Overview
When Shaun Christie-David launched Colombo Social — a contemporary Sri Lankan diner and social enterprise that supports asylum seekers, refugees and people facing food insecurity — his parents' experiences migrating to Australia in the 1980s provided a major inspiration. Memories of his mother's cooking and the way her food bridged cultural divides in her adopted home continue to resonate in every aspect of Colombo Social and Plate It Forward, Christie-David's meal donation charity.
Given their close relationship, it might not seem all that surprising that the restaurateur is now joining forces with his amma, Shiranie, for a new series of special menus. What's less expected, however, is that Christie-David is also inviting some of Australia's top chefs to team up with their mothers in the Enmore Road kitchen as well.
Shaun Christie-David with his mother Shiranie
Colombo Social's Mum Cha events will be delivering ten-course set menus on the last Saturday of every month. To launch the series, Christie-David has tapped Merivale's Executive Chef and TV personality Dan Hong (Mr. Wong, MuMu), who will be joined on the pots by his mother, Angie Hong.
On Saturday, June 29, the Hongs and the Christie-Davids will be dishing up a collaborative menu melding the two families' respective cultures. Shiranie's famous dhal sandwiches and Colombo Social's crowd-pleasing tuna cutlets will share the spotlight with Hong's mini sugarcane prawns, fresh rice paper rolls and green papaya salad. The Christie-Davids will also present panko-encased Sri Lankan spring rolls, their take on Hong's notoriously drool-worthy cheeseburger pan rolls that star at Potts Point Asian eatery Ms G's.
Dan Hong
In addition to the ten-course meal, diners will also receive a cocktail on arrival as well as unlimited top ups of their choice of red or white wines for 90 minutes. Just 50 tickets, priced $150 (drinks inclusive), are available for each Mum Cha event, so advance booking is a must — but should you miss out on one special menu, you'll only have to wait a month for your opportunity to taste the next.
Already locked in for July's Mum Cha lunch is the founder of Melbourne's Atlas Dining, Charlie Carrington, whose impressive CV includes stints at the Michelin-starred Restaurant Gordan Ramsay in London and legendary Surry Hills diner Firedoor. Tickets for Carrington's Mum Cha menu will go on sale in early July.
Image: Kitti Gould
Find Colombo Social's Mum Cha series on the last Saturday of every month at 159 Enmore Road, Enmore. Go to the restaurant's website to book.
Top image: Kitti Gould