About Us

Hello! I’m Chef Aswin, and my passion for cooking began at a young age, inspired by my father—a beloved and talented cook in our hometown. As a child, I would accompany him to catering events, soaking in the sights, aromas, and joy of feeding people. Those early memories became the foundation of my culinary journey.

To honor his legacy, I pursued and earned a certification in Restaurant Management, combining tradition with professional training.

Life then took me on a different path—I followed my dream of becoming an Aeronautical Engineer in Ukraine. But fate had other plans. The war forced me to relocate, and I traveled across Europe before finding a new home in Finland.

Here, I joined The Indian Ravintola, a family-owned restaurant that welcomed me warmly and reignited my dream of running my own kitchen. With their encouragement and support, I now proudly present Masala Panda—a vibrant culinary destination where flavors, cultures, and heartfelt stories come together on every plate.

I speak English, Malayalam, Tamil, Russian, and a little Finnish—but above all, my food speaks the universal language of love and flavor.

Follow me for recipes, cooking tips, and travel videos as I continue exploring global tastes and sharing my culinary journey from my heart to your table.

Just call me Chef Aswin – and let’s cook up unforgettable moments together!