American Express, in partnership with the International Downtown Association (IDA) Foundation and the support of Restaurant & Catering Australia, has revealed the six Sydney-based restaurants that will be part of the Backing International Small Restaurants grants program.
The grants aim to support independent restaurant and café owners who identify as being underrepresented and/or economically vulnerable, with special consideration also given to those who play an important role in their local community, from hiring and training displaced refugees to donating leftover goods to food banks.
This year’s grants see Sydney as one of the five cities globally selected to be involved in the program, alongside London, Mexico City, Tokyo and Toronto. Each of the grant winners will receive AU$21,000 each to help boost their business.
The six Sydney restaurant who will receive the grant are:
- Kabul Social – Barangaroo
- Viand – Woolloomooloo
- Kaska Eatery – Darlinghurst
- Small’s Deli – Potts Point
- Food Addict- Darlinghurst
- IIKO Mazesoba – Haymarket.
“Sydney’s dining and hospitality industry is at the very core of what makes our city so iconic, but the effects of the pandemic and the uncertain economic outlook has left many small businesses feeling vulnerable and under pressure,” Emily Roberts, Vice President and General Manager of Consumer and Commercial Services, American Express commented. “As part of our commitment to back small businesses, it’s imperative that we do what we can to support hard-working operators. Our hope is that these funds will allow them to continue to deliver meaningful experiences for their customers.”
David Downey, Executive Director of the IDA Foundation, said that the Backing International Small Restaurants program recognises the vital role small, independent restaurants play in our communities.
“The program furthers our commitment to supporting the businesses which have been selected, helping them thrive and succeed in the wake of ongoing economic challenges worldwide,” Downey explained.
And Suresh Manickam, CEO of Restaurant & Catering Australia, expressed his organisation’s pride in supporting a local program backed by a global brand designed to invigorate local and independent restaurants and keep Sydney’s hospitality industry on the global stage.
To date, American Express has provided grants to more than 100 restaurants globally through this program and its U.S. Backing Historic Small Restaurants program.
