Chef Balaram Khatiwada
Chef Balaram Khatiwada is a Nepalese culinary professional based in Cyprus with more than 12 years of experience in professional kitchens. From beginning his journey as a Commis Chef to taking on kitchen leadership responsibilities, he has developed practical expertise in vegan, Indian, Continental and international cuisine. Every kitchen, challenge and service has contributed to the chef and person he is today.
The ChefLock was created from his desire to share the knowledge, challenges and lessons collected throughout that journey. With a special commitment to vegan and plant-forward cuisine, Chef Balaram envisions a platform where professional experience becomes practical guidance, vegetables are celebrated as complete culinary expressions, and chefs, students and home cooks can learn, connect and grow together.
A Journey Built Through Courage and Craft
Years before The ChefLock became a digital culinary platform, Chef Balaram Khatiwada’s journey began with determination, discipline and a passion for food. From Nepal to the professional kitchens of Cyprus, every new role brought unfamiliar challenges, greater responsibilities and valuable lessons. Rather than allowing those experiences to remain within one kitchen, he chose to transform them into knowledge that could inspire others. His journey is a reminder that where someone begins does not define how far their courage, craft and vision can take them.
Experience Worth Sharing
Years spent inside demanding professional kitchens taught Chef Balaram that culinary growth is built through discipline, consistency, teamwork and the courage to keep learning. He wanted the lessons earned through real experience to reach beyond the kitchen walls—helping others cook with greater knowledge, confidence and purpose.
The Unexpected Birth of CHEFLOCK
The name ChefLock was born during the COVID-19 pandemic through an unexpected moment of friendship. While connecting with people on Clubhouse, Chef Balaram became part of a group whose members used imaginative names such as Sherlock and Warlock. One friend playfully declared, “From today, you are ChefLock.” What began as a simple nickname gradually became his recognised identity. When his desire to share his culinary experiences found a purpose, ChefLock evolved from a Clubhouse name into The ChefLock—a platform carrying his knowledge, story and vision to the world.
A Vision Rooted in a Better Food Future
The ChefLock is more than a collection of recipes. It represents Chef Balaram’s commitment to elevating vegan and plant-forward cuisine, reducing food waste and making professional culinary knowledge accessible to everyone. His vision is to prove that food made with vegetables, grains, pulses, herbs and spices can be creative, complete and extraordinary—while building a global community that respects both culinary tradition and the future of our planet.