Friday, March 29, 2024
ADVT 
Chefs

Chef Kumar Mahadevan

Darpan News Desk, 13 Jun, 2020 12:21 AM
  • Chef Kumar Mahadevan

Chef Kumar Mahadevan has become widely regarded as the Godfather of Indian cuisine in Australia.


Appearing on Masterchef twice and with a book deal in the pipeline, it is no wonder that Chef Kumar Mahadevan has become widely regarded as the Godfather of Indian cuisine. Kumar Mahadevan got a taste for Indian cuisine from an early age, learning long-held family recipes in his mother’s kitchen as a child. Knowing instinctively that cooking was to be his career path, he embarked on his culinary education at the age of 17 at India’s Institute of Hotel Management. From here, Chef Kumar went on to complete his apprenticeship at the Taj Intercontinental Hotel in Bombay, before moving to Australia in 1985 to work. He soon found himself in Australia heading up the kitchen at the highly regarded Mayur restaurant, where he cooked for the likes of Prince Phillip and Mick Jagger.

 


Inspired by these experiences and demonstrating a natural flair for flavour combination, Chef Kumar opened his first restaurant, Abhi's in North Strathfield - named after his first son - in 1990. Now, 20 years on, Abhi’s has obtained status as one of Sydney’s cult dining hot spots, testament to the popularity of Chef Kumar’s distinctive and elegant brand of Indian fare. Following this, Chef Kumar embarked on a more ambitious operation, Aki’s, on the historic finger Wharf in Woolloomooloo, named after his second son. Both restaurants showcase Kumar’s modern interpretation of Indian food – the light, delicate flavours and generous use of fresh, aromatic spices have since become Chef Kumar’s signature.

 

 

Chef Kumar delights in creating dishes that combine the best of local seafood and fresh produce, rich with the flavours of his native Southern India – a contemporary approach to a traditional cuisine that has won him praise and respect. In addition to his Masterchef appearances, Chef Kumar was chosen by Joanna Savill, Director of SIFF, to represent the flavours and colours of Indian cuisine in the first Sydney International Food Festival. Chef Kumar also brought to Sydney Chef Praveen Annand, internationally acclaimed for his knowledge of Southern Indian cooking. His association with Praveen Annand continues today, with Chef Kumar making regular visits to continue his education on both the historic and contemporary aspects of Indian food.



It is not just Chef Kumar’s widely recognised skills in the kitchen that have helped to gain him such widespread status. A charming and loquacious man, Chef Kumar’s endearing effervescence has ensured he is as celebrated for his food as he is for his character. Chef Kumar’s role as an ambassador of Indian cuisine in Australia is his career legacy.

 

MORE Chefs ARTICLES

Festive recipes by Chef Anjali Pathak

Festive recipes by Chef Anjali Pathak
Anjali Pathak is an exciting talent in the spice arena with a fun-loving and warm character. Having learnt the basics of Indian cookery from a young age, Chef Pathak has stepped out of her heritage and works with spice and flavours from across the globe.

Festive recipes by Chef Anjali Pathak

Chef Surjan Singh Jolly

Chef Surjan Singh Jolly
He is a proud recipient of the prestigious Global Marriott Hotels & Resorts ‘Chef of the Year Award for Culinary Excellence’.

Chef Surjan Singh Jolly

Chef Saransh Goila

Chef Saransh Goila
Roti Rasta aur India, a 100-day journey undertaken by Chef Goila covered 25 states and documented the expansive culinary richness of India. 

Chef Saransh Goila

Kitchen Queen: Chef Nita Mehta

Kitchen Queen: Chef Nita Mehta
The talented chef-author has launched her restaurant chain Nita Mehta’s Kelong in Ludhiana, Chandigarh and Rohtak.

Kitchen Queen: Chef Nita Mehta

Chef Floyd Cardoz

Chef Floyd Cardoz
He is a four-time James Beard Award nominee and regularly works with Share our Strength, City Harvest, C-CAP: Careers through Culinary Arts Program, and Madison Square Park Conservancy, among others. In 2012, Floyd won Season 3 of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters. 

Chef Floyd Cardoz

Healthy Recipes from Chef Cyrus Todiwala

Healthy Recipes from Chef Cyrus Todiwala
From ‘chef of genius’ to ‘creator of the classiest curries in the City’ and in 2014 ‘BBC Food Personality of the Year’ this Mumbai-born Parsee chef has been called all manner of good things, but the Chef Patron of Cafe Spice Namaste, Mr Todiwalaʹs Kitchen, Assado, and The Park Café in Victoria Park East still has his feet very much on the ground...running.

Healthy Recipes from Chef Cyrus Todiwala