He’s the Mullumbimby chef who made it big in America, but after four years at the helm of West Hollywood’s hottest restaurant, the 33-year-old has announced he’s heading down under.

The Australian chef was raised on a 110-acre cattle farm in Mullumbimby before moving to Sydney at 19 to take on an apprenticeship with Martin Boetz at Longrain. Tikaram then went on to work at Bentley Restaurant + Bar with Brent Savage, before returning to Longrain as executive chef.

Since taking over the kitchen at E.P & L.P, the Chinese, Fijian and Vietnamese restaurant has shot to fame, attracting critical acclaim as well as a celebrity following, which includes A-listers like Justin Bieber, Ruby Rose, Usher and Stevie Wonder.

“To move to the USA and open a restaurant in West Hollywood was a dream come true though now four years on and the restaurant is the busiest it has ever been and the menu is continuing to develop and grow, it is almost a pinch yourself moment every time I walk into work,” says Tikaram.

After finishing up at E.P & L.P just weeks ago, Tikaram plans to head back to Australia with his wife Jorja, who is expecting their second daughter in August.

“Both my wife and I grew up in Mullumbimby on the far north coast of NSW, my career has taken us all over the world from Barcelona, The Hamptons, Whistler and now Los Angeles, though the grand plan has always been to raise a family in Mullumbimby,” he said.

While everyone back home are crossing their fingers for a new Australian restaurant, right now Tikaram is focused on helping his wife and spending time together as a family.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into the habit of having people over and also teaching my daughter Maelle some skills in the kitchen just as my grandmother and father did for me when I was young.”

Watch this space.