Primary school student opens pop-up cafe to raise money for charities
A primary school student with a passion for cooking and a flair for business has set up a pop-up cafe in the heart of Albert Park to raise money for charities. Here’s what’s on the 11-year-old’s menu.
Inner South
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Mia Lewis is a MasterChef in the making.
The Albert Park 11-year-old has been setting up “Popbang” — a pop-up cafe — outside her home to raise money for a charity of her choice several times a year since 2017.
Mia is about to open up the cafe again this month, with cash raised going to the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre.
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The St Kilda Park Primary student said her love of cooking began when she started the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program at her school two years ago.
“It helped me a lot with the cooking in the kitchen so I thought why don’t I start my own little cafe?” Mia said.
She said Popbang had since donated funds to charities including Wildlife Victoria and Take 3 for the Sea and Sea Shepherd Australia.
The cafe serves up smoothies, juices, muffins and coffee, with the avocado smash being Mia’s menu recommendation.
Mia’s mum, Larissa, and dad, Nick, are the baristas and her sister Olivia is the waitress.
“When there are a lot of customers it is stressful, and all the preparation is also hard,” Mia said.
“But it’s also really fun.”
Larissa said the cafe was a great channel for her daughter to be independent and creative.
“She was like a dog with a bone with this so we just tried to make it happen for her,” Larissa said.
“I definitely think she will pursue cooking in the future because she loves eating too.”
Popbang cafe will run on Page St between Kerferd Rd and Mills St from 9:30am-12pm on Sunday, May 19.
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