Randika Arachchige hails from the small suburb of Kirulapana in Colombo, Sri Lanka. With a restaurateur mother, a renowned celebrity chef father and a grandfather who also made his name in the culinary world, it’s easy to see why cooking is in his blood.

Randika moved from Sri Lanka to England around 10 years ago, living and working in a local pub in Hertfordshire, 40 kms north of London. His desire to work in Australia along with the long cold English winters that saw him find a local agency who would introduce him to TSS Immigration.

“The agency in England introduced me to TSS and I am so thankful they did”, says Randika.

“I had dealt with so many different agencies but TSS were the most knowledgeable and professional I had experienced. Tammie and Lauren were so efficient and every time I needed them, they were there for me.”

Only three months after his first TSS interview, Randika was offered a role as Head Chef with the ALH Group at the Parap Tavern in Darwin with his visa approved only four weeks later.

“I just could not believe how fast it all happened. After speaking with TSS in November 2015 to be in the kitchen by April the following year was so much faster than I ever expected. Everything TSS promised, they delivered and I am really loving it”.

Now settled in Darwin with his wife and 5 year old son, things could not be better.

“The first few weeks were tough given the enormous change in environment but ALH helped me enormously. They taught me everything I needed for my work and were so patient.”

“They provided accommodation for our arrival before helping us source our own apartment and a school for our son. Within a few weeks my wife found her own job so life is just great for us now”.

Life in Darwin so far has been kind to Randika and his family. When not at work he spends time with his family and socialising with work colleagues. He recently visited Melbourne for two weeks – his first trip to a major Australian city.

“We loved Melbourne but it was a little too busy for us. There were people everywhere and I couldn’t keep up. Melbourne is so beautiful but I do prefer smaller towns so Darwin is just perfect” he says.

Randika has now been in Australia for twelve months and has only big plans for the future with PR and his own restaurant firmly in his sights.“

My next plan is to apply for Permanent Residency and hopefully sometime in the future I will open my own restaurant. That is several years away but I hope to one day achieve that in Australia.”

“I am very much looking forward to what the future holds for us.”