Empowerment on the menu with Parliament on King

In the competitive world of catering, Parliament on King combines exceptional cuisine with a powerful social mission.

This catering-focused social enterprise is driven not by profit, but by purpose: to serve beautiful food while providing meaningful employment opportunities for people seeking asylum, refugees, and newly arrived migrants in Australia.

Their partnership with the Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC) creates a space where dignity, community, and opportunity flourish.

Fuelled by purpose and passion

Ravi Prasad, founder of Parliament on King, describes what motivated the company to employ people seeking asylum:

“Hiring people seeking asylum was motivated by a desire to support one of the most determined, motivated, and resourceful groups of individuals.

“They are not looking for charity — they are driven by a desire to become self-reliant and to build a better future for themselves and their families.”

This attitude has had a powerful and inspiring impact on the workplace culture.

Enriching food and culture through diversity

Ravi shares how each person seeking asylum brings a unique cultural heritage that enriches the menu and sets their enterprise apart in a highly competitive market.

“The people seeking asylum on our team have been instrumental in maintaining high standards.

“Their deep connection to their cultural roots and food traditions adds authenticity and flavour to our menu, while their commitment to excellence ensures that every dish is crafted with care.”

This blend of cultural authenticity and dedication has helped Parliament on King maintain a reputation for outstanding quality, reflected in glowing customer reviews spanning more than a decade.

Collaboration with the Asylum Seekers Centre

Parliament on King has collaborated with the Asylum Seekers Centre’s Employment Services team for almost a decade.

The support of the Asylum Seekers Centre’s Employment Services team made recruitment processes seamless and connected Parliament on King with talented jobseekers. The team works closely with Della Zhang, co-founder of Parliament on King, who handles the operations, catering, recruitment and training of staff.

With valuable experience gained from Parliament on King, members of our community have also gone on to gain other employment opportunities. 

Parliament on King also offers ad hoc workshops and training, helping people seeking asylum increase their chances of success in the workplace. In the past year, Parliament on King has run two Cafe Basics workshops for our community members looking to develop skills and confidence in hospitality.

Photo: Ravi Prasad (centre of photo) hosts the Cafe Basics workshop for ASC community 

Ravi explains, “People seeking asylum will show up for training opportunities even when there’s no guarantee of a job—simply because they want to learn, grow, and make something of their situation.”

A call to other employers

Ravi’s advice to other businesses is clear and compelling:

“Place people seeking asylum at the top of your hiring list.”

“Their hunger to better their lives and build a future is truly inspiring, and they are willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.”

“Employers who give people seeking asylum a chance aren’t just fulfilling a social responsibility—they’re gaining employees who bring resilience, commitment, and a strong work ethic that is often rare to find.

Serving community and hope

Parliament on King is a shining example of how business success and social impact can go hand in hand.

Their partnership with the Asylum Seekers Centre creates more than jobs—it builds community, power, and dignity for people seeking asylum.

Success, indeed, tastes best when shared.

Interested in partnering with the Employment Services team?

Visit the Employment page or email: employment@asylumseekerscentre.org.au