Welcome Centre cooks up fresh kitchen

THE Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council’s developing Welcome Centre at Barkly Square will soon have an improved commercial kitchen.

With a $110,000 funding injection from the State Government, the Ballarat Welcome Centre, its diverse cultural communities and businesses will have the resources and space to cook for events, offer catering, deliver demonstrations and food education.

A Pot of Courage is set to be one of the commercial kitchen’s regular user groups.

Founder and coordinator, Shiree Pilkinton set up the social enterprise for Ballarat’s migrant women to share the flavours and recipes of their homelands.

“There will be cooking class stations in the new kitchen, so we intend to run classes with the public,” she said.

Currently A Pot of Courage cooks from Barkly Square’s café space.

BRMC executive officer, Ann Foley said the organisation was grateful to the State as well as Barkly Square’s leading tenant, BGT Jobs and Training.

“Many community members, multicultural associations and emerging entrepreneurs will benefit from this community kitchen project and the Welcome Centre,” she said.

“We look forward to great collaborations.”

Member for Buninyong, Michaela Settle said food is at the heart of the city’s refugee and migrant communities.

“This very popular and well-used kitchen will be expanded to cater for even more amazing feasts, provide more meals for people in need and support local businesses to grow and expand,” she said.

Improved security and accessibility at the Ballarat Welcome Centre will also be covered under the State funding.