Meet Chamal De Silva!

Hailing from the scenic town of Ambalangoda in southern Sri Lanka, Chamal's culinary journey began amidst the vibrant markets and aromatic kitchens of his homeland. Growing up surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of Sri Lankan cuisine, Chamal developed a deep appreciation for the diverse flavours and traditional cooking techniques passed down through generations.

​

In 2006, at the age of 21, Chamal embarked on a new chapter in his life, leaving behind the sandy beaches and palm-fringed shores of Sri Lanka to pursue his dreams in Australia. Initially pursuing a career in IT, Chamal found himself drawn to the bustling culinary scene of Melbourne, where his passion for food would eventually lead him down a new path.

​

Chamal's journey into the world of professional cooking began humbly, with a part-time job at a Greek restaurant in Crown Casinos. Starting from the bottom as a kitchen hand and dishwasher, Chamal’s career path changed drastically with a simple question from a seasoned Serbian head chef asking, “Do you want to become a chef?”. This one question changed his life as he quickly found himself captivated by the fast-paced environment of the kitchen. Under the guidance of his mentor, Chamal's culinary skills began to blossom as he learned the art of Greek cuisine from scratch.
 

As his confidence grew, Chamal seized every opportunity to hone his craft, working his way up from pizza chef to leading the kitchen as head chef in various establishments across Melbourne. With each new role came invaluable lessons and experiences, from mastering the perfect steak to perfecting the art of breakfast at a 2 well known beachside cafés in Brighton and Elwood.