October 13 saw some of Melbourne’s most well-known food industry experts came together for a bake sale to raise money for the Beirut charity, Beit el Baraka. This non-profit, non-secular organisation actively supports displaced Lebanese people by providing housing, medical support, education opportunities, and a free supermarket for easy food access.

Lebanese Australian Jinane Bou-Assi, long-time social justice advocate and passionate home-baker, gathered 57 chefs and businesses at the Free to Feed space in Fitzroy North for the bake sale.

Some chefs included Tom Sarafian, Helly Raichura of Enter Via Laundry, cookbook author Julia Busuttil Nishimura, and Zackary Furst of Bar Liberty. A variety of bakeries participated alongside the chefs like, Holy Sugar, Wildlife Bakery, Peaches La Crème, and Mari Mari Bakery.

A range of baked delights and traditional Lebanese food were available such as falafel, hummus, kibbeh, manoush, baklawa, mouneh, pastries, croissants, focaccia, cakes, flowers, bread, donuts, biscuits, cookies, fresh produce, coffee, and iced mulberry hibiscus tea alongside falafels and hummus.

The massive event amassed up to $44,083 for Beit el Baraka with an overwhelming amount of support shown for the bake sale. The event was to run from 10am until all items were sold out. Approximately 1,300 patrons rushed to the fresh baked goods, leading to the event selling out in only two hours.

Jinane expressed her gratitude via social media.

“A heartwarming, beautiful morning full of so much love. This was a real community effort, everyone who donated, volunteered, shared and showed up, this was because of you,” she said.

“A huge thank you to our generous donors and volunteers for making this happen.”