Kosher caterers get back in the kitchen

LONG-TIME communal caterers Felicia and Stanley Kahn are fronting a new kosher catering company in NSW one month after their business Passion8 was officially placed into liquidation.

Felicia told The AJN this week that a group of investors purchased some of Passion8’s assets and the new company, which doesn’t have a name yet, will operate out of Passion8’s former kitchen in Lane Cove.

“We are now renting Lane Cove and although our staff won’t be as big as before, we’ve been able to keep most of our staff,” Felicia said.

She said the new company will not sell food to the supermarkets, a division of Passion8 that was not profitable, but it will still offer a limited online business selling the most popular products.

“Our core business is the functions and we are going to tailor-make menus to suit people’s taste buds and their budgets,” she said.

The new business is also in negotiations to continue servicing the kosher meals on wheels market.

Felicia said that she’s very excited about the future of the new company.

“I’ve been involved in this community for 27 years and the thought of not being able to do this was killing me.

“I want to thank the entire community for the unwavering support that they have shown us through this terrible time, and also thank the members of the JCA that spent tireless hours working to resurrect the business.”

Passion8 and its associated companies had debts of more $4 million when it was put into administration.

The directors of the company stated in the report that there are several reasons Passion8 saw a dramatic decline. They included: a drop in turnover, the size of functions and associated budgets of functions since the global financial crisis, kosher-style functions and a claim that there are too many kosher caterers in Sydney.

Felicia said she believes the new company, and structure, will enable the business to serve the community for many years into the future.

JOSHUA LEVI

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