Refugee Café x the Albany Café

We're proud of our partnership with Refugee Café, which saw Ukrainian chef Anastasia take up residency in our café for three months.

Refugee Café was formed in 2020 to bridge the divide between refugees, asylum seekers and the wider community in Lewisham. By providing a path to employment and friendship, they help refugees and those granted asylum in London to build safe, happy productive lives. 

In 2023, we partnered with both Refugee Café and Lewisham College for a programme which included bespoke hospitality training for those with refugee status. The six week course at Lewisham College included key skills-building opportunities, and ranged from barista training, culinary skills, and essential health and safety qualifications to get them started and ready for the job market. Once the training course was completed, we guaranteed interviews for a work placement in the Albany café,  paying London Living Wage. 

During the residency at the Albany, chef Anastasia was able to showcase food that reminded her of home. Anastasia moved to London four months prior to starting the course, and had fled Mariupol, Ukraine with her son, husband, and beloved dog. 

Anastasia curated a menu that reflected her lived experience. The menu changed over time, in response to what was growing at the time in our garden. Her most popular dish was layered courgette fritters (кабачковый торт) with a punchy garlic sauce, thinly sliced tomatoes and a healthy pinch of fresh dill. The courgettes were freshly picked from our garden – thankfully there were plenty to go round as this dish was a sellout success. Other dishes that proved popular were a vegan Borscht, dumplings,  honey cake, an umami-rich mushroom bake, and hearty chicken escalopes with sauerkraut and creamy mashed potatoes.

We are delighted that Anastasia was able to secure employment in the same sector once the pop-up ended. We wish her the best of luck for her future career, and thank her for the delicious treats she cooked up for us during her time here!