A chance to sharpens her cooking skills
Sri Lankan mother wins a once-in-a-life-time opportunity to train at one of Noosa's best restaurants
Community News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Community News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NOOSA Beach House recently hosted a special guest with a passion for cooking.
Diana Melonika hails from a town called Ponnanaruwa in north-central Sri Lanka and recently won Supreme Chef, a MasterChef-style competition.
An Australian Government initiative, Supreme Chef gave 500 home cooks from disadvantaged areas of Sri Lanka the chance to follow their food dream.
Noosa chef Peter Kuruvita was instrumental in the television series which granted the winner a residential training package at Noosa Beach House during May.
"Melonika had the most amazing time,” Kuruvita said.
"We have been teaching her how to be a chef in a modern environment but she has been teaching the chefs how to make a better curry.”
A mother of two young children, Melonika sacrificed being at home a lot to come on this journey which will change her life.
"I am very excited. I love to cook,” she said.
A bubbly and happy woman, Melonika said she loves cooking with fish and making cashew curry and she was grateful this learning experience.
"My dream is to open a restaurant.”
During her time in Noosa Melonika met celebrity chef Matt Preston during Noosa Food and Wine Festival. She also inspired a curry for Noosa Beach House's curry lunches which began again last month.
"Her special was the chicken,” Kurivita said.
"It's a beautiful dark and spicy curry.”
Melonika loved Noosa's climate and of course the beach.
"I love the sea and there are good people,” she said.
Kurivita said the Supreme Chef experience was heart-warming.
"This will make a huge difference to her life,” he said.
"Back home she was earning equivalent to $340 Australian a month.”
"When she goes back to Sri Lanka we have found a job for her in a restaurant. It will make such a difference to her.”
Originally published as A chance to sharpens her cooking skills
‘Big wraps on him’: Falcons Cyril Connell, Mal Meninga 2025 squad previews
Sunshine Coast Falcons Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga head coaches have revealed their 2025 aims, pre-season takeaways and key players to watch. Read the full preview.
Standout 15: Top junior and senior cricketers of the round
A number of rising stars made their mark in the latest round of Sunshine Coast cricket with a series of standout performances out in the middle. See which junior and senior players cracked our rankings!
‘So overwhelmed’: Local league talent earns Broncos contract
A Sunshine Coast rugby league talent has risen from local footy to signing with the Brisbane Broncos in just six months as she now turns her attention to cracking into the elite level. See what she and NRLW head coach Scott Prince had to say.
‘Victim of beach bullies, break-in’: MAFS’ star’s headline-making history
She’s now known as the “powerhouse in sexy curvy package” Qld bride cruelly matched with primary-school teacher-turned Married At First Sight villain groom Tim but it’s not the first-time an emotional Katie has been in the media spotlight.
Sunshine Coast Falcons reveal NRLW affiliation with Queensland powerhouse
The Sunshine Coast Falcons have landed a major partnership deal with a leading NRLW club that will offer female players a direct pathway to the elite level.
Hall eager to be back in the pool for cherished cause
Australian flag bearer and five time Paralympian Brenden Hall has reflected on his whirlwind Paris games as he uncovers his new found motivation for life in the pool.