Tharshan Selvarajah
Tharshan Selvarajah (born 1986) is a Sri Lankan chef known for baking baguettes.[1] He was adjudged as the winner of Grand Prize of the Traditional French Baguette after taking part in a competition conducted by Paris City Hall.[2]
Biography[edit]
Selvarajah moved to France from Sri Lanka in 2006, and began his culinary career at an Italian restaurant making salads and desserts.[3] Through one of his regular customers at the said Italian restaurant, he received a golden opportunity in the form of a job making bread, even though he initially did not have any idea over baguettes. He gradually learnt the art of making baguettes and he went onto become a chief baker in 2012.[3]
In 2018, he participated in the Grand Prix de la Baguette de Tradition Francaise de la Ville De Paris, a competition for the title of "best baguette," where Selvarajah attained third place.[4] On May 10, 2023, he won the competition whereas he was conferred with the best Parisian baguette in 2023 after edging out 126 other baguettes. He currently supplies baguettes to the Élysée Palace, the official home of the French president.[5]
Selvarajah married his wife in France, and has two children.[3] According to sources, he is yet to apply for the French citizenship although he has been residing in France for over 17 years.
In May 2024, he was officially selected as a torchbearer for the 2024 Summer Olympics and he became the first Sri Lankan origin to receive the honor of being chosen as torchbearer for an Olympic event.[6][7][8][9]
References[edit]
- ^ Compton, Natalie B. (2023-05-12). "Paris crowns its best baguette". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ "Meet Tharshan Selvarajah, Sri Lankan-Origin Baker And Winner Of Best Baguette In Paris". CNBCTV18. 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ a b c Cohen, Roger (29 September 2023). "A Sri Lankan Baker's Baguette Conquers France". The New York Times.
- ^ "Meet Tharshan Selvarajah, Sri Lankan-Origin Baker And Winner Of Best Baguette In Paris". CNBCTV18. 2023-05-13. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ Briscoe, Oliver (2023-05-16). "He makes the best baguette in Paris, but he's not from France". CNN. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ "From Sri Lanka to Paris: Baker Tharshan Selvarajah to carry Olympic torch". Latest in the News Sphere | The Morning. 2024-05-10. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "Sri Lankan-born baker Tharshan Selvarajah to carry Olympic torch in France". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "Tharshan Selvarajah makes history as first Sri Lankan to carry Olympic torch - Breaking News | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
- ^ "Perspective - 'I'm very lucky,' says award-winning baker and Olympic torch bearer Tharshan Selvarajah". France 24. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-18.
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