From Passion to Possibility: Asma’s Journey with The Welcome Table

“I wanted to speak to say thank you to everyone. That is our cultural habit. When you have good environment, good person beside you, you should say thank you.” 

When Asma stood in front of more than 150 guests at House of Welcome’s 25th anniversary celebration, she wasn’t simply graduating from The Welcome Table’s Chef Training program. She was celebrating the beginning of a new chapter. 

With warmth, humility and quiet confidence, she thanked the people who had supported her journey and reflected on everything she had learned along the way.  

A Journey of Learning

Asma describes her time at The Welcome Table in just two words: “big journey.” 

“It is big journey to work in a commercial kitchen, make a lot of stuff, running a lot of orders,” she said. “You have many support in this organisation… they teach us a lot of things. I didn’t know these skills before.” 

Like every trainee, Asma entered the program ready to learn. Over six months she developed commercial kitchen skills, gained experience preparing large-scale catering orders, strengthened her workplace communication and discovered the rhythm of a professional hospitality environment. 

As her experience grew, so did her confidence. 

“As the days go on, I feel more comfortable, more confident. I feel very happy.” 

Learning That Goes Beyond the Kitchen

For Asma, The Welcome Table’s Chef Training program has combined real-world catering experience with workplace learning, English coaching and TAFE study of a Cert II in Cookery. It has helped her build practical hospitality skills while growing her confidence, communication and the professional experience she needs to pursue employment or further training. 

And those skills already extend beyond the kitchen. 

Alongside the program, she runs Yafa Sweets, a small business specialising in traditional Palestinian desserts sold at local markets. The experience she gained through The Welcome Table has strengthened both her hospitality skills and her growing business. 

“All things I learn here is very helpful for me because I am running a small business,” she explained. “It helped me with how to manage my orders, what I do first, what I do next.” 

Stronger Together

Asma’s journey also reflects something special about Australia’s social enterprise sector.

Alongside her training with The Welcome Table, she recently completed FoodLab Sydney’s Food Business training program, further developing her entrepreneurial skills while celebrating the Palestinian food traditions that inspire Yafa Sweets.

Rather than working in isolation, social enterprises can create complementary opportunities that help people build practical skills, broaden professional networks and gain diverse experiences. Together, these pathways give participants more opportunities to explore employment, entrepreneurship and meaningful participation in the community.

A Place to Grow

Throughout her training, Asma found more than practical experience. She found a workplace where people encouraged one another to learn.

“They are very patient when we make a mistake. They don’t say anything bad. They just say you will do it better next time.”

She also found friendships and a sense of belonging.

“When I came here, I felt alone. But then I came here and spoke to everyone… and felt very comfortable. Felt very kind. Here the environment is very beautiful.”

Reflecting on the future, she hopes to find workplaces that share those same qualities.

“I tell my husband I hope to find this environment in my future job.”

Looking Ahead

Today, Asma leaves The Welcome Table with new technical skills, valuable commercial kitchen experience and growing confidence in her future.

She hopes to continue working in hospitality while expanding Yafa Sweets.

“I hope to have a café one day,” she said. “And hopefully I have same job like here.”

Asma’s story reminds us that employment pathways are about much more than finding work. They create opportunities for people to build skills, contribute their talents, share their culture and pursue their ambitions with confidence.

At The Welcome Table, every trainee brings unique experience, knowledge and potential to the kitchen. Our role is to provide the opportunity, support and real-world experience that helps those strengths flourish.