~! LeNtiL aS AnYtHiNg !~

"Saving the world, one curry at a time"

source

Melbourne has a fantastic chain of vegetarian restaurants called Lentil as Anything; there's one at the Abbotsford Convent, one in St Kilda, and one in Footscray. They're a not-for-profit organisation where there's no set prices or tills, instead you pay-what-you-feel the experience is worth into an anonymous wooden box. 

Lentils at the Abbotsford Convent

I can't say it better than them:

"Lentil as Anything seeks to exist as a model of multicultural community that addresses social isolation and provides support and training to new migrants, refugees and youth. Lentil’s philosophy is based around trust, generosity and social inclusion, and provides an alternative, unique community, to the consumer-driven society that we live in."

"Our restaurants are staffed by volunteers as much as possible (always need more!), new migrants and refugees. Lentil exists as a training venue for the wider hospitality industry, as well as providing English tutoring and access to legal, health, housing and education services for people who are struggling to find a place in mainstream institutions."

Convent

I've spent a lot of time at the Lentils restaurants over the past six months thanks to my internship at Ilura Press. The founder of Lentil as Anything— a cool Sri Lankan guy called Shanaka— helped the founders of Ilura Press by providing free food and venue for one of their first book launches. Ilura Press operates on many of the same values as Lentils; in that it does not gain any profit (the founders create a space for new and emerging writers to be published for the love of literature not money) and it relies on volunteer interns. 


So Shanaka helped us out first, and now we are making a coffee table/ cookbook about Lentil as Anything, which should act as a bit of a fundraiser and awareness-raiser for this generous and necessary organisation which is forever struggling financially because it is taken advantage of.  

Mark, a barista at the Convent Lentil

I've had the opportunity to help interview the chefs, volunteers and floor staff and write up and edit their stories ready for the book. I've heard devastating and inspiring life stories of refugees and migrants who've made it to Melbourne to find themselves without enough money, without language, without qualifications which transfer into Australian jobs, and without family and friends. Lentil has been their saviour; teaching English and hospitality skills, helping with visa issues and housing, and providing a community; because social inclusion is vital to well-being. 

Love graffiti in the Convent

All the backpackers and Aussie locals who volunteer there are also amazing people and have great stories. They're the sort of people who are actually doing something for the community, not just thinking about it. Their time and effort is repaid in friendships, life experience, and love. 


The restaurants are a melting pot of cultures, languages and musicians, and you're likely to see hipsters, families, homeless people and tradies sitting around the same big tables. Everyone's welcome and everyone feels at home. I've mostly been at the Convent; every night of the week there's something on. French singer Remi, a Gypsy jam band, Latin night, African night, Nepalese night... and films shown projected onto the wall. 


Our writing, editing and photography is nearly done. Layout and design has started, off to the printers soon. I can't wait for the finished product, it's going to be a beautiful book! 

*There are lots of ways you can help Lentils survive. Go have a meal there, and pay what you can. Go to one of their volunteer inductions (4.30pm every Tuesday at the Convent.) You could help make coffees, or wash dishes, bake cakes, cut vegies or clear tables. They have volunteers helping with their website, business management, accounting and playing live music. You will meet some truly inspiring and generous people who love life. 


Here's their Facebook and website


Also, buy the book when it comes out so you can cook some of the vegetarian deliciousness at home! (Teaser: African doughnuts, Sri Lankan curries, Japanese pancakes, Lentil burgers, Tibetan momos...)