Sri Lanka (Commonwealth Union)_ A Sri Lankan-born Tamil chef has achieved international fame by winning a silver medal in a major culinary competition in Greece, a happy moment for both his hometown and the country he now represents. Chef Thanuraj “Thanu” Raviraj, who was born in Sri Lanka and now lives in Britain, competed in the Western European Fruits and Vegetable Carving Championship representing Italy. Known for his exceptional carving skills and artistic creativity, Chef Thanu impressed judges with his detailed work and technical precision during the competition.
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The event brought together talented chefs from 15 different countries, each showcasing their abilities in the delicate craft of fruit and vegetable carving. Amid strong competition, Chef Thanu stood out for the remarkable quality and creativity of his carvings. For his outstanding performance, he was awarded a Silver Medal along with the prestigious “Greece Culinary Professional” title. His achievement did not stop there. He also received a special recognition award for his personality and professionalism from ICU Honorary Member Danijela Pantic Vlahovic of Serbia.
The competition was judged by a respected international panel of culinary experts. Among them were Andy Cuthbert, President of the World Association of Chefs Societies (Worldchefs); Dimitris Kyriakopoulos, President of Culinary Professionals; George Damianou, Continental Director for Southern Europe; Roberto Beltramini, Chief Judge; and Christos Gkotsis, the Organizing Chairman of SECC 2026. Their evaluation highlighted the high standard of Chef Thanu’s work and recognized the significance of his achievement on the international culinary stage.
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Chef Thanu is widely known for transforming ordinary fruits and vegetables into extraordinary pieces of art. He has carved different types of designs: delicate flowers and lifelike human images to name a few. All of these demonstrate his dedication, great efforts, and years of experience in the fruit art. Chef Thanu is also a qualified professional in teaching fruit and vegetable carving through his Thanu Carving Academy. He teaches this art form to aspiring artists or people interested in pursuing their passion with fruit and vegetable carving. By providing hands-on training through practical workshops, Chef Thanu is continually inspiring generations of students through his teachings, which depict culture, beauty, and passion.
