Discover the culinary journey of Chef Rishi Naleendra, a renowned chef from Sri Lanka. Learn about his passion for cooking, innovative techniques, and culinary expertise that have earned him international acclaim. Explore his inspiring story and be inspired by his culinary creations that blend Sri Lankan flavors with global influences. Join Chef Rishi Naleendra on a gastronomic adventure that tantalizes the taste buds and showcases the rich culinary heritage of Sri Lanka.
Introduction
Rishi Naleendra is a renowned Sri Lankan chef and restaurateur who has achieved significant milestones in the culinary industry. His rise to fame began after he won the prestigious S. Pellegrino Young Chef award in 2016. Since then, he has made a name for himself by serving up exquisite contemporary cuisine with a touch of Sri Lankan flavor. His restaurants, Cheek Bistro in Singapore, and Kotuwa in Colombo, have garnered critical acclaim and numerous accolades from food critics and patrons alike. In this biography, we will delve into the life and career of Chef Rishi Naleendra, from his early beginnings to his current successes.
Early Life and Education
Rishi Naleendra was born on February 27, 1983, in Sri Lanka’s capital city, Colombo. He grew up in a traditional Sri Lankan family, where his parents encouraged him to pursue a career in medicine or engineering. However, Rishi had other plans. From a young age, he was fascinated by the culinary arts and spent much of his free time experimenting with different ingredients and flavors in his mother’s kitchen. His passion for cooking only grew stronger as he got older, and he decided to pursue a career in the culinary industry.
In pursuit of his dream, Rishi enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He spent two years there, honing his skills and learning the intricacies of Western cuisine. During this time, he worked in some of New York’s most renowned restaurants, including Eleven Madison Park and Per Se, where he gained valuable experience working under some of the world’s most celebrated chefs.
Career in the Culinary Industry
After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Rishi worked as a chef in several restaurants across the United States. However, his heart was always set on returning to Sri Lanka to start his own restaurant. In 2014, he decided to take the plunge and moved back to Colombo with his wife, Manoella, to open his first restaurant, The Tasting Room.
The Tasting Room
The Tasting Room was a small, cozy restaurant that served contemporary cuisine with a Sri Lankan twist. The restaurant quickly became a favorite among locals and visitors alike, and Rishi’s unique style of cooking earned him critical acclaim from food critics across the country. In 2015, The Tasting Room was listed as one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, which was a significant achievement for Rishi and his team.
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Pellegrino Young Chef Award
In 2016, Rishi Naleendra participated in the S. Pellegrino Young Chef competition, where he represented Southeast Asia. The competition was fierce, with 20 young chefs from around the world vying for the top prize. Rishi wowed the judges with his dish of smoked eel, foie gras, and apple, and was declared the winner of the competition.
Winning the S. Pellegrino Young Chef award was a turning point in Rishi’s career. It gave him global recognition and put Sri Lanka’s culinary scene on the map. Rishi used this newfound fame to expand his business, and in 2017, he opened his second restaurant, Cheek Bistro, in Singapore.
Cheek Bistro
Cheek Bistro is a contemporary restaurant that serves up modern Australian cuisine with a Southeast Asian twist. The restaurant has earned critical acclaim and has been featured in several publications, including the Michelin Guide Singapore, which awarded it one Michelin star in 2019.
