If you’re after tasty, local food catering for your event and want to do some good at the same time, these Tassie places fit the bill. They don’t just serve up great food but also give opportunities for others.

With an inviting atmosphere, great food and good coffee, Hamlet in Hobart might seem like a regular cafe on the surface, but they’re also a registered charity. They provide training and work readiness for people living with disabilities. Their catering menu is full of sweet and savoury options such as muffins, sausage rolls, and hearty sandwiches. Every dollar that goes towards Hamlet goes into creating life changing opportunities for people facing barriers in employment. They offer a variety of brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, half day, and full day catering options. They prepare orders fresh in-house then deliver it.

Aurora Disability Services is a charity providing care and support to adults with intellectual, physical, sensory and psychiatric disabilities. Under their banner are The Old Chapel Tea Room and The Car Yard Cafe, both in Glenorchy. At the Tea Room, clients are trained to operate their own public business venture, and the Car Yard Cafe offers training and work experience. Aurora offers catering services, allowing clients to utilise their training for receptions, business lunches, morning and afternoon teas, and bulk biscuit production, which includes consideration of budget and menu selection, stock purchases, food preparation, quality check, presentation and delivery.

palawa kipli celebrates Tasmanian Aboriginal food while providing employment opportunities. With a focus on authentic Tasmanian flavours and centuries-old traditions, palawa kipli have created a unique culinary experience deeply rooted in culture and community. Along with bush tucker, their signature dish is mutton bird. Due to the high demand of their services palawa kipli is fully booked for catering until September 2024. But you can catch their delicious food at the Winter Feast this month.

As a not-for-profit emergency food relief provider, Devonport’s Loaves and Fishes ensure that no one in the community goes hungry. They rescue surplus food from landfill, repackage and enhance what they’re given, including making ready-toeat meals and school meals, then deliver free statewide. They also provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged Tasmanians, so their catering services not only provide essential skills training to individuals but also generate income to fund their food relief efforts, making every bite count.

Launceston’s Hope Cafe is part of Teen Challenge Tasmania, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preventing alcohol and drug addiction in young people. By providing work experience opportunities, Hope Cafe supports those in need while offering catering options like sandwich platters and grazing boxes, all available for online ordering.

Outside the world of catering, but still very helpful, Jude’s Cafe makes affordable and delicious meal packs for families to purchase and use over a couple of days, to reduce stress of grocery shopping. Aimed at tackling the mental health crisis amongst youth in Launceston, this social enterprise brings health and well-being to young people through employment and belonging.

INTERVIEW WITH EMILY BRIFFA, CEO OF HAMLET

How does Hamlet help people with disabilities?

Hamlet exists to empower people who are underrepresented in the workforce. We provide training opportunities to people facing barriers to employment, with a focus on people living with disability. We allow people to learn skills and build confidence to improve their chances of securing employment. Tasmania has the highest rates of people living with disability in the country (26.8%). This cohort is three times more likely to be unemployed. The tourism and hospitality industry has been experiencing a significant skills shortage for more than 10 years now. At Hamlet we equip participants with skills to meet the needs of industry and secure long-term employment outcomes.

Can you share any stats about Hamlet’s success?

Since we opened our doors in 2016, we have provided more than 45,000 hours of training to 739 people facing barriers to employment. This financial year we have assisted 77.5% of our training graduates to secure employment outcomes in the tourism and hospitality industry.

Tell us about Hamlet’s new catering service.

In February 2024, we expanded our operations and our space. This expansion will allow us to increase our intake numbers by 94% over the next three years and meet the current demand for our kitchen training program – we currently have a waitlist in excess of 16 months. We offer a range of catering services including corporate catering deliveries perfect for an office meeting or conference style event. We also offer full serviced offsite event catering (with staff) and private events in our venue (after trading hours) for a private dinner or celebration.