Young Chef of the Year, presented by Smeg: Viveik Vinoharan
The ultimate accolade for a committed and talented chef aged 30 or under with an exciting culinary viewpoint, a social conscience and strong leadership potential.
They say third time’s the charm – not that this year’s Young Chef of the Year is lacking in the charm department. This is the third time Viveik Vinoharan has been shortlisted as a finalist for this award; a mark of his resilience, tenacity and the clarity of his vision – all vital for enduring success in the kitchen.
“My aim has always been to integrate the flavours of my Sri Lankan heritage into an Australian context, as an honest reflection of who I am and where I come from,” he says.
In March, Vinoharan stepped away from his post at Lilac Wine to do just that over a series of wildly successful pop-ups. Those in attendance might remember his savoury pumpkin mochi with seeni sambol – a radiant triangulation of his Sri Lankan roots, his work experience in Japan, and the Australian appetite for bold, wine-friendly snacking.
“This year, I feel I have finally hit my stride,” he says. We couldn’t agree more.
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