Former young chef of the year, Louis Tikaram, to return home

He had Los Angeles eating out of his hand and the international food world at his feet, but one of Australia's most successful food exports in recent years has turned down lucrative offers to return home.

Even if you don't know Louis Tikaram's name, you've possibly eaten the fruits of his work at Longrain, Tetsuya's or Bentley restaurants in Sydney.

But it has been at EP/LP – the Asian fusion rooftop restaurant and bar in West Hollywood – where he's become a pin-up and food celeb.

The good news is he has come home, but his choice of location will be more accessible for our northern readers.

Tikaram is headed to Stanley, a Chinese restaurant opening at the hot Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane.

The Howard Smith precinct is set to become the epicentre of the Australian restaurant industry next month, announced as the location for the 40th anniversary of the Good Food Guide Awards on September 30.

Tikaram, the Guide's 2014 Young Chef of the Year, will be reacquainted with his Sydney alumni. Jonathan Barthelmess (Apollo) and Patrick Friesen (ex Queen Chow) a couple of the chefs already encamped on the Brisbane waterfront.