In a small kitchen in Sri Lanka, Charith N. Silva started a YouTube channel that would eventually make history. Known as Wild Cookbook, Charith became the first Sri Lankan content creator to hit 10 million subscribers, a milestone celebrated in late March 2025. With over 4 billion views and 605 videos since 2020, his journey from cooking traditional Sri Lankan meals in the wilderness to becoming a global sensation is a testament to the power of authenticity, cultural pride, and YouTube’s global reach. Let’s explore how Wild Cookbook turned a love for food into a worldwide phenomenon.
Cooking in the Wild: A Unique Concept
Charith launched Wild Cookbook in 2020, at a time when the world was stuck indoors due to the pandemic. People were craving connection, adventure, and comfort—and Charith delivered all three. His concept was simple but captivating: he’d venture into the Sri Lankan wilderness, set up a makeshift kitchen with basic tools, and cook traditional meals using ingredients he foraged or brought along. Think fresh fish caught from a river, coconut milk straight from the tree, and spices ground on a stone, all cooked over an open fire.
What made Wild Cookbook stand out was its raw, unpolished charm. There were no fancy studio setups or high-tech gadgets—just Charith, nature, and the sounds of birds chirping or a river flowing in the background. His videos, often silent with only ambient sounds and occasional Sinhala narration, felt like a meditative escape. A post on X from March 28, 2025, announced his milestone: “Charith N. Silva, creator of Wild Cookbook, becomes the first Sri Lankan content creator to hit 10 million YouTube subscribers!” The post also noted his 4 billion views, a staggering number that reflects his global appeal.
Building a Global Audience Through Culture
One of Charith’s biggest strengths was his ability to showcase Sri Lankan culture in a way that felt universal. His recipes—like kottu roti, pol sambol, and fish curry—were deeply rooted in tradition, but the act of cooking in nature resonated with viewers worldwide. People from the U.S., India, Australia, and beyond were drawn to the simplicity and authenticity of his content. In a 2024 interview with a Sri Lankan news outlet, Charith shared, “I wanted to show the world how beautiful Sri Lankan food and nature are. I never imagined people from so far away would connect with it.”
YouTube’s algorithm played a big role in his growth. His videos, with their visually stunning shots of food sizzling over a fire and lush green landscapes, kept viewers watching for long periods—often 10 minutes or more. High watch time is a key factor in YouTube’s recommendation system, and Charith’s content was a perfect fit. By 2022, he was gaining hundreds of thousands of subscribers each month, and his videos regularly racked up millions of views.
Overcoming Challenges as a Creator
Charith’s journey wasn’t without hurdles. Filming in the wilderness meant dealing with unpredictable weather, insects, and the physical challenge of carrying equipment to remote locations. In one video, he laughed as a sudden rainstorm soaked him mid-cook, but he kept going, showing his resilience. Language was another barrier—while he occasionally spoke in Sinhala, most of his videos relied on visuals to tell the story, which turned out to be a blessing. The lack of narration made his content accessible to a global audience, proving that food and nature can be a universal language.
Another challenge was monetization. YouTube’s Partner Program requires 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months to start earning ad revenue, a threshold Charith crossed within his first year. But ad rates in Sri Lanka are lower than in countries like the U.S., so his early earnings were modest. To supplement his income, he started selling merchandise—like spice blends and cooking tools inspired by his videos—which became a hit with his fans.
Turning Views into a Legacy
By 2025, Wild Cookbook was more than just a YouTube channel—it was a cultural movement. Charith’s success inspired a wave of Sri Lankan creators to share their own stories, from traditional crafts to travel vlogs. He also used his platform for good, raising awareness about environmental conservation in Sri Lanka by highlighting sustainable cooking practices in his videos. In one popular video, he showed how to repurpose coconut shells into bowls, encouraging viewers to reduce waste.
Charith’s 10 million subscriber milestone, celebrated on March 28, 2025, marked a historic moment for Sri Lankan YouTube. Posts on X captured the excitement, with users calling it “a historic milestone for Sri Lankan YouTube.” But for Charith, the real reward is the community he’s built. In a video thanking his fans, he said, “This isn’t just my success—it’s ours. Thank you for cooking with me, learning with me, and loving Sri Lanka with me.”
Lessons from Wild Cookbook
Charith’s story offers powerful lessons for aspiring creators. First, authenticity matters. He didn’t try to mimic Western YouTubers or chase trends—he leaned into his culture and created something unique. Second, visuals can speak louder than words. His silent, nature-focused videos prove that you don’t need fancy narration to connect with a global audience. Finally, persistence pays off. Despite the challenges of filming in the wild, Charith kept going, and his dedication turned him into a pioneer for Sri Lankan content creators.
If you’re a beginner on YouTube, take a page from Wild Cookbook’s book: find what makes you unique, whether it’s your culture, your passion, or your environment, and share it with the world. You never know who might be watching—and loving—your story.