Abhi’s and Aki’s Indian Restaurant.
Kumar came to Australia in 1985 to work. He opened his first restaurant, Abhi's, named after his first son, in 1990. Abhi's has since evolved into a near-legendary neighbourhood eatery, with a loyal local following. The more ambitious operation, Aki's, followed four years ago. This year, Abhi’s celebrates its 20th birthday as one of Sydney’s cult dining hotspots.
He delights in creating dishes that combine the best of local seafood and other produce with the flavours of his native Southern India - an approach that has already won him a dedicated following at his new location.
Cooking Indian food is a challenge. Achieving the correct mix of herbs and spices is akin to mastering a magic potion and overdoing just one ingredient is liable to produce disastrous results. Kumar Mahadevan offers us his delicious Indian cuisine in two fabulous locations: Abhi’s in North Strathfield and the more recent Aki’s in Woolloomooloo. Both restaurants are named after his sons, continuing a family connection that began many years ago when his taste for cooking first transpired in his mother’s kitchen in Madras as she taught him the family recipes.
Beginning his training at age 17 at India’s Institute of Hotel Management, Mahadevan went on to complete his apprenticeship the Taj Intercontinental Hotel in Bombay. He soon found himself in Australia heading up the kitchen at Mayur restaurant where he cooked for the likes of Prince Phillip and Mick Jagger. Abhi’s opened in 1990 with Aki’s following in late 2003.
Both restaurants showcase Kumar’s light, delicate flavours and fresh, aromatic spices in a modern interpretation of traditional Indian food, reflecting all regions of the country.
For the first Sydney International Food Festival (SIFF), Kumar was chosen by Joanna Savill, Director of SIFF, to represent the flavours and colours of Indian cuisine in the culinary event. He also brought to Sydney Chef Praveen Anand, acclaimed for his knowledge of Southern Indian cooking.
Kumar is often referred in Sydney’s dining circles as the guru or master of Indian cuisine.
