Tunki Ceviche & Woodfire Grill - A Testimonial
When Executive Chef Krish began planning Tunki at the Lakes Resort Hotel, he wasn’t just setting up another restaurant kitchen — he was creating something deeply personal. A space that would bring bold Peruvian and Japanese flavours to life. A kitchen that could meet the demands of high-volume service, without compromising on creativity or quality.
But the clock was ticking. With a hard deadline of Melbourne Cup 2023, every decision had to be strategic. That’s when Krish and the team at the Lakes Resort brought in Forward Creations.
Turning Ideas into a Fully Functioning Reality
“We came into contact with Forward Creations when we were designing the restaurant plans and figuring out what cuisine we were going to do,” Krish shared. “We had our deadlines, and they were amazing to work with. They’re problem solvers — and they got us ready in time.”
As the vision for Tunki evolved, so did the plans. Layouts were adjusted, workflows were fine-tuned, and key pieces of equipment were locked in. Forward Creations was there every step of the way, not only embracing the changes but offering expert advice and multiple solutions whenever challenges arose.
“They really understood our brief,” said Krish. “Instead of just coming up with one option for any issues, they always gave us more than one. Any problems we had — they had solutions.”
Designing Around the Josper Grill: The Heart of Tunki
At the centre of the kitchen was a bold choice — the Josper Grill. A hybrid charcoal oven that would become the signature engine of Tunki’s menu. It wasn’t the easiest piece of kit to accommodate, but Krish knew it was non-negotiable.
“That was one of the pieces I really needed in the kitchen,” he explained. “Chris helped me design the exhaust system needed to make it work. Forward Creations’ knowledge and experience is next to none.”
With deep industry know-how and a collaborative approach, the team made it happen — ensuring the Josper Grill wasn’t just installed, but optimised for safety, performance, and longevity.
A Kitchen Built to Last — and a Relationship That Did Too
Even after the job was “done,” Forward Creations didn’t just walk away. They stayed in touch, checked in, and made sure everything was working as it should.
“The relationship we’ve got with them now — they kept coming back, checking on us, making sure everything was still good for the business,” Krish said. “They’re super easy to work with, and just a great bunch of people.”
Standing in the finished space today, Krish couldn’t be prouder. “No words can describe the feeling of working in the Tunki kitchen,” he said. “Beautiful, amazing equipment, awesome stainless all around. I’m so proud and happy to be working in this amazing, beautiful kitchen that Forward Creations helped me create.”
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