Meet the Head Chef at Omboo: Kasun Jayasooriya
At Omboo at Sopwell House, bold Pan-Asian flavours meet refined Japanese technique under the leadership of Head Chef Kasun Jayasooriya.
An award-winning Japanese cuisine specialist with more than 15 years of experience, Kasun’s culinary journey began at the age of 17. After being introduced to Japanese cuisine by his sister in Sri Lanka, he developed an immediate fascination with its balance, precision and depth of flavour. That early inspiration led him to move to Japan, where he completed a BA in Culinary Art and trained within Tokyo’s dynamic food scene.
Throughout his career, Kasun has built a reputation for combining cultural authenticity with strategic leadership. In Japan, he was part of a team at Ichimonji, in Japan, that achieved two Michelin stars. In the UK, he earned an AA Rosette for Mizu Pan-Asian Restaurant at Lodore Falls Hotel, and within eight months of opening, won the Golden Chopsticks Award as a newcomer and received a nomnation for the Lancashire Awards.
His experience includes founding UMI Pan Asian Kitchen in Gloucester, directing culinary operations at Soho Farmhouse and leading two flagship launches for The Ivy Asia. Each role has reinforced his ability to deliver high-end, culturally grounded Pan-Asian dining experiences while driving operational excellence.
At Omboo, Kasun leads menu development, supplier partnerships, team training and kitchen operations. His focus is on authentic Japanese techniques infused with modern Pan-Asian influences, resulting in vibrant, artfully presented sharing plates.
When asked to describe his cooking style in three words, he chooses refined, bold and disciplined.
Guests dining at Omboo can expect bold flavours, authenticity and a memorable experience designed to linger long after the meal has finished.
Looking ahead, Kasun’s ambition is to help elevate Sopwell House to a five-star standard and to guide Omboo towards achieving three Rosettes.