Taj Samudra wins 24 medals at ‘Culinary Art 2011’

‘Culinary Art 2011,’ the food and hospitality tradeshow, is a coveted annual event where Sri Lankan chefs and bartenders have an opportunity to showcase their unique and innovative creations. This year a team of 34 personnel represented Taj Samudra, winning a grand total of 24 medals in both individual and team events.

Taj Hotels in Sri Lanka and Maldives Area Director Rohit Khosla, Executive Assistant Manager – F&B Ranil Perera and Executive Chef Dhaithya Krawage along with the winners

Of the numerous unique masterpieces, two of the most admired were a butter carving of cricketers depicting varied stances and an icing marzipan sculpture of the much loved Kung Fu Panda characters. Another buzz starter was an exotic deep red cocktail especially created by Prasanga Chandra Kumara of the Mix Bar.

The concept of this cocktail revolved around welcoming honeymooners and won the gold medal at the Arrack Cocktails competition. Kapila Gamage and Melanie Perera of the Latitude restaurant also won gold medals for the Creative Coffee Cocktails and Mocktails competition respectively. Chef Prageeth Dilanka, one of the patisserie’s most talented, walked away with a gold and a bronze medal for his splendid dessert creations.

This experience was a truly exciting one and the highlight of this year’s event is that every single participant of the Taj emerged a winner by securing a medal or an award.

The conceptualising and planning for the chef’s guild was undertaken by Executive Chef Krawage and Master Chef Damith. Together with a team of creative and passionate chefs and F&B personnel, they worked tirelessly to motivate the staff to be original and independent.

Recognition at these events paves an optimistic path for dynamic careers in the future for these talented chefs and bartenders and encouraging participation is an integral part of the Taj work culture.