Nada Vindis

Nada began working in the community services sector in 1981. For 11 years she ran the largest youth homelessness services in Victoria. She joined STREAT to build a comprehensive social support service as the youth go through their hospitality training. Increasing young people’s income—and giving them skills—will help them break out of the homelessness cycle. 

Why do you live in Melbourne?

Melbourne is the third state I have lived in and it was never a city that I thought I would settle in. In 1998 I was passing through Melbourne from Perth and was on my way back to my state of origin – NSW. I stopped in Melbourne to visit a friend, had the good fortune of being able to wander the streets and to explore Melbourne and needless to say never quite made it back to NSW except to visit the folks.

What's your favorite thing to cook?

Chorizo and scallops – I got the recipe from the one and only time I have watched Nigella Lawson. Love to cook it, love to eat it but I really don’t think that it has ever turned out quite like what Nigella cooked….and I don’t care.

What is your most memorable meal?

There are so many and quite a lot of them were found in my mothers’ kitchen. There were these cream puffs that never once had the opportunity of becoming cool, with pastry so light and the custard filling was just a dream-- and talk about huge. 

What's the worst thing you've eaten?

Anything that involves turnip or Brussels sprouts in it is right up there the yuk factor. Over-boiled veggies of any variety does not impress in the slightest and can produce the gag reaction. 

Why do you care about youth homelessness?

Because it still exists and we haven’t come close yet to resolving it individually, as a community, or as a society. I want to be part of the solution in whatever small way I can.