Serendib Leisure chefs steal the show at ‘Culinary Art 2011’

Serendib Leisure Hotels walked away with a host of prestigious awards at ‘Culinary Art 2011,’ held from 29 July to 1 August 2011 in Colombo.

Serendib Group hotels – Club Hotel Dolphin, Hotel Sigiriya and Kani Lanka Resort & Spa – won a plethora of medals for culinary excellence at the event, reinforcing the reputation of Serendib hotels for their epicurean delights.

‘Culinary Art’ is a unique trade show that showcases the best of food and hospitality talent in Sri Lanka and culminates in recognising and awarding medals to the most talented chefs competing in the show. A premier meeting place for culinary artists, the show also serves as a competitive professional platform for chefs to pit their talents against each other.

The competition is a regular event organised by the Chef’s Guild of Sri Lanka, where competitors are judged by an internationally recognised panel of judges, both from Sri Lanka and overseas

Ranil de Silva of Serendib Leisure Hotel Management, commenting on the extraordinary performance of the group’s culinary staff, said: “We are extremely proud of each and every award winner at the recently-concluded ‘Culinary Art 2011’ and commend every participant in the team for their hard work and exceptional display of skills. At a time when Sri Lanka is poised to elevate and expand its tourism offering to the world, this competition helps to raise the bar in culinary perfection and offers all participants and visitors an opportunity to glimpse the intricacy of the craft.”

“Serendib Leisure is uncompromising in its pursuit of perfection in every aspect of its tourism offering, be it our delectable cuisine, sterling accommodation, world-class service or unrivalled ambience. By winning premier awards from amongst talented peers, our chefs have proved their mettle and added a new dimension to the many reasons why Serendib Leisure hotels remain the most sought after destination by local and foreign holidaymakers,” he added.

Chefs from Club Hotel Dolphin won the maximum number of awards at the show, walking away with three Gold awards in the Arrack, Apprentice and Ice Carving categories; 14 Silver awards in Sri Lankan cooking, Butter Carving, Artist Pastry Show, Apprentice, Vegetable Carving, Arrack, Wedding Cake and Sun Quick categories; and 17 Bronze awards in Five Course, Hot Cooking, Plated Appetiser, Artist Pastry Show, Salt Carving, Ice Carving, Dress the Cake, Apprentice and Sun Quick categories.

The 43-year-old A.A.A.N. Atampola Arachci, who won the Silver medal for Creative Arrack Cocktail and one Silver medal, commenced his career as a Steward at Club Hotel Dolphin in 1992, rising fast through his desire to acquire new skills, and now works as a Barman at the hotel. He has won several awards in the past as well.

The 21-year-old H.S. Danushka Fernando, who won a Gold Medal in the Live Cooking Dessert – Apprentice Category, shows great promise at a young age and will no doubt win many more accolades in the years ahead for the hotel.

The Dolphin’s Kitchen Artist Chaminda P. Weerappulige, 33 years, who won one Gold Medal for Ice Carving, two Silver Medals for Salt Dough Carving and Vegetable Carving and one Bronze Medal for Pastry Showpiece, has won several such awards in the Gulf as well and is fairly well travelled in pursuit of perfecting his art.

Hotel Sigiriya was awarded one Gold award for Arrack Cocktail; four Silver medals for Butter Carving, Hot Cooking Live, Vegetable Carving and Arrack Cocktail categories; and six Bronze medals for Ice Carving, Five Course Set Menu, Live Hot Cooking, Vegetable Carving, Bear Cocktail and Mocktail categories.

The 26-year-old P. Wickramasingha from Matale is the Gold medal winning chef from Hotel Sigiriya, who joined the hotel as a Trainee Steward in September 2005 and currently works there in the capacity of Barman. A permanent employee of the hotel, he has won several awards and medals at regional bartending competitions.

Further, Kani Lanka Resort & Spa was awarded one Bronze medal in the Live Cooking – Meat/Poultry category as well.

The Serendib Leisure group of hotels have already gained widespread acclaim for their eco-friendly tourism practices, with Hotel Sigiriya, which is situated at the base of the UNESCO World Heritage site, Sigiriya Rock, winning the majority of the group’s ‘green’ awards.

Serendib’s beach front properties, Club Hotel Dolphin in Waikkal and the Kani Serendib Hotel located on Bentota’s golden beach make ideal backdrops for rest, relaxation and even exploring the surroundings that are rich in a colourful history that goes back hundreds of years.

All three properties along with the newly-acquired Kani Lanka Resort & Spa are aesthetically pleasing with in-room amenities and facilities that are above and beyond those provided by other similar class hotels and offer a diverse assortment of activities for the entire family.