[wordup] Lentil as Anything

[Adam Shand]

Great story about a Sri Lankan man, Shanaka Fernando, who opened a  
restaurant in Melbourne called "Lentil as Anything".  It's  
distinguishing feature is that you only pay what you choose to.  He  
says the unconditional trust creates a culture of generosity.  There's  
now three restaurants and he's looking at opening some overseas (bring  
one to Wellington!).

There's a good interview with him here:

http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/aft/2009/04/23/lentil_as_anything

From: Brett Shand <brett at shand...>
Source: http://www.lentilasanything.com/resturants.htm

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Food. Culture. Community

Lentil as Anything is a unique vegetarian restaurant that is run as a  
not-for-profit community organisation. It is largely staffed by  
volunteers, new migrants and refugees.

Lentil As Anything Started in 2000 and now has two restaurants. One is  
in Blessington Street, St. Kilda, and the other is at the Abbotsford  
Convent. It also runs the canteen at Collingwood College, the first  
ever school canteen that runs the pay-as-you-feel system.

Our Philosophy is that the customer decides what they want to donate  
for the food they've eaten - they decide what it's worth and give as  
they feel. Lentil aspires to provide a new model of community  
organisation that addresses social isolation and provides support and  
training to new migrants, refugees,youth and other members of our  
community that are struggling to find an opportunity. The Abbotsford  
Convent operates as a training facility for the hospitality industry.

Lentil believes Australia's strength is its multiculturalism and wants  
to develop and encourage the ideals of trust, generosity and respect.

We provide free food to countless people without drawing attention to  
their financial circumstances and encourage the interaction and  
involvement from people of all walks of life.

Lentil seeks to encourage interaction, cultural exchange and community  
growth. It is developing programs additional to its restaurants, using  
a community development model to address inequality for the people who  
come to eat and work at Lentil.

Lentil will happily receive donations for the work that it does and  
all donations are tax deductible- just as for a receipt. If you are  
interested in volunteering, please let us know by sending your details  
to volunteers at lentilasanything.com

Mr. Shanaka Fernando, who originated the idea, is very happy to speak  
to interested groups about the ideas and goals of Lentil As Anything.

Aims and Ethos

Lentil As Anything runs on a model of trust, generosity and social  
inclusion; and seeks to have a significant, positive influence on the  
development of our community, particularly in the following areas:

Great food, education, training, migration, multiculturalism, ethical  
business, environmental sustainability, hospitality, nutrition,  
artistic endeavours and community development.

LAA began in an attempt to use trust as an instrument of inclusion.  
Trust at Lentil is not conditional. Trust immediately creates a  
culture of generosity amongst participants. It is this generosity that  
has seen us grow from one restaurant in 2000 to five in 2008. Anyone  
who wishes to be part of the organisation may do so by strapping on an  
apron and slotting into the operation of food provision, or simply by  
eating at one of our restaurants. The profoundest philosophies are  
imparted through the simplest of means. The stark differences between  
us and other social support organisations is the unconditional nature  
of our open door. There is no criteria. Difference is an asset to be  
celebrated. Multiculturalism is Australia's greatest asset.