Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday, 5 December 2025 02:39 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
In the glittering world of fine pastry and sugar artistry—where imagination meets microscopic precision—one name from Sri Lanka’s dry-zone heartland is now earning admiration across the United Kingdom: Pethum Tharuka Hettiarachchi.
Today, he is recognised as one of Britain’s most promising young sugarcraft artists. Yet his remarkable ascent began not in a world-class culinary academy or a polished professional kitchen, but in Thambuththegama, a rural village in the Anuradhapura district, where life was defined by simplicity, sacrifice, and resilience.
Humble beginnings, unshakable determination
Growing up as the son of a hardworking mushroom farmer, Pethum’s childhood was shaped by limited resources but limitless dreams. Opportunities in the culinary arts—especially in specialised fields like sugarcraft—were nearly non-existent in his region. But what he lacked in exposure, he made up for with natural artistic ability, curiosity, and relentless drive.
At Thambuththegama National College, he balanced academics with long daily commutes, household responsibilities, and the early stirrings of creativity. After his O/L examinations, determined to support his family and save for his future studies, while completing his A/Ls, he took on cash-in-hand work in catering, hotels, and outdoor events during after school hours—often performing fruit and vegetable carvings that revealed a talent far beyond his years.
These were challenging times, but they forged in him the qualities that would later define his artistry: discipline, humility, precision, and a refusal to give up.
Dream too big for the village—but not for him
In rural Sri Lanka, pursuing a career as a sugar artist is almost unimaginable. But while others saw impossibility, Pethum saw a path.
Entering the hospitality field with passion rather than privilege, while working he taught himself sugar flowers, chocolate sculpture, decorative pastry work, and artistic carving. His learning came not from expensive institutions but from trial, error, repetition, and sheer hunger to grow.
His philosophy was simple: “Art has no boundaries—not geography, not background, not wealth.”
Crossing oceans: Journey to United Kingdom
Leaving Sri Lanka was both the biggest decision and the greatest challenge of his life. Moving to the UK meant confronting fierce competition, cultural shifts, financial constraints, and the pressure of starting from nothing.
But Pethum did not step into the UK culinary world to merely participate— he came to excel.
Armed with only determination, discipline, and raw talent, he began entering some of the most demanding culinary competitions across the country.
What followed was a meteoric rise.
Rising to top—one medal at a time (2023–2025)
2023 – The Beginning: Triumphs in Sri Lanka
Pethum’s competitive journey began at the Culinary Art Food Expo Sri Lanka 2023, where he showcased early brilliance:
These victories laid the groundwork for his international ascent.
2024 – Stepping onto the global stage: United Kingdom
Cake International – Birmingham 2024
One of the world’s most prestigious sugarcraft showcases:
International Salon Culinaire – London 2024
Europe’s premier culinary platform for rising stars:
These results proved he was not merely adapting—he was excelling among Europe’s best.
2025 – Year of dominance across UK
International Salon Culinaire – London 2025
Among thousands of competitors from across Europe, Pethum earned honours that many seasoned professionals may never achieve in an entire career:
Judges praised his botanical realism, artistic balance, and “fine-art quality craftsmanship rarely seen in an artist so young.”
British Culinary Championships – 2025
British Sugarcraft Guild National Sugarcraft Show – 2025
Scottish Culinary Championships – Glasgow 2025
Cake International - Birmingham 2025
Across regions and disciplines, Pethum proved unstoppable.
A proven champion
From Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom, Pethum has earned:
For a young man from rural Thambuththegama, these achievements are nothing short of extraordinary.
His philosophy: Turning emotion into edible art
Pethum’s creations stand out not only for their technique, but for their heart.
“Every petal, every shape, every detail carries emotion. Edible art can speak to people, no matter where they come from.”
His work is a bridge—between his village roots and his global stage, between struggle and beauty, between the life he comes from and the life he is building.
A mentor, a leader, a role model
Today, Pethum is not only a decorated artist but a symbol of inspiration. He is:
A mentor to young chefs;
An active member of the:
A representative of Sri Lankan creativity on the global stage
A beacon of hope for rural youth who dream beyond their circumstances
His rise shows that greatness can emerge from the humblest of beginnings.
Future as bright as his sugar flowers
With every competition, every masterclass, and every new creation, Pethum continues to elevate Sri Lanka on the world culinary map. His story—rooted in hardship, shaped by discipline, lifted by talent—is a powerful reminder:
Greatness is not defined by where you start, but by how far you are willing to go.
For Pethum Tharuka Hettiarachchi, the world has only just begun to witness what he is capable of. The chapters ahead promise even more brilliance, more innovation, and more inspiration—crafted with the same passion that brought him this far.
