By Leigh O’Connor.
Minoli De Silva’s story begins in the warm, spice-laden kitchens of Sri Lanka - where the scent of curry leaves and cinnamon lingered in the air and food was more than a meal; it was a love language. She grew up surrounded by colour, laughter and dishes that told stories - the kind of food that carries memory in every bite.
When Minoli was six, her family moved to Melbourne. The cool air and unfamiliar flavours of her new home stood in contrast to the tropical warmth she’d left behind. Yet her mother’s curries and sambals remained the heartbeat of the house - a link to her heritage that would quietly shape her future. Even as she explored new cultures and cuisines, those Sri Lankan roots never loosened their hold.
At first, Minoli followed a very different path. She studied engineering - a world of precision, logic and structure - but her heart was always drawn back to the kitchen. Cooking was where she felt free.
Then, in her early thirties, life shifted dramatically when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Treatment was gruelling, and at one point she lost her sense of taste completely. For someone whose life revolved around flavour, it was devastating.
Yet that loss became her turning point. When her taste returned, it was as if the world had colour again - brighter, sharper, more alive. Food became her way of celebrating that second chance at life.
Her courage, warmth and undeniable talent eventually brought her to the national stage when she appeared on MasterChef Australia. Viewers were captivated by her authenticity and the way she spoke through food - each dish a story of heritage, resilience and creativity. It was clear that Minoli wasn’t just cooking; she was sharing herself.
That sense of openness and adventure carried her north to Darwin, a city that immediately resonated with her. She fell in love with its tropical pulse, its people and its sense of possibility. There, in 2022, she opened Ella by Minoli, an intimate laneway restaurant that captures the essence of who she is - grounded in Sri Lankan flavours, yet joyfully inspired by the diversity of the Northern Territory.
Ella feels like a secret - warm light spilling through the doorway, laughter echoing from the open kitchen. The menu is a love letter to Sri Lanka, written with Modern Australian flair. Dishes might pair native ingredients with island spices, or turn humble memories into something bold and beautiful. One bite can transport you from Darwin’s heat to the streets of Colombo, then back again with a twist of surprise.
Minoli’s cooking is guided by emotion. She talks about food as connection - to the land, to the people who grow and harvest, to the diners who trust her to tell a story. Her plates are alive with colour and contrast, her flavours layered with heart and history. Yet, for all her artistry, she remains approachable, genuine and full of laughter.
Dining at Ella by Minoli isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that lingers. It’s an invitation to taste her journey - the flavours of childhood, the trials that forged her strength and the freedom she’s found in her own creativity. Every dish is a celebration of courage and joy, proof that food can carry not only flavour, but also spirit.
