After taste of ‘the brainy tongue’, Canberra chef heads to Azurmendi

After garnering years of experience working with leading celebrity chefs in Australia like Paul West (River Cottage), Adam Liaw (MasterChef), and Matthew Evans (Gourmet Farmer-SBS), Canberra chef Anshul Chandna is heading to Basque country to work at the three-Michelin starred Azurmendi.

Chandna, who shot to fame through the ‘Meet the Chef’ dinner events, which he was part of in his role as Executive Chef, University House at Australian National University in Canberra, says it was interacting with the various chefs that inspired him to chase his dreams.

Recently, he also completed a project known as The Brainy Tongue—a collaboration between the world’s top chefs and scientists, including Janice Wong and Heston Blumenthal.

“The Brainy Tongue Project explores the conceptual knowledge and understanding of food perception, through interactive seminars and experiments,” says Chandna, who migrated to Australia in 2007.

Finally, in mid-September, says Chandna, he ended up hearing from chef Eneko Atxa inviting him to come and work in his restaurant for the 2017 season.

Atxa runs Azurmendi in Larrabetzu just outside Bilbao, and has three Michelin stars and is ranked number 16 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

“It’s a chef’s dream come true,” he says, but adds he plans to return to Canberra.

“I plan to work with Eneko and hope to change my entire culinary vision by the time I come back to Canberra,” says Chandna, and adds that writing a book is also in the pipeline.

Support Independent Community Journalism

Dear Reader,

The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.

We operate independently.

Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.

When you support The Indian Sun, you support:

• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers

We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.

If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.

Please consider making a contribution today.

Thank you for your support.

The Indian Sun Team