One of Yorkshire’s most celebrated chefs will take centre stage at this year’s North Leeds Food and Drink Festival. On Saturday 10th May, Chef Ajith Kumar will give a live cooking demonstration as part of the event’s Cookery Theatre, hosted by Yorkshire Food Guide.
Ajith Kumar is the award-winning chef behind Tharavadu, a critically acclaimed Indian restaurant in Leeds, and UYARE, Europe’s first rooftop Keralan dining experience. With a career spanning more than 25 years, he has cooked for celebrities including Rebel Wilson, Danny Dyer, Simon Pegg and The Brownlee Brothers. His cooking has received praise from food critics such as Jay Rayner, who said dishes at Tharavadu would “make you profoundly happy.”
Festivalgoers will be able to watch Chef Ajith’s demonstration at no extra cost beyond the standard entry ticket price of £10.95. His session will offer insight into the dishes, ingredients and techniques that define his South Indian style.
“For me, food is storytelling,” said Chef Ajith. “Every dish has a memory, a tradition, a purpose. I’m proud to bring the rich flavours of Kerala to Yorkshire and share a piece of my heritage with the people who have embraced it so warmly.”
During the demonstration, Ajith will share recipes and stories from his upbringing and career, offering a rare chance to see one of the UK’s top chefs cook live. Visitors can expect interactive moments, behind-the-scenes insight, and the bold, authentic flavours that have earned him national recognition.
Tharavadu opened in Leeds in 2014 and quickly gained a strong following, earning multiple awards, including Independent Business of the Year at the 2024 Yorkshire Choice Awards. His latest venture, UYARE, continues to draw attention for bringing a new perspective to traditional South Indian food.
Jonathan Harris, Co-founder and Director of Yorkshire Food Guide, said: “Every year we bring the best chefs in the area to The Cookery Theatre, to give a live production of their favourite dishes or recipes, and we’re particularly excited to invite Ajith back to North Leeds. He’s not only one of the most renowned chefs in Yorkshire, but the UK, with Tharavadu – and more recently UYARE – frequently securing awards. We can’t wait to see what he brings to Roundhay.”
The North Leeds Food and Drink Festival will also feature street food, live music, independent bars, artisan markets and family-friendly entertainment.
Tickets are on sale now. Entry is £10.95, with full access to all live chef demos included.
