Rangatahi Learn Work Skills at the Cooks Collective Cafe

Bita, Shabnam and Fathiya serve a Nepali dinner at the Cooks Collective Cafe.

You might have noticed some new friendly faces at the Cooks Collective Cafe at Manuka Cottage over the last few months. We’ve started a new six-month long Hospitality Work Experience Programme for 10 rangatahi studying at the nearby Hagley College.

This programme supports young people who arrived here as refugees from Afghanistan, Sudan, Kurdistan and Eritrea to settle in their new home of Ōtautahi Christchurch. By the end of the programme they’ll be equipped with hospitality skills, practical work experience and CV credentials in order to be more employable in the local hospitality sector.

Fathiya, who is a former refugee from Somalia and arrived in Christchurch less than a year ago says her favourite part of the programme is meeting new people: “I just love talking to the customers!” and that “It’s really fun to serve people. I hope I can get a job in a cafe or restaurant one day.“

Contributing to their new home is also what drives many of the young people to be involved “I’ve enjoyed meeting new people and working in a friendly place. It gives us a chance to make a positive contribution in the community and has given me confidence feeling comfortable working here.”

Getting a job is a milestone for any young person, and a challenging one in today’s employment climate. With the Cooks Collective Cafe catering for up to 50 people for dinner on the second Friday of every month its a win-win for the Cooks Collective to have these enthusiastic young people to help serve food, greet customers and pack up at the end of the night.

Every night finishes with the team sharing a meal together at a table at the Cooks Collective Cafe, practicing English together and enjoying the food.

Come down and join us for dinner! The cafe is open on the first Friday of every month 6 - 7.30pm at Manuka Cottage, 70 Harman Street, Addington. There’s a different menu - Afghan, Eritrean, Nepali or Palestinian - to try every month. Prices are $16 for a meal, $4 for a dessert and $3 for a drink.

Read more here: https://www.sharekai.nz/cc-cafe

Rangatahi team share dinner after the cafe service, August 2026.