Colombo Kitchen’s Sylvia Perera named Culinary Innovator of the Year at Asian Who’s Who Awards 2026

Sylvia Perera, founder and Executive Chef of Colombo Kitchen, received the Culinary Innovator of the Year Award at the Asian Who’s Who Awards 2026, held at The Savoy on May 30. The honor celebrates her influence in introducing authentic Sri Lankan cuisine to the UK through her restaurants in Worcester Park and Putney. Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Kurana near Negombo, Perera developed her culinary skills through family traditions before moving to the UK in 1984. She later trained in Australia and launched her career with a catering business, eventually bringing Sri Lankan street food to London audiences via her Kottu Kart stall in Piccadilly. In 2019, at age 60, Perera opened Colombo Kitchen’s first location in Worcester Park, followed by a second in Putney in 2024. The restaurants specialize in dishes like hoppers, kottu roti, Jaffna crab curry, and her award-winning lamprais, blending heritage flavors with contemporary presentation. The award follows recent industry recognition, including Perera’s titles as National Chef of the Year and Surrey Chef of the Year at the 2024 Asian Restaurant and Takeaway Awards. Colombo Kitchen has also earned multiple accolades for its restaurants. Perera described the honor as unexpected, emphasizing her mission to share Sri Lankan food, traditions, and hospitality. She credited her family, team, and guests for supporting the business’s growth, which remains rooted in authenticity and community. Colombo Kitchen’s success reflects its commitment to traditional cooking methods and warm hospitality, solidifying Perera’s role in expanding Sri Lankan cuisine’s presence in the UK.