He cooks up wild, wonderful, ‘chaotic’ dishes that are not only visually pleasing but has everyone licking their plates clean. His cooking reflects his identity as a person linked by the various ethnicities which make up Sri Lanka.
From flavourful biriyani to ImbulKiribath (sweet variation of milk rice), Christmas Pudding and Bombay Halwa, he links cultural identity with tradition and gives it a modern twist. His unique style of presentation caught on and has now become a trend. Renowned YouTube content creator Charith N Silva, better known as the face behind ‘Wild Cookbook’, talks about a journey of food, flavours and fusion in this interview with us.
The 28-year-old celebrity chef and entrepreneur who recently passed the milestone of earning more than 10 million subscribers, becoming the largest YouTube channel of Sri Lankan origin with more than 600 videos, also made it to the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2025 list in the Arts (Art & Style, Food & Drink) category. He was acknowledged among a new generation of Asian culinary designers and innovators who are fusing regional traditions with international trends. His inventive culinary videos, which are well-known for showcasing him cooking outside, have not only distinguished him in the worldwide digital content market but have also revolutionized digital food storytelling in Sri Lanka.
“Honestly, it’s something I have never imagined! I see it as a once in a lifetime achievement. I’m really happy about this achievement because I never thought I’d ever be featured in Forbes,” he shared his thoughts enthusiastically about his recent culinary achievement.
Like many, he started from humble beginnings. He launched his journey via social media on YouTube first with a video featuring him gathering his ingredients and then preparing manioc roti outdoors. This was at the end of 2020 and amid the pandemic. With lockdowns and curfews, he was forced to stay at home. This was when his interest diverted to TikTok as it was one of the fastest-growing media platforms. He saw the potential to attract an international audience through this sector.
“My first job was in the culinary field. I absolutely love and deeply respect this profession. So I thought, why not take what I love and bring it into social media? That’s how I chose to merge culinary arts with social media,” he explained.
His efforts paid off as Charith, in his own inimitable style, captured the attention of the masses. It has been a challenging journey but all his efforts have paid off. He is a star in social media platforms related to culinary arts and practically everyone in Sri Lanka knows and have watched his videos.
“I started with the goal of somehow reaching 100,000 subscribers on YouTube. After going viral, I realised I needed to do something in a way no one in Sri Lanka had done before. That’s when I really put in the hard work to reach 10 million subscribers, and now, that effort truly feels worth it. From the day I uploaded that first creative video as content on social media until now, the whole journey has been a challenge. However I have loved each and every moment of it as it made me who I am today,” he said.
He notes that he believes that his success comes from being able to do the correct thing – the correct way, and always staying humble. He says that watching guests enjoy the food he has made with so much effort and passion, and truly loving it is such a rewarding experience.
“I think the most unique creation I have come up with was a mocktail made with aloe vera and Sri Lankan sweet oranges. It is a special recipe with a twist and a uniquely presented video. This garnered the highest number of views,” he pointed out.
He has gotten fans and feedback from viewers across the world. It was not only a journey which reached the global audience but one which has taken him to many places across the world.
“I love travelling. The countries I have visited have different cultures and unique cuisines. I gained a lot of knowledge about various food types through those tours. They have helped my triste with the culinary arts grow,” he said.
He notes that though he has many favourite recipes, jollof rice, a West African delicacy, is probably a favourite. His all-time favourite video is the one about making fufu from scratch. This extends from harvesting cassava to tasting the dish. He also launched his own restaurant ‘Wildish’ last year.
“Looking ahead, I plan to expand my restaurant. In addition, an exciting new product range will soon be launched under my brand, further strengthening its presence in the market,” he spoke of his future plans.
His advice to youth is to engage in worthy causes.
“Don’t postpone anything for tomorrow. When they say “tomorrow is the best time,” what they really mean is “now.” So now is the best time to start anything. Wishing everyone the very best!” he added with a smile.
