Shanaka Fernando was named Australia's Local Hero for his work founding not-for-profit restaurant chain Lentil as anything.
The group of four restaurants, which employs about 80 young people and provides space for artists and writers, does not set prices for dishes.
Instead, diners are encouraged to pay what they can afford or what they think the meal was worth.
Mr Fernando sunk his personal capital into the first restaurant and turned it into a co-operative and youth training enterprise. Lentil as Anything has shown that it is possible for a business to be run on a socially responsible, idealistic basis and still be financially successful and popular.
The 38-year-old restaurateur, who was born in Sri Lanka and arrived in Australia in 1989, said the award meant a great deal to him.
"Hopefully it means the nature of what is happening through our organisation is important and will spill out to the greater society.
"I hope this award will inspire other migrants and anyone in the community who may have ideas that might not seem normal and which have no prior format to go ahead and try these ideas and follow your heart."
And on the eve of Australia Day, Mr Fernando said he thought to be Australian was to be "welcoming of others … to be encouraging of each other".
I Met Shanaka some time ago when some friends of mine and myself took a huge road trip from Sydney to Melbourne just to visit hes restaurant in melbourne I love this guy he has a heart as big as one could have and a social awarness that is everything I want mine to be! I almost cryed when I heard he had won an award (about time) and I watched him accept it on TV with in a most humble way!!! This man is great!!
Who would have thought a restaurant with no prices would suvive let alone bring some social change!!!
My heart goes out to you Shanaka with love, light and blessings to you my friend!!!!
Sarah xoxo
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Instead, diners are encouraged to pay what they can afford or what they think the meal was worth.
Wow! I really hope it stays in business and prospers.
You little Socialist, you! :)
Oh I am sure it will he started with one restaurant which was turning over 2 million dollars a year now there are 4 restaurants and all are doing just as good from what I know ... all the profits go back into the comunity etc ....
I have always been a proud socilist while it has failed sometimes it has also work very well in many comunitys and countrys I feel its the only real way to bring about social equality
Two comments by nice people, and one comment by one grouch. LOL
I hope it works out well but I know a lot of people that would take advantage of that.
And a lot of rich people that think they are too good to even go there.
Guys maybe your getting it wrong its not something that is just starting its been up and running for about 10 years now and grown to 4 restaurants with a turn over somewhere around 10 million dollars a year!!!!!
Sarah.... I don't think it would work in this country, but I would like to be wrong.
As for your comment on my blog. You don't get what, hon?
That we are all frigging crazy in America?
That I'm God?
And God is crazy?
LOL..... Hugs.
This really isn't directly about your post, but I would like to talk to you sometime about becoming vegan. I've been vegetarian for years--occasionally I am ordered to eat meat because I get anemia, but I am trying to address that with supplements and leafy greens. As it is, my son won't eat meat, probably because I didn't when I was pregant, but he eats dairy. I am a lentil and garbanzo freak, plus I make a mean miso. One day I wouldn't mind discussing it with you.
I like the whole idea - except I really am not a fan of lentils... :P
Hey Bazza good to see ya back .. chat soon I hope
Thats a smart idea!
it takes 'tipping' to a whole new level !!
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