In Syrian households, Ftour (which translates to 'breakfast') is more than just the first meal of the day. It symbolises communal warmth as families and friends gather around the table to share a plethora of dishes — from hearty chickpea fatteh and savoury mezze to rich labneh and comforting, sweet treats — all made with love and tradition.

We invite you to join us for a special Ftour brunch prepared by Racha Abou Alchamat at Magenta House on Saturday 6 September. Born and raised in Syria, Racha learned how to cook from her father, who was a chef and restaurant owner. Now based on Gadigal/Sydney, Racha works as a professional chef who is dedicated to championing the versatility of Syrian foodways through educational cooking classes, catering, and cultural events.

This is your chance to meet Racha and experience how traditional Syrian meals are cooked, plated and shared—in the intimate, domestic setting of Magenta House, a 'public home' for people to synergise through food, storytelling and art. After the brunch, Racha will conduct a demo class to teach participants how to make the aromatic Arabic dessert Halawet el Jeben.

See you there!

Details

When: Saturday 6 September
Time: 11am-2pm
Where: Magenta House, Redfern (Address provided to registered attendees)
Cost: AUD $75 per person / $125 for two people

Note: Placements are strictly limited due to the intimate nature of this event. For general enquiries, access info, or dietary questions, please email Mariam on housekeeper@magentahouse.com.au.

About your hosts

Racha Abou Alchamat is the founder of Racha’s Syrian Kitchen, a culinary venture dedicated to sharing the rich flavours, traditions, and stories of Syrian cuisine with the Australian community. Born and raised in Syria, Racha learned to cook from her father — a chef and restaurant owner — and from generations of family recipes passed down with love.

Since moving to Australia, she has proudly become one of the first Syrians to introduce and educate Australians about authentic Syrian food. Through her cooking classes, catering, and public events, Racha blends food with storytelling, offering a taste of home while fostering cultural understanding and connection. Racha’s Syrian Kitchen has been featured on SBS Food, The Guardian, and The Cook Up with Adam Liaw. Her work is driven by a vision of using food as a bridge between cultures — inviting people to gather, cook, share, and celebrate together. Whether in an intimate kitchen class, a vibrant festival, or a corporate team-building session, Racha brings warmth, authenticity, and a deep passion for showcasing the beauty of Syrian hospitality — one dish at a time.

Magenta House is a gathering and knowledge-sharing space that explores the prisms between art, food, communing and experimental practices. Nestled inside a re-envisioned domestic home in Redfern on Gadigal/Sydney Australia, we self-organise and partner with bright minds to host programs that foster spacious learning, cultural revitalisation, and cross-field dialogues. Our activities include workshops, talks,communal meals, test kitchens, dialogues, soirées, reading sessions, and more. We also run a community library and online shop supporting social ventures, publishers, and independent artisans across Asia and Australia. Established in April 2023, Magenta House is a synergetic platform for ideas and encounters to ferment.