Chef
Mandy
Yin
Mandy Yin is Malaysian-born Chinese of Peranakan Nyonya heritage. She moved from Kuala Lumpur to London as a child and later became a corporate lawyer in the City. She eventually gave this up for a career in food. Her life goal is to showcase Malaysian food whilst being accessible to all. Spicy, powerful flavours are her calling card.
Mandy started off small with a street food stall in 2013 before pursuing her laksa bar as a pop up concept. She has steadily built a loyal following for her unique dishes, drawing on her food memories of growing up in Kuala Lumpur mixed in with her London favourites and travel inspirations.
After a series of sell-out runs for her pop up laksa bar across London, Mandy opened her flagship restaurant in Highbury, Islington in 2018 to critical acclaim for her signature Peranakan Nyonya curry laksa.
Sambal Shiok Laksa Bar has gone on to achieve cult, award-winning status – Ching He Huang’s Best Innovation Award and Timeout’s North London Best Loved Restaurant.
The first print of her debut book, Sambal Shiok: The Malaysian Cookbook sold out in less than two months of release in 2021 and was nominated for several food writing awards (Fortnum and Masons, Guild of Food Writers, Andre Simon). It is available worldwide.
Mandy is regularly featured in national and international press (The Guardian, National Geographic Traveller, Timeout) and TV (Saturday Kitchen, Masterchef: The Professionals).
Dinners
Dinner at The Sun House
Galle
Saturday 16th
Built in the 1860s, The Sun House, once a Scottish spice merchant’s home is now a charming colonial hotel with seven unique bedrooms offering a country house atmosphere and privacy. Renovated to preserve its colonial elegance, it features a central living area and tropical gardens. Guests experience the relaxed lifestyle of early tea planters with fine dining and sunset cocktails.
Masterclasses
Masterclass at Galle Fort
Masterclass Kitchen
Sunday 17th
Learn cooking secrets and tips from the masters in their field, as Mandy Yin guides you through a demonstration of a culinary masterclass. This is held in our masterclass kitchen in the UNESCO Galle Fort, a very intimate event where you meet the chef, can ask questions and taste morsels of delight. Take advantage of this outstanding talent being here in Sri Lanka, and improve your dinner party hosting skills, surprise friends and loved ones – you can become the kitchen goddess or god!