Racha Abou Al Chamat
Racha is the passionate heart and soul behind Racha's Syrian Kitchen, a catering and cultural experience business that brings the warmth, richness, and generosity of Syrian hospitality to Australia. A proud Syrian mother, migrant, and culinary storyteller, Racha draws deeply from her heritage, blending traditional recipes with personal memories to preserve and share the essence of home.
After moving to Australia and raising her children in a new land, Racha found herself missing the vibrant community and deep-rooted traditions that shaped her upbringing. What began as cooking for family and friends grew into a powerful way to connect cultures, tell stories, and build community. Through food, Racha found a voice to express both the beauty of Syria and the resilience of its people.
Her journey has included features on SBS Food, where six of her recipes, including Maamoul and Halawet al Jeben, are showcased. She also had the honor of appearing on The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, where she shared her recipe for lamb dumplings, offering viewers a taste of Syria's rich culinary traditions, as well as an interview with The Guardian exploring her memories of Eid and her signature dish, wara’a eneb(stuffed vine leaves with lamb). Racha has hosted cooking classes and cultural events, participated in community showcases, and is a proud collaborator with organisations like FoodLab, UNSW Founders, and Welcome Merchant.
Despite the challenges of starting a business as a migrant woman, Racha continues to grow her presence with a clear mission: to build bridges through food, empower others through storytelling, and keep the spirit of Syrian hospitality alive in every dish she serves.
How did we meet Racha?
One evening at our former restaurant, Almond Bar, we welcomed a group of graceful Syrian women who had gathered for a simple get-together — friends brought together by their shared journey to Australia. At first, we felt a quiet apprehension. Our menu wasn’t always steeped in tradition, and we wondered if they might see that as a lack of reverence for our heritage. But those worries quickly faded as warmth flowed effortlessly between us.
Racha was among the first to approach the bar and strike up a conversation. Her presence was magnetic — her radiant smile and kind spirit made us feel as though we’d known her forever. In that moment, she felt like family. It reminded us of the beautiful, unspoken bonds that often connect us with others from our culture. Seeing their joy, hearing their laughter — it filled our hearts in a way words can’t quite capture. Their joy was palpable, expressed through laughter, music, and the dance that followed their meal, filling the restaurant with an energy that only such a connection could create.
For some time, we had wanted to collaborate with Racha, and when the opportunity to host a Mother’s Day dinner arose, it felt only natural to invite her to join Sharon in the kitchen.
We are excited to share this special meal with all of you, and we look forward to creating lasting memories together.