What if hospitality could transform lives far beyond the dining table? In this episode of Straight To The Source, host Tawnya Bahr sits down with Shaun Christie-David, founder of Plate It Forward — a social enterprise rewriting the script on restaurants and catering. From creating jobs for people facing barriers to employment, to donating more than 670,000 meals to communities in need, Shaun shares how food can be one of the most powerful tools for connection and change.

He opens up about his journey from finance to hospitality, the role of doubt in leadership, and why his restaurants — Colombo Social, Kabul Social, Kyiv Social, and Calcutta Social — are built on dignity, culture, and community. Along the way, Shaun reflects on the lessons of COVID, the joy of working alongside diverse teams, and how consistency and kindness are reshaping what hospitality looks like.

This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose, and the belief that a plate of food can change the world.

In This Episode:
The beginnings of Plate It Forward and its growth into a movement.
Building employment pathways for asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable communities.
Why food quality and cultural pride matter in every meal — even food relief.
The balance between social impact, sustainability, and business growth.
Shaun’s candid reflections on doubt, leadership, and redefining hospitality.

Keywords (for SEO & platform tags):

Hospitality, Social enterprise, Plate It Forward, Food relief, Refugees, Asylum seekers, Community, Leadership, Resilience, Purpose, Cultural pride, Sustainability

About Shaun Christie-David

Shaun is the founder of Plate It Forward, a hospitality group dedicated to creating jobs and feeding communities through its restaurants, catering arm, and community kitchen. Recognised by SBS as one of Australia’s Top 50 Food Changemakers, Shaun is driven by the belief that food is a universal language of connection, resilience, and hope.

Learn more at plateitforward.org.au

This episode is proudly presented in partnership with UNOX Australia, leaders in smart oven innovation for commercial and residential kitchens. Learn more at www.unox.com and www.unoxcasa.com  

What if hospitality could transform lives far beyond the dining table? In this episode of Straight To The Source, host Tawnya Bahr sits down with Shaun Christie-David, founder of Plate It Forward &mdash; a social enterprise rewriting the script on restaurants and catering. From creating jobs for people facing barriers to employment, to donating more than 670,000 meals to communities in need, Shaun shares how food can be one of the most powerful tools for connection and change.
He opens up about his journey from finance to hospitality, the role of doubt in leadership, and why his restaurants &mdash; Colombo Social, Kabul Social, Kyiv Social, and Calcutta Social &mdash; are built on dignity, culture, and community. Along the way, Shaun reflects on the lessons of COVID, the joy of working alongside diverse teams, and how consistency and kindness are reshaping what hospitality looks like.
This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, purpose, and the belief that a plate of food can change the world.
In This Episode:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The beginnings of Plate It Forward and its growth into a movement.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Building employment pathways for asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable communities.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why food quality and cultural pride matter in every meal &mdash; even food relief.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The balance between social impact, sustainability, and business growth.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Shaun&rsquo;s candid reflections on doubt, leadership, and redefining hospitality.</li>
</ul>
Keywords (for SEO &amp; platform tags):
Hospitality, Social enterprise, Plate It Forward, Food relief, Refugees, Asylum seekers, Community, Leadership, Resilience, Purpose, Cultural pride, Sustainability
About Shaun Christie-David
Shaun is the founder of Plate It Forward, a hospitality group dedicated to creating jobs and feeding communities through its restaurants, catering arm, and community kitchen. Recognised by SBS as one of Australia&rsquo;s Top 50 Food Changemakers, Shaun is driven by the belief that food is a universal language of connection, resilience, and hope.
Learn more at <a href="https://plateitforward.org.au/">plateitforward.org.au</a>
This episode is proudly presented in partnership with UNOX Australia, leaders in smart oven innovation for commercial and residential kitchens. Learn more at <a href="https://www.unox.com">www.unox.com</a> and <a href="https://www.unoxcasa.com">www.unoxcasa.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Welcome to Food, Views and Big Ideas where food and hospitality experts Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon go behind-the-scenes to have candid conversations with Australia’s most dynamic food, hospitality and agribusiness leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. 

Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more episodes of Straight To The Source on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

To stay up to date follow Straight to the Source on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Welcome to Food, Views and Big Ideas where food and hospitality experts Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon go behind-the-scenes to have candid conversations with Australia’s most dynamic food, hospitality and agribusiness leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators. 
Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more episodes of Straight To The Source on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/straight-to-the-source/id1610058270">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1FwFeGJI0wp15O9KiDn28c?si=20a9b788479446c7">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@straighttothesource7730">YouTube</a>.
To stay up to date follow Straight to the Source on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/straight.to.the.source/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/straighttothesourcefoodtours">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/to_the_source">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/straight-to-the-source/">LinkedIn</a>.

Straight To The Source

Welcome to the Straight To The Source podcast, where leadership meets the future of food.

Hosted by two of Australia’s most respected food industry voices, Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon, the Straight To The Source podcast connects you directly with the changemakers shaping how we grow, source, and experience food.

With decades of experience spanning the kitchen, dining room, and boardroom, as chef, restaurateur, consultants, and educators, Tawnya and Lucy bring an insider’s lens to the challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.

From producers pioneering regenerative practices to hospitality leaders reimagining what sustainability means on the plate, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and leadership mindsets transforming the global food landscape and ensuring a thriving, sustainable food future for generations to come.

Get ready for bold ideas, honest conversations, and the kind of insights that move industries forward.

Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more Straight To The Source episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

To stay up to date, follow Straight to the Source on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Welcome to the Straight To The Source podcast, where leadership meets the future of food.
Hosted by two of Australia&rsquo;s most respected food industry voices, Tawnya Bahr and Lucy Allon, the Straight To The Source podcast connects you directly with the changemakers shaping how we grow, source, and experience food.
With decades of experience spanning the kitchen, dining room, and boardroom, as chef, restaurateur, consultants, and educators, Tawnya and Lucy bring an insider&rsquo;s lens to the challenges and innovations driving the industry forward.
From producers pioneering regenerative practices to hospitality leaders reimagining what sustainability means on the plate, each episode explores the strategies, stories, and leadership mindsets transforming the global food landscape and ensuring a thriving, sustainable food future for generations to come.
Get ready for bold ideas, honest conversations, and the kind of insights that move industries forward.
Follow, comment, and hit that bell for more Straight To The Source episodes on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/straight-to-the-source/id1610058270">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1FwFeGJI0wp15O9KiDn28c?si=20a9b788479446c7">Spotify</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@straighttothesource7730">YouTube</a>.
To stay up to date, follow Straight to the Source on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/straight.to.the.source/?hl=en">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/straighttothesourcefoodtours">Facebook </a>and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/straight-to-the-source/">LinkedIn</a>.

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