Kumar Mahadevan Biography 
Kumar Mahadevan is a successful chef and restaurateur in Australia of Indian origin. Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu is his native place and he was born into a traditional Hindu Brahmin family. He is credited to introducing Indian cuisines to Australians in the early 1990s. He is known as "Guru of Indian cuisine" in Sydney circle. Kumar has been featured in the reality cookery show, Master Chef Australia in Series 2 and 4, where he prepared Prawn Okra Curry in series 2. He mentored a team for preparing dishes for a traditional wedding in series 4. He has also received numerous awards and recognitions in Australia for his cooking skills.
He was born on 23 November 1959 in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. He was brought up in a traditional Hindu Brahmin joint family. His father was a steel merchant. He was introduced to the world of tastes by his mother. He was also influenced by his grandmother who was a great cook, and he taught him a few traditional dishes at the age of 8. Though he joined University of Madras to pursue his graduation, he had to discontinue his studies when his family got into financial troubles. Then he joined Madras Catering College on a scholarship to pursue his graduation, and had to convince his parents as well.
Kumar got a summer job at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai at the end of his first year. He graduated in 1979 and did his apprenticeship at the Taj itself. Though he got a high salaried job in Iraq he had to return back in 1984 following Iran-Iraq war. Kumar went to Australia in 1985. He joined Sorrentino cafe in Sydney's Circular Quay in 1989. In 1990 he opened ‘Abhi’ – a restaurant on Indian cuisine and marked the beginning of his successful career. Abhi is the name of his first son.
Published: N/A
Updated: June 26, 2016
