STORY DINNER – YOUR MOMENT OF CHANGE
WHERE: Kyiv Social – Plate It Forward
202 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008
COST: $65
Doors: 6 pm | Start: 6:30 pm
As part of the Third I Festival — a month-long celebration of storytelling, culture and connection - Plate It Forward has joined with Word Travels to bring to you intimate evening of food and storytelling at Kyiv Social, where refugees and migrants share their journeys through words and flavour. Curated by Hani Abdile alongside Maryam Zahid and Rataj Abdullah. The night weaves together voices, memories and the universal language of food.
Food has a quiet way of bringing us together—gently opening hearts and creating space for stories to unfold. It’s in the comforting aroma of a meal made with love, the laughter around a shared table and the joy of discovering new flavours that we find the common threads that connect us.
At the table, each guest is invited to share a personal story inspired by the prompt: “The Moment When Everything Changed.” Describe it through your senses—the smell, taste, sound, sight or touch that marks that pivotal moment. Through these stories, we discover that while our journeys may be different, the experiences that shape us are deeply shared.
This dinner is more than a meal; it is a celebration of resilience, culture and community—where nourishment transforms into story and story becomes memory.
HOST: Hani Abdile
FEATURES: Rataj Abdullah and Maryam Zahid
STORY WEEK DINNERS
You are invited to bring a story. Word Travels provides the food and special Story Week guests. In this series of experiences, everybody shares an authentic part of themselves around a dinner table. Each night features a theme. Pick one, book yourself in, then eat, drink and open your memory box. A welcoming space for both the shy and gregarious.
Warning: may include face to face communication with other humans and eye contact.
Booking is essential.
Capacity: Tiny.
Responses from previous Story Dinner attendees:
“I left this event with Soul Full, heart warmed and mind opened. Sharing space, stories, food and time with friends and strangers, all willing to be both brave and vulnerable. The Story Week guest led and held space with such mastery.”
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“Such an incredible evening in a beautiful space with wonderful humans full of interesting stories and experiences.”
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“A beautiful and remarkable experience indeed.”
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Content Warning: Most poetry events are all ages and some content may not be suitable for children. Performances may include strong language and / or adult themes.
This event is supported by the City of Sydney, helping us create connection through food and culture.
Event times local time.
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Photos: Hani Abdile (photo credit: Catherine Hourihan), Maryam Zahid, Rataj Abdullah (photo credit: Witnessing Her Photography) and Maryam Zahid. Story Week 2025 artwork design: Rachel Stone Art & Design. Concepts: Miles Merrill and the Word Travels team.
