Consultant, journalist, editor and copywriter from Naarm (Melbourne), Australia. Now based in Europe. Food is my bread and butter.
SERVICES
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I’m an experienced consultant who has a broad range of experience in food media, events, publishing and hospitality. Get in touch if you’re seeking a food and drink event consultant, commissioning and/or a publishing consultant.
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It’s imperative to avoid bias and harmful or inaccurate information in your content – whether it be posts via social media, your menu or a book you’re working on. Hire me to read through your document and ensure the content you’re publishing avoids stereotypes or offensive content.
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I’ve curated and executed everything from large-scale fundraising events to small-scale private functions. Let’s touch base to see what you need help organising. I can draw upon my experience and existing connections within hospitality to make your event a success.
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I’m an experienced public speaker and panel host who loves a yarn about diversity, food, media and politics. I’ve previously I’ve spoken with and facilitated discussions for:
Global Victoria
Melbourne Writers Festival
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
ABC Radio Melbourne
ABC Radio Brisbane
MPavilion
FBi Radio
Time Out Australia
The Asian Australian Project
Diversity in Food Media Australia
As I Am podcast
The Food Fight podcast
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I’ve penned many articles from features to short-form pieces for mainstream media outlets and private clients. I’m full of ideas and can create any form of content you need. Some of the media outlets I’ve written for include:
Gourmet Traveller, The Age’s Good Food, SBS, SBS Food, Time Out Melbourne, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Colournary, The Age and ACCLAIM. -
I’m open to ghostwriting and am able to match someone’s voice and tone with ease. I’m currently ghostwriting a cookbook.
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I’m a seasoned editor with years of experience. I’ve edited for Time Out Melbourne, Colournary, Hardie Grant Books and Catalyst Magazine.
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Looking to make a cookbook? Want to know what it takes to make a book? Need to get your event or venue published in the media? I’ve learnt the ins-and-outs of publishing in media and books and can offer any help when it comes to either.
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I’ve managed social media for multiple organisations, dealt with PR agencies and worked behind the scenes in media. I know what it takes to curate a press release that cuts through the fat, how to stand out and develop viral content. Hire me to get your social media and/or media presence up to scratch.
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Want to know where to eat? Need help launching a magazine? I can help with anything and everything!
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Need to organise a photoshoot? Looking for a chef to join your team? Desperately searching for an editor? I’ve got access to a broad network of people I can link you up with.
PROJECTS
Minds en Place
In 2023, I launched Minds en Place with my business partner. Minds en Place is a hub for diversity, wellbeing and hospitality. We offer bespoke mental health, diversity and inclusion workshops and catering by BIPOC chefs, tailored plans and events, consulting, and networks that can produce and foster meaningful connections. Find out more about what we do here.
Colournary
I launched Colournary in 2020 during the peak of the BLM movement. I wanted to create a safe space for First Nations People, Black People and People of Colour closer to home. A space where we could tell our own stories and share our cultures and cuisines with everyone. Colournary is the first of its kind in Australia. I’m currently editor-in-chief and manage a team of volunteers. We’re currently looking at ways in which we can build our presence and provide more opportunities to emerging and established creatives. Watch this space.
Freelance Writing
I’ve penned many articles from features to short-form pieces for mainstream media outlets and private clients. I’m full of ideas and can create any form of content you need. Some of the media outlets I’ve written for include:
The Guardian, Gourmet Traveller, The Age’s Good Food, SBS, SBS Food, Time Out Melbourne, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Colournary and ACCLAIM. Have a look at my portfolio to see more.
Time Out Melbourne
I took over as Time Out Melbourne’s food and drink editor in 2020 during lockdown. During my time at Time Out, I penned over 200 articles, curated Melbourne’s best restaurants and bar lists for 2021, managed freelance writers, edited articles, drove traffic to the site and accumulated over 100,000 unique views on my content alone per month. I managed social media posts, attended launches and new venue openings and aimed to ensure diverse and respectful coverage of venues in Melbourne.
Fundraiser for Sri Lanka
I successfully organised and ran a fundraiser for people affected by Sri Lanka’s crisis at the Hotel Windsor’s Grand Ballroom. Relying solely on donations and sponsorships, I wrangled the event in under a month and raised $25,000. The event included a raffle with exceptional food and drink prizes, was hosted by comedian Suren Jayemanne, catered for by Many Little Bar and Bistro’s executive chef, Gayan Pieris and made possible by the 20 volunteers I enlisted and managed on the day.
Vue Group
I was the sole marketer at the Vue Group, which at the time owned Vue de monde, Jardin Tan, Iki-Jime, Vue Events and more. I managed the social media channels and websites for each venue, liaised with chefs, managers and staff across each venue, and successfully executed EDMs. I was impacted by decreased hours as the pandemic began and had to pivot our strategy along with the business’ offerings.
Hardie Grant Books
During my time at Hardie Grant Books I learned how to make a book from start to finish. I sought out and commissioned titles to emerging and established authors with a focus on food. I commissioned 14 titles and worked alongside chefs and oversaw teams of seven freelancers per project. I’m now consulting for Hardie Grant on a remainder of my titles and am a publishing consultant, working similarly to an agent. Authors whose works I’m publishing include: Cara Devine, Diana Chan, Ellie Bouhadana, Junda Khoo, Helly Raichura, Kishwar Chowdhury, Boris Portnoy, Kon Karapanagiotidis, Julie Marr and more.
Anonymous Client
I’m currently consulting for a big organisation on a large-scale food event. I’m bringing my knowledge and expertise on food, sustainability and local connections to curate a program suited to the client’s needs.
Kon Karapanagiotidis OAM, CEO and founder of the ASRC on his upcoming cookbook
“I want to thank you for believing in my book from day one and believing in what I was trying to create with my mum, I really do appreciate it. Thank you for trusting me.”
Ellie Bouhadana, head chef at Hope St Radio on her upcoming cookbook
“Thank you so much for everything Rushani, you are a big reason behind a lot of this book. I hope you know how supportive and integral you have been to my process with writing this book. It has been so lovely working with you.”
AS SEEN IN
Time Out
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SBS Food
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Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
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SBS
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ACCLAIM
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Colournary
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The Age's Good Food
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The Guardian
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Diversity in Food Media
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Time Out • SBS Food • Melbourne Food and Wine Festival • SBS • ACCLAIM • Colournary • The Age's Good Food • The Guardian • Diversity in Food Media •
About
Food, diversity, community and words are everything to me.
I’m the founder and editor of Colournary Magazine, Australia’s first food and culture magazine to celebrate and amplify the voices of First Nations People, Black People and People of Colour.
I’m also a consultant, public speaker and freelance food writer. I put heart and soul into everything I do and, if I give you my word, I’ll get it done. Touch base and let’s see what we can create together.