Saju Rajappan left the Canberra scene for four years to work in Vietnam for the Rosewood Hotel Group, poached by the company's general manager Henrik Iversen.

Henrik used to work with Saju as the Hyatt's director of food and beverage when it catered for outside venues including Parliament House and the Axis restaurant at the National Museum.

Saju has returned to Canberra and is now executive chef at the Hotel Kurrajong Canberra, which has been extensively revamped as part of its 90th anniversary celebrations.

"It's part of history and I'm very proud to be associated with it," he said.

While Saju was in Vietnam, he also appeared on the local version of Iron Chef, as a celebrity judge.

"But I'm no celebrity, just a humble chef," he said.

Since May, he's been working his magic at the Hotel Kurrajong, including on a whisky-inspired menu to coincide with the opening of its Chifley's Whisky Bar next month.

The set whisky menu, which continues in Chifley's Bar and Grill throughout August, uses whisky in the cooking or as an accompaniment.

Whisky was apparently the favourite tipple of the 16th prime minister, Ben Chifley, who famously lived and died at the Hotel Kurrajong. His suite is among those that has been restored and is available for guest bookings.

The hotel consulted a whisky expert from Melbourne to curate the new menu of special blend whiskies from around the world. The feature cocktail, Benny's Double, comprises Johnny Walker's celebration whisky, Gold Label Reserve, with Luxardo maraschino liqueur, orange bitters and 23 carat gold leaf.

The bar is ably managed by Isaac Brown, 19, who is also studying law and economics at ANU.