Fair Food Club

Equality, multi-cultural environment and healthy cooking in a unique traditional bistro

Admin | Comune di Milano 21/06/2021

Born in Georgia, Lela lives in the Czech Republic since 2003 with her family. She currently runs a bistro in the centre of Praha inspired by her national cuisine and based on the principles of healthy nutrition for everyone. “To cook for you with love and love” is her mission

Can you please tell us how you had the idea to start your business?

Me and my family (my husband and kids) moved to the Czech Republic as refugees in 2003. My first job was as a cleaning lady. Thanks to the support of a non-profit organization helping migrants settle, I started to work for a multicultural catering service (Ethnocatering), gaining experience and competencies in the food sector. I took courses in Czech, finances and cooking and after some time living in a foreign country became a bit easier. After almost 10 years, in 2014, together, with another partner, I decided to change for something more stable and regular developing my own activity. The idea to start a business was also based on the developed connections with the university. I wanted to create a new concept of school meals, which is no longer just about thawing and selling semi-finished products, frying and mayonnaise sandwiches but inspired by the need to bring honest, fresh and healthy food to the campus and catering. I truly believe that we are what we eat – that what we eat affects our health and mental state, contributing to our well-being and good study results!

Also, Ethnocatering customers were always asking if we had a bistro. My little restaurant keeps the unique international atmosphere which Ethnocatering had. Our menu is built so that everyone can find something for themselves: it includes traditional Georgian meals but not only, paying attention to using only fresh and honest ingredients, suitable for people with gluten intolerance and other food allergies, vegan, vegetarians. Also, Fair Food Club provides the possibility of fair earnings and self-realization for women in difficult life situations (e.g. migrant women, single mothers) and people with disabilities.

Can you please tell us about the main obstacles you have encountered and how you managed to overcome them?

In our case we did not encounter many obstacles in running our business. When we started, we received a fair offer for a relatively cheap location to start the activity. Also, as far as administrative issues and competences in the sector, my previous experience as manager in Ethnocatering allowed me to know almost everything needed. But of course, it is not always like this.

Photo from @bistrofairfoodclub/.

Has the recent pandemic affected your business and how did you overcome the challenges?

Of course, the Covid19 pandemic has partly affected our business. We had to fire one of our cooks. During the quarantine periods, my whole family joined to keep the bistro running, we reviewed the opening times (we were open only for few hours during lunchtime etc.) and activated new services (such as take-outs) to adapt to the new situation. But we were lucky because our bistro is located in an area which is surrounded by many hospitals, so our regular clientele (doctors, nurses…) has kept coming and supported us.

How do you see the future of your company?

I would like to continue working in the direction of enhancing the traditional character of my business, involving more my family. I want to make it became a place where young people like to go, eat and spend time.

Is there anything you would like to tell to your fellow entrepreneurs? #somethinginspirational

“Don’t be afraid. If you have an idea, go for it. Don’t be scared that your level of a foreign language is not enough – there are always people or organizations that can help you. And even if at the beginning the process seems hard and slow, you should be patient, because, in the end, your efforts will bear fruit!”

Discover more

Web site: www.fairfoodclub.cz Facebook: @bistrofairfoodclub/