How Plate It Forward Is Transforming Australian Communities Through The Power Of Food

Shaun Christie-David, Founder and CEO at Plate it Forward | www.tristanedouard.com

When Shaun Christie-David, the proud son of Sri Lankan immigrants to Australia, set out to redefine the hospitality industry, he had a simple yet profound mission: intertwining delicious food with powerful social impact. His social enterprise, Plate It Forward, goes beyond serving delectable dishes to creating job opportunities and supporting marginalized communities in Australia. Through a unique “pay it forward” model, Plate It Forward uses the universal language of food to foster inclusivity, empowerment, and change.

Colombo Social is a social enterprise kitchen, serving up soulful Sri Lankan food and vibrant cocktails while providing employment opportunities, practical experience and training for people seeking asylum.

Christie-David’s journey began long before the first restaurant doors opened. “The journey really started a year before I was born when my parents left Sri Lanka and migrated to Australia,” he shared. Growing up in a land of opportunity while his family’s homeland grappled with civil war instilled in him a deep sense of empathy. His mother, torn between her new life and the turmoil in Sri Lanka, raised him with empathy and a burning desire to help those who didn’t have access to the same privileges. 

At 28, a transformative trip to Sri Lanka clarified his purpose. “Witnessing the stark difference in the quality of life between Australia and Sri Lanka, I realized how lucky I was to win a birth lottery I hadn’t even entered,” he recalled. However, understanding the “why” of his mission was only half the journey—figuring out the "how" took time. Food, deeply rooted in his Sri Lankan heritage, became the vehicle for change. Inspired by his mother’s cooking, the sense of belonging it provided, and the profound impact of food on community and identity, Christie-David decided to create a social enterprise harnessing the power of food to foster inclusivity and support marginalized communities.

With every set menu ordered, Kyiv Social donates meals to those in need – one in Sydney and one in Ukraine. When we feed you, you feed two.

He started Colombo Social, a Sri Lankan restaurant that not only celebrates his culture but also employs refugees and donates meals to those in need. Soon, the mission expanded rapidly, incorporating other restaurants and cuisines, each staffed by and supporting diverse communities. “I was driven by a desire to make a tangible difference, leveraging my cultural heritage and personal experiences to build a business that prioritizes people over profit,” he explained.

A Unique Model of Impact

Plate It Forward now operates a collection of restaurants that not only serve delicious food but also a higher purpose. Its restaurants Colombo Social, Kabul Social, and Kyiv Social, are all social enterprises designed to create job opportunities for refugees, asylum seekers, and other marginalised groups.

“The model is simple yet powerful,” says Christie-David. “Every meal sold funds one or two additional meals for communities in need. This approach ensures that customers contribute directly to our mission of providing sustenance and support to those who need it most.” But the impact doesn’t stop there. These restaurants also serve as hospitality training grounds for refugees, asylum seekers, and marginalized individuals, equipping them with skills for future employment.

Corporate catering is another pillar of the business, sustaining operations and amplifying the impact. Christie-David emphasized, “This integrated model of business and philanthropy exemplifies how commercial success can go hand-in-hand with social impact.”

Measuring Success Through Stories and Numbers

Plate It Forward’s impact is measured in several ways, primarily through the number of meals donated, and the lives changed by the enterprise’s employment and training programs. 

Since its inception in 2020, Plate if Forward provided over 600,000 restaurant quality meals to people going hungry, cooked and donated 490,000 meals in Australia, and provided funds to donate another 110,000 globally - in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Ukraine.The enterprise has also provided over $4 million in wages and created more than 100,000 hours of employment for marginalized individuals, boasting an impressive 97% retention rate.

However, Christie-David believes the real measure of success lies in the individual stories. “Success is also measured by the personal growth and empowerment of our team. Many have overcome significant barriers, and their stories are a testament to the transformative power of our model. Fatima Salim, who fled Yemen as a child, started with us at 18. She quickly rose from being a restaurant supervisor to head trainer and is now pursuing a degree in social science,” he recounted.

For Christie-David, the proudest moments come from seeing his team thrive. “We are building a supportive community where individuals are given the opportunity to rebuild their lives, gain new skills, and find a sense of belonging. This holistic approach to success is what drives us to continue expanding and innovating,” he says.

Kabul Social's menu is inspired by traditional Afghan flavours brought to life by a group of female refugees from Afghanistan. | Kitti Gould

A Heritage of Empathy and Education

Christie-David attributed much of his success to his Sri Lankan heritage. “First-generation migrants often struggle with the two cultures they walk and the challenges of navigating dual identities,” he explained. “For me, I struggled to be Sri Lankan when all I wanted to be was like all the other kids. But I also loved being Sri Lankan - the food, the culture, my family traditions, and the richness of the country - from its stunning landscape, the resilience of its people, and its history.”

This duality shaped his mission. “Sri Lanka has one of the highest literacy rates in the world and a recent civil war. When you mix education with empathy we see so many people with Sri Lankan heritage becoming change makers, making tangible and meaningful difference across the Globe,” he noted. 

Witnessing the poverty and hardships during his visits to Sri Lanka made him appreciate the opportunities he had in Australia and fuelled his desire to give back. This empathy is at the core of Plate It Forward, driving its mission to support those who have faced similar struggles.

Through Plate It Forward, Christie-David leverages this unique perspective to create a space where everyone feels valued, regardless of their background. “My experiences of casual racism and feeling out of place also motivated me to create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued. By embracing my heritage and using it as a foundation for my work, I aim to build bridges between cultures and foster a sense of community and mutual respect,” he further explained.

The enterprise also aims to expand its network of restaurants and strengthen partnerships with corporations and charities to fund meal donations and training programs.

Looking Ahead

The future of Plate It Forward is filled with ambitious plans. Christie-David envisions an investment fund to support migrant women in launching their own restaurants, providing the financial backing, training, resources, and mentorship needed for aspiring restaurateurs from marginalized communities to succeed. “Role models and representation matters and by providing the back-office infrastructure, economies of scale, ongoing support, and seed capital, we can ensure these businesses are scalable, profitable, and impactful,” he says.

The enterprise also aims to expand its network of restaurants and strengthen partnerships with corporations and charities to fund meal donations and training programs. Expanding its network of restaurants across Australia and internationally will allow Plate it Forward to reach more communities in need and create more job opportunities.

Additionally, Christie-David plans to launch educational programs focused on hospitality and entrepreneurship, fostering a new generation of socially conscious business leaders.

“Ultimately, our vision is to build a sustainable and inclusive ecosystem where businesses operate with a purpose beyond profit, contributing to a more equitable and compassionate society,” Christie-David concluded. With every meal served and every life transformed, Plate It Forward continues to prove that business - and food - can be a powerful force for good.