Sri Lankan pastry Chef earns Worldchefs Master Pastry Chef recognition
After more than 25 years in professional kitchens across Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Saudi Arabia, Sri Lankan pastry Chef Janaka Ranjith Kumara, widely known as Chef Janaka, has added another milestone to his distinguished career by earning the Worldchefs Certified Master Pastry Chef credential in 2026. The internationally recognised certification follows his Worldchefs Certified Pastry Chef qualification awarded in 2024 and reflects years of continuous professional development in one of the culinary industry’s most specialised disciplines.
For Chef Janaka, the recognition represents the culmination of a career built on technical precision, creativity and an unwavering commitment to pastry craftsmanship. Widely recognised for his expertise in chocolate artistry, sugar work and contemporary plated desserts, he has developed a distinctive style that blends classical French pastry techniques with modern presentation, producing creations that balance flavour, texture and visual appeal.
His professional journey began in Sri Lanka before taking him to some of the Indian Ocean’s leading luxury hospitality destinations. Over the years, Chef Janaka progressed through senior pastry positions at internationally recognised properties including Constance Halaveli Maldives, Anantara Resorts, Kurumba Maldives, Sheraton Maldives, Veligandu Island Resort and Amilla Maldives Resort & Residences. Today, he serves as Executive Pastry Chef at CATRION Catering Company in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where he leads pastry operations, oversees menu development and quality assurance, and mentors culinary teams in one of the region’s largest catering organisations.
Alongside his executive responsibilities, Chef Janaka has remained an active competitor on the international culinary stage, earning medals at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany, the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg, the HORECA Exhibition & Culinary Challenge, and the Food & Hospitality Asia Maldives International Culinary Challenge.
Beyond competitions and professional accolades, Chef Janaka remains passionate about developing the next generation of pastry professionals. Through mentoring and training, he hopes to inspire young chefs to combine technical excellence with creativity while embracing international standards and lifelong learning. His long-term vision is to establish a world-class pastry academy that equips aspiring chefs with the skills, discipline and global exposure needed to compete at the highest level.
As the global pastry industry continues to evolve through innovation, sustainability and changing consumer expectations, Chef Janaka believes craftsmanship remains at the heart of the profession. “Every dessert tells a story, and every chocolate creation is a masterpiece crafted with passion,” he says a philosophy that has shaped a career spanning more than two decades and continues to showcase Sri Lankan culinary talent on the international stage.
