Meet the talented and dynamic young chef, Mythrayie Iyer, hailing from India. She’s set to represent the Africa, Middle East, and South Asia region at the prestigious Grand Finale of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy competition for 2022-23.
Since her awe-inspiring performance before the local jury back in January, Mythrayie’s life has been a whirlwind of activity. Beyond her culinary duties at the Farmlore restaurant in Bengaluru, India, she’s embarked on a journey of exploration, research, practice, and learning to further enrich her culinary expertise. Mythrayie is gearing up to present her exceptional dish to the illustrious “Seven Sages” grand jury, consisting of renowned figures in the international culinary world: Pía León, Hélène Darroze, Vicky Lau, Nancy Silverton, Eneko Atxa, Riccardo Camanini, and Julien Royer.
Mythrayie’s signature creation, titled “Barter,” pays tribute to the evolution of Indian cuisine, tracing its development from the 15th century onward during the age of exploration. She explains, “Since the regional finals, I’ve traveled to Lisbon, Portugal, to gain deeper insights for the grand finale and to delve into the global exchange of ingredients, which is the inspiration behind my dish. Lisbon serves as the port of origin from where Vasco da Gama’s ships sailed to India.”
Her culinary masterpiece serves as both a meditation and a historical journey through the concept of cuisine. She muses, “It encourages contemplation about what defines a country’s cuisine.” Her dish is divided into two parts. One part exclusively features indigenous ingredients, showcasing what Indian cuisine looked like before the establishment of trade routes and the influx of foreign ingredients. The other part demonstrates the transformation of Indian cuisine with the introduction of spices and vegetables from other parts of the world.
In essence, Mythrayie’s creation embodies the philosophy of Farmlore, where she serves as the head chef alongside chef patron Johnson Ebenezer, who also mentors her for the competition. The restaurant, situated on a 37-acre farm, sources most of its produce locally and maintains a constantly evolving menu based on seasonal ingredients from the farm. Mythrayie shares, “We are exploring and rediscovering locavore traditions, cultures, and our connection to Mother Earth. Our journey begins by sourcing produce from nearby sustainable vendors. We’re gradually working toward complete self-sustainability, powered by solar panels and cooking with wood from our own farm.”
As the final stage of the competition approaches, Mythrayie will continue to refine her dish and perfect her techniques. She remarks, “It’s been an ongoing process since the regional finals – from discussions with plate artists to extensive research on the concept, travel to Portugal, and, of course, countless hours in the kitchen.” Throughout this journey, she’s had unwavering support from her mentor.
Collaborating with chef Johnson at the restaurant over the past four years naturally led Mythrayie to regard him as a mentor. She reflects, “We discussed this concept a few years ago during a conversation, and it’s wonderful to see it materialize on a plate. He always maintains a calm demeanor, reminding me to enjoy the journey, give my best effort, and view it as an opportunity leading to many more in the future.”
Mythrayie is among the two talented female chefs out of the 15 finalists vying for the coveted title of S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy winner on a global scale. When asked about being a trailblazer for young female chefs, she states, “It’s certainly an honor to have that additional spotlight, but in all honesty, I firmly believe there’s no gender divide in the culinary profession. A chef’s ability to excel depends on their personal determination and resilience, regardless of gender.”
For young female chefs starting their journey and contemplating entering next year’s competition, Mythrayie offers this advice: “Stay focused on honing your skills in the kitchen and discard the notion that your abilities are limited by your gender.”
The South African team and Sanpellegrino extend their best wishes to Mythrayie as she prepares for the final chapter of this prestigious competition.
