Meet the chef - Sohail (Sam) Akhter
Meet the chef - Sohail (Sam) Akhter
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Chef Sohail (Sam) Akhter is an internationally trained chef with more than 20 years of global culinary experience across Pakistan, Bahrain, the United States, and Australia. He began his career at the Marriott Hotel Karachi, refined his pastry skills at the Continental Hotel Bahrain, and later worked in Texas restaurants before moving to Australia in 2007.
Now based in Melbourne, Sam brings his world-class expertise and passion for authentic flavours to Dil Awaiz Catering & Events. As Senior Chef at Uniting AgeWell Strathdon Community, he leads a talented kitchen team creating restaurant-quality meals with heart emphasising fresh ingredients, homemade stocks, and vibrant herbs that bring comfort and joy to every plate.
Through Dil Awaiz, Sam shares his culinary philosophy beyond aged care blending traditional South Asian BBQ, street-food favorites, and gourmet family recipes with a modern Australian twist. His dishes celebrate community, flavor, and connection inspired by his journey from international hotels to heartfelt home-style cooking.
From the lively food streets of Pakistan to Melbourne’s outdoor events, Sohail’s mission is simple bring people together through perfectly grilled food and unforgettable taste.
Inside the kitchen:
Inside the kitchen:
Dil Awaiz setup brings the open kitchen experience to you.
You’ll see the flames, smell the charcoal, and watch our chefs expertly turn skewers loaded with chicken tikka, beef seekh kebabs, lamb chops, and malai boti.
Everything is freshly prepared on-site, using locally sourced meats, hand-ground spices, and homemade chutneys.
We don’t just cook, we create an experience that’s interactive, visual, and flavor packed.
Behind every sizzling skewer and smoky aroma is a passionate team that brings traditional Pakistani flavors to life.
Behind every sizzling skewer and smoky aroma is a passionate team that brings traditional Pakistani flavors to life.
Our Cooking Process
Our Cooking Process
We follow the traditional Pakistani BBQ method, which focuses on freshness, patience, and precision:
Marination Magic – Each meat is marinated overnight in house-made spice blends, yoghurt, and lemon juice.
Charcoal Firing – The grill is lit early to achieve the ideal smoky temperature for even cooking.
Skewer Perfection – Chicken, beef, and lamb are threaded onto metal skewers for slow, consistent roasting.
Flame & Sizzle – The chef carefully turns each skewer until the outer layer crisps and caramelises while the inside stays tender.
Finishing Touches – Served hot off the grill with naan, paratha, mint chutney, fresh salad, and a squeeze of lemon.
By: Chef Sohail Akhter
Our Philosophy
We believe food tastes better when it’s made with passion, teamwork, and respect for tradition.
Every event we cater is treated like a family feast, lively, generous, and full of heart.
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