Ruwanmali Samarakoon-Amunugama
While growing up, Ruwan learned about her grandmother’s way of cooking, which was typical to her hometown of Kandy, Sri Lanka, from her mother, who exposed her to many ingredients and techniques. Her passion for cooking is inspired by her family’s history in farming and gardening. Ruwan’s maternal grandfather and uncles worked as agricultural and botanical curators on estates and parks in Sri Lanka’s highlands (in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya) and her paternal grandfather owned many fruit, rice, and coconut estates throughout Kandy. Her knowledge of South Asian foods and ingredients has been enhanced by her travels to various parts of Asia and numerous trips to Sri Lanka. Raised in Canada and now residing in Washington State USA, Ruwan has extended Sri Lankan family in Australia. She shares her love of her heritage, food, and travel with her husband and daughter. She is the author of Milk, Spice & Curry Leaves.