Chef Lifni Kalikutty trained in kitchens across Toronto, including Cluny, Rosalinda, and Superfly, before focusing on Italian cuisine at Ascari, Giulietta, and Osteria Giulia. He also spent time at The Wood Owl and led the food program for the Distillery District Christmas Market, building experience in both refined and high-volume settings. As opening sous chef of Contrada and now executive chef, Lifni helped shape the restaurant’s identity before returning to lead the kitchen. His cooking balances the simplicity of Italian cuisine with the bold, layered flavours of his Sri Lankan heritage, focused, expressive, and grounded in depth and restraint.