian woman, who came to the UK around 4 years ago. I worked as a physiotherapist back home and hadn’t any experience working at a cafe before immigrating to the UK. My first experience working in a cafe started with Plateful Cafe, where I learned to work as a chef, barista, cashier and waitress; learning salesmanship and customer service skills. I learned how to prepare and cook several Syrian appetizers, main courses and desserts. Working there was a great opportunity to connect with international people, improve my English language and increase my confidence in the work environment of a new country. I was sad to be away from my family and homeland, but by being able to hold Iranian events here, I was able to show parts of my country’s culture, art, history and cuisine. Helping with my homesickness, these events had a positive effect on changing my mood. With the experience and resume I gained there, I was able to apply for jobs at other cafes and get accepted. Finally, I would like to thank Iolanda for all her efforts and kindness in supporting us women to enter the workforce and earning money to have a better life. I hope she is always successful on her path and receives more support.
This Easter Sunday, we had the absolute pleasure of setting up a Plateful Café stall at SET Social in Peckham, and what a lovely day it was. The atmosphere was relaxed, and we were surrounded by great people, great stalls and served plenty of delicious food. We dished up a special menu comprising of wraps and side dishes made by our amazing chef, Nahed, who truly delivered and cooked most of the hot food fresh to order on the day. The feedback on the food was incredible, and it’s always a joy to see people enjoying the meals our chefs work so hard to prepare. All the food we make helps refugees earn a London Living Wage while building skills and confidence that support their integration into the local community. One of the best parts of the day was seeing people pause to chat with Nahed, asking about the dishes and thanking her for her food. Moments like this, where food becomes a bridge between cultures and people, mean we are fulfilling our mission! It meant so much to see our chef not just cooking, but connecting. We also had some delicious bites for sale, prepared by Saleh, one of the talented chefs we’re lucky to work with at Plateful Café. Originally from Yemen, Saleh is currently seeking asylum in the UK after fleeing oppression and threats to his safety. His story is powerful, and what stands out most is his passion for food. Cooking has been a lifelong love for him; something that began in his childhood kitchen in Yemen and grew into a career as a chef. His crispy slightly spicy potato bites were a popular hit with everyone thoroughly enjoying them. He dreams of studying culinary arts here in the UK, opening his own restaurant, and one day publishing a cookbook that blends Yemeni flavours with international cuisine. It was a pleasure to try some of his creations! Alongside all that, we brought some of our Plateful products to sell too, including our range of popular jams, teas, truffles and artwork, all made in-house with love by our chefs and volunteers. Every purchase is helping us continue supporting refugees through meaningful training, work, and creative expression – so thank you! If you were there, thank you for stopping by and making it special. And if you missed us, don’t worry, we’ll be popping up again soon!
