As a cooking instructor, she found joy in “giving back” to the community which provided her with sanctuary.

Nayran Tabie says cooking was a way to support herself in Australia as well as to help others. Credit: Nayran Tabie

Sahar Shahkarami is an Iranian refugee who worked with Tabie in her cafe for a year, an opportunity she said allowed her to “flourish”.

Shahkarami has since springboarded into nursing studies while waiting for her visa to be processed.

‘Frequently attacked by militants’

“They tried to dig under our houses to reach the city. We were also frequently attacked by militants.”

“They told us the situation in Iran and Syria was stable and tried to convince us to turn back. We only had five days to decide what to do next. ISIS was behind us and the sea was in front of us.”

‘There weren’t enough life jackets for everyone’

“There were about 100 people on the boat, but only 38 survived. There weren’t enough life jackets for everyone, and some couldn’t swim,” Tabie said.

Tabie ran a thriving baklava business in Syria before she and her family left the country as asylum seekers. Credit: Nayran Tabie

The family was then placed into detention on Christmas Island.

They were settled in Melbourne in 2012, and Tabie said she found herself having to rebuild her life from scratch.

Flavours of Syria: A dream come true

“Some of the dishes I prepare are things my customers have never tasted before. They taste it once, then go and bring their family and friends to taste it too,” she said.

In October 2024, she expanded her culinary business by opening a second cafe in Camberwell.

‘I don’t feel like a mother’

“There’s still a long way to go, as I can’t apply to bring them over until I get Australian citizenship.”