Agora Food Studio's move to Timorese ownership

Dear family, friends and global citizens interested in supporting sustainable food initiatives,

We are Alu, Paula, Kelo, Ana and Eulalia, five young Timorese hospitality and tourism professionals innovating with Timor-Leste's unique food and coffee. We are taking the brave step of owning our first enterprise, Agora Food Studio. Our business mentors Alva K Lim and Mark Peter Notaras have 'passed the fire' over to us to continue their vision of stimulating a passionate and committed local food movement in Timor-Leste. They have given us the reputable Agora Food Studio brand, as well as major restaurant assets, to help kick-start our journey as business owners. The restaurant was officially handed over to us on 1 April 2023

For those of you who don't know us, Agora Food Studio was established in 2016 with a bold mission to develop Timorese leaders in food, coffee and tourism. After more than 6 years, 1500 service days, 100,000 patron and staff meals, countless cups of café Timors and more than a few chocolate tarts, Agora will re-open in August as a fully Timorese-owned and operated business.

The five of us have loved working together since 2017 and are now ready to invest in our combined futures as business owners. We bring 50,000 hours of hospitality experience as chefs, baristas, business managers, mentors and coaches, creatives and community connectors.

Why are we seeking your complimentary investment at this time?

1 - to keep all of our team on salaries during 3-4 months of no income, since all of us are the primary income earners for our families.

2 - to help us cover some of the costs of moving out of our original location and joining our new friends in Timor Plaza.

3 - to enable us to prepare for our exciting upcoming collaboration connecting food communities and schools across Timor-Leste with First Nations' elders and youth in Australia.

For your support to us (over $A100) you will be invited to our grand opening of our new place in August of 2023.

Thanks in advance for your support, whether financial or just some love at this time as we begin the next chapter of our careers as food and coffee innovators!

Obrigado barak! (meaning thank you very much in Tetun)

Alu, Paula, Kelo, Ana and Eulalia.

p.s. we hope you enjoyed this video produced by our very own Paula Torres, with support from our colleagues Elviana and Francisco.