ASRC

ASRC Catering, Melbourne Australia

Under the direction of talented international chefs, ASRC Catering can provide for private and corporate functions alike: including celebrations, business conferences, launches, exhibitions and community festivals. A fusion of flavours from around the world, ASRC Catering specialises in hot and cold, finger food, main courses and sweet finger food.

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An initiative of the ASRC

ASRC Catering is a social enterprise established by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre to employ asylum seekers who have the right and capacity to work. All surplus funds generated from the catering business go towards supporting asylum seekers who do not have the right to work and are unable to access Federal Government services. We aim to:

• provide pathways to further employment opportunities for asylum seekers through education, training and hands-on work experience
• demonstrate how asylum seekers make a positive contribution to our society
• raise community awareness about asylum seeker and refugee issues.

About Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

Since opening its doors in June 2001, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) has become the largest provider of aid, advocacy and health services for asylum seekers in Australia. The ASRC works directly with asylum seekers, both living in our community and in detention, to provide direct aid and support as they seek refugee status in Australia. It also campaigns and lobbies on behalf of asylum seekers and all Australians who want to change the unjust policies that Australia has adopted. Most importantly, at times of despair and hopelessness the ASRC is there to offer comfort, friendship, hope and respite.

ASRC food programs are a cornerstone of the not-for-profit organisation, and the commercialised ASRC Catering service is just one of many important programs run by the centre. To learn more, visit www.asrc.org.au.

Head Chef, Cathy Maguire

Irish chef Cathy Maguire is passionate about her craft. A vegetarian herself, her fifteen years of experience in the industry indicates her unrelenting passion for vegetarian cuisine. In Australia for the last seven years, Cathy has truly established herself among the leading chefs in the country.

In addition to her responsibilities as Executive Chef at Soulmama, Melbourne’s top vegetarian restaurant, Cathy has had an active media presence. She was a panel chef in the first season of Ready Steady Cook and has had close to a dozen appearances on Channel Nine’s Good Morning Australia. SBS has done an extensive feature on her career on their Food Lover’s Guide and she has had a number of appearances on the Lifestyle Channel, Channel 31 and ABC radio.

She has conducted numerous cooking classes and demonstrations around Australia, and is committed to teaching people about the exciting variety offered by a vegetarian diet.

A strong believer in personal growth and contributing to the community, Cathy has been invited as a motivational speaker at various industry and charity events. As an avid ultra-marathon runner she has helped raise funds by participating in the Oxfam TrailWalker 100km Run and organising a 24 hour Treadmill Challenge in aid of abused women. She has also had an active involvement with the International Women’s Development Agency and Canteen.

After leading the team at Soulmama for six years, new challenges beckoned. Cathy’s move to the ASRC was perfectly aligned with her desire to give back to the community and pass on her knowledge. This can now be taken to the next level as she mentors those seeking asylum in Australia, empowering them with the skills that will help shape a brighter future.