“Four Brave Women is an initiative of The Trading Circle and was set up to educate and mentor refugees in a well-supported hospitality environment. As Adi Tefera, who’s behind the Ethiopian coffee cart says, ‘I’m a single mum so it’s hard, but I’ve been given this opportunity and I’ve got to take it – for me, and for my son.’”

Kita firfir (traditional Ethiopian breakfast of torn flatbread made with spiced butter); kashk e bademjan (Iranian eggplant and walnuts); and Ethiopian berbere-spiced coffee.

The Trading Circle shop in Summer Hill is full of fair trade goods, and its in-house eatery Four Brave Women is driven by social purpose, too. A different set of refugees takes charge of its kitchen every two months – a test period that lets them flex their hospitality muscles under the guidance of both Bindi Lea and volunteer Chef Kate Spina. The hope is that they’ll bank plenty of experience, followers, and start-up capital towards their next venture.

The first menu featured aromatic saffron chicken by refugees from Iran, while Adiam (Adi) Tefera’s Ethiopian-inspired coffee cart serving teff brownies, kita firfir, and berbere-spiced drinks has a year-long residency.

It’s a lo-fi set-up, with plant-based compostable cutlery and a self-serve approach, but all packaging is eco-friendly, there are meat-free options aplenty, and every order both affirms a refugee’s hospitality aspirations and helps them feel welcome in their new home.