Mearl Fernandes Mearl Fernandes or Lil' Chef as she is fondly called, is a Goan by birth. She took to cooking when she was 6 and says she owes her talent to her mother. Having travelled widely, she could sample diverse cuisines, which she often emulates or customises to suit her taste. www.lilchefsworld.com features her recipes and home remedies while her restaurant reviews can be found in my yelp.com.