Melbourne showcases food produce in Sri Lanka

From left: Victorian Government Business Office, South Asia Executive Director Megan Phelan, Australian High Commissioner, Sri Lanka Bryce Hutchesson and Chef Adam D’Sylva

The Australian High Commission, Colombo recently hosted a food and wine event to showcase Australia’s finest produce. Held at the Australian Residence, the reception had 150 guests dine on an exceptional menu prepared by celebrity chef, Adam D’Sylva, with Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson and Victorian Executive Director for South Asia Megan Phelan addressing guests on the occasion.

Award winning chef and owner of leading Melbourne restaurants Coda and Tonka, Chef Adam D’Sylva, presented the food promoters and importers of Sri Lanka with a specially curated menu. Victorian specialties like barramundi, exported by Mainstream, along with Victorian beef and duck preparations graced the dinner table. The event demonstrated the strong passion for food and wine between the two countries. 

Addressing the gathering, High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson emphasised the significant commercial opportunities in the food and beverage sector between the two countries and stressed the importance of working together to realise Sri Lanka’s economic potential. 

The State Government of Victoria sees great potential in Sri Lanka as a new and emerging market for trade. The function was organised to introduce Sri Lankan food promoters and importers to Australian premium agricultural produce including from Australia’s food and wine capital, Melbourne.  This was the perfect setting for growing opportunities for Victoria’s exceptional local produce of dairy, meat, grains, horticulture and wine exports in Sri Lanka.

“Victoria’s great gastronomic tradition stems from its high quality produce, robust food safety regimes, the skill and talent of our chefs. Sri Lanka with its increasing demand for quality products is a natural market for Victoria’s premium food and beverages. We look forward to strengthening our trade relations with Sri Lanka,” said Victorian Government Business Office, South Asia Executive Director Megan Phelan.

Australia’s leading agricultural state, Victoria, prides itself on being recognised as a secure, reliable and competitive producer of safe, quality, fresh and diverse food for the world stage. Melbourne is renowned for having the most number of restaurants and cafes per capita than anywhere else in the world and will be hosting the 2017 World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. It is uniquely positioned to supply out of season produce to the northern hemisphere trading partners due to the advantage of opposing seasons. Victoria’s biggest industries include grain, dairy, red meat, beverages (mainly wine), horticulture and other processed foods (cheese and other retail ready consumer products).

The Victorian Government supports a broad range of targeted in-market activities and is keen to promote its quality produce to Sri Lankans.