Book Launch: Salamati by Hamed Allahyari & Dani Valent

Tickets

'By eating my food, you come into my family. You are sitting with me, with my grandparents, parents and cousins, talking, sharing and enjoying the feeling of being together.'

Quite simply, Hamed Allahyari cooks to connect with people - for that wonderful moment when one can say 'salamati '( 'cheers') around the table.

Born in Iran, Hamed arrived from Tehran as a refugee in 2012 having travelled to Indonesia, then by rickety fishing boat towards Australia where he was detained on Christmas Island.

His Melbourne restaurant SalamaTea, in Sunshine, is a hard-won sanctuary, a business that fuels his immigrant dream as well as a place for sharing a joyous pride in Persian cooking.

Hamed has also brought his flair and talent to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and the social enterprise Free to Feed cooking school. Much loved in Melbourne food circles for his advocacy for other refugees, Hamed also unstintingly supported food service operators during the pandemic.

With every swipe of warm pita through herbed dadami dip, every bite of braised lamb with dried lime and saffron rice, every sip of homemade sour cherry tea, Hamed shares his past in his native Tehran whilst building an optimistic Australian future based firmly in hospitality and delicious food.

''This book is a feast for the heart, soul and spirit. A book to cherish with recipes made with love and humanity.' Kon Karapanagiotidis, CEO and founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre

This will be a richly rewarding discussion.

Please join us on Tuesday 25th October for a wonderful discussion with Hamed and Dani accompanied by tastes from the book and matching drinks.

Tickets are limited.

FAQs

I can't attend an event, can I buy/pre-order a signed copy of the book?

Yes. Copies will be available for signing and purchase on the night. If you can't attend, we can organise to post signed and personalised copies to you.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

If you haven't been to one of our events for a while, please note we have moved to the northern side of the Queen Victoria Market. Our new address is 115-121 Victoria Street (next to A Shed)

The 19, 20, 57 (Elizabeth St)and 55 (William & Peel St) trams go past the Queen Victoria Market and run frequently. We are in the Free Tram Zone and are a short 50m walk from the Elizabeth St Queen Victoria Market stop and the Peel St Queen Victoria Market stop. Melbourne Central and Flagstaff railway stations are two blocks away.

If driving, there is plenty of metered parking on Queen St near the corner of Victoria St. There is also limited parking on Victoria Street outside the store.