Festival Culinary Challenge 2024
Tea
Coconut
Spice
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7th, 8th & 9th of June 2024
Want to Participate?
Apply before 15th of May 2024
About the Event
Sri Lanka is a synonym for diversity. It has a vast expanse of people, culture, and traditions, and food is one of the common connections that binds them. To reflect on Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage and understand the value and significance of what it can offer to the world in terms of taste, health, traditional knowledge, ingredients, and recipes. The Chefs Guild of Lanka, in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Tourism Board, is organizing the ‘Tea, Spice, and Coconut Festival and Culinary Talent Hunt to promote our cuisines to the world.
To mark this occasion, we are organizing a live cooking competition based on all the Ceylon tea, Sri Lankan spices, and coconut. The objective of this competition is to promote the use of these three ingredients and take the national cuisine to the next level and all over the world.
The purpose of this is to bring out the lost recipes and promote the culinary talents of young and aspiring chefs and home cooks. This competition provides a unique opportunity for participants to showcase their creativity and innovation in cooking with healthy and sustainable ingredients, promoting awareness about their versatility.
The Culinary Talent Hunt is a great initiative for chefs and citizens across Sri Lanka to display their culinary talent and skills and gain national recognition. If you aspire to be Sri Lanka’s emerging chef or master home cook, then participate in the ‘Tea, Spice, and Coconut Culinary Talent Hunt’ and show your culinary skills.
Classes for the Culinary Challenge (Theme - Tea, Coconut and Local Spices)
Class A1- Innovative Mains- Meat & Poultry
Class A2- Innovative Seafood- (One appetizer & a Main Dish
Class A3- Sri Lankan breakfast and set Dinner
Class A4 – Dilmah Tea Sommelier Challenge
Class A5 – Zara Pasta Challenge
Class B1- Dress the cake
Class B2- Tea, coconut & spice infused creative dessert(hot and Cold)
Class B3- Creative Bakery Display
Class B4- Apprentice Team Challenge- Dessert and Main Course
Class C1- coconut arrack and Gin Cocktail
Class C2- Coconut Mocktail
Class D1- Artistic Spice art frame using Tea, coconut and spice (static)
Class D2- Comprehensive Coconut showpiece (static)
Class D3- Fruit & Vegetable Carving (Live)
Class D4- Chocolate carving (Live)
Class R1 CIC Agri -3 course set dinner- (Appetizer, main Course and a Dessert)Team
Class R2 Fine dining desserts- Team
Message from the Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka
Invitation to Indulge in the Exquisite Fusion of Flavors at the Tea, Coconut, and Spice Festival & Culinary Challenge in Sri Lanka 2024.
We are delighted to extend a warm invitation to you for the upcoming Tea, Coconut, and Spice Festival & Culinary Challenge at BMICH Colombo ,Sri Lanka. This event promises an unforgettable experience as we celebrate the rich tapestry of flavors that define the essence of this beautiful island nation.
Tea Elegance: Immerse yourself in the world of Ceylon tea, known for its unparalleled aroma and exquisite taste. Engage with expert tea connoisseurs, explore tea plantations, and savor the finest blends that have put Sri Lanka on the global map of tea enthusiasts.
Coconut Extravaganza: Discover the versatility of coconut, a cornerstone of Sri Lankan cuisine. From coconut-infused curries to refreshing coconut beverages, experience the culinary artistry that revolves around this tropical delight.
Spice Sensation: Dive into a world of spices that have shaped Sri Lankan cuisine for centuries. Let the vibrant and aromatic spices tantalize your taste buds as you explore the diverse array of dishes crafted with passion and tradition.
Culinary Challenge: Witness the culinary expertise of talented chefs as they compete in a thrilling culinary challenge. Experience the fusion of local and international flavors, showcasing Sri Lanka’s gastronomic diversity.
This festival is not just about indulging in gastronomic delights; it’s about fostering cultural exchange, promoting sustainable tourism, and creating lasting memories. Sri Lanka, with its warm hospitality and scenic wonders, awaits to captivate your senses.
Save the date for this extraordinary celebration of Tea, Coconut, and Spice – an event designed to boost tourism and showcase the cultural richness of Sri Lanka.
Join us on this culinary journey, and let the flavors of Sri Lanka leave an indelible mark on your heart.
Judging Panel
Thomas Gugler
Thomas A. Gugler – World Association of Chefs’ Societies (WACS)
He is the President world Association of Chef Societies and a Certified Executive Master Chef/Director F&B. Thomas has lived in 13 countries, sand speaks nine (9) languages, and was the former National Coach of the Youth German National Cooking Team, he was Co-Founder of the Saudi Arabian Chefs Association, and has written books, and done TV shows. Thomas has also arranged VVIP Events for Celebrities and Royals. And is the Director of F&B at AlMashfa Hospital, the first 7 hospital in the Middle East, COO of NETAQ Global Food Solutions and Concepts. He is a Honorary member for many chefs associations. He Was working and living in 13 countries, speaking 9 languages and by today traveled 124 countries. His Aim is to further hands young talented chefs globally and to boost the industry towards professionalism in terms of quality aspects in order to guarantee the trades standings and recognitions.
BERND UBER
The journey becoming a cook/chef started nearly 6 decades ago in Germany. My travels ended in Australia where I worked in Melbourne’s clubs, restaurants and hotels.This was followed by being chef/patron in my 2 restaurants, one of my ambitions in life. From there I moved to my second one becoming a culinary trainer, which I did till my retirement from paid work.My passion and need to be involved in our industry and inspiring the next generation of cook/chefs still carries on by judging culinary events around the world.Member/ Honorary Life Member of many professional organisations worldwide and also ‘Pioneer of the Industry” and “Legend Of The Foodservice Industry Australia. “ Sid Taylor Memorial Black Hat” Award. “Lifetime Achievement Award” Word Chefs / WACS World Congress Kuala Lumpur 2018
ABDULLA SOBAH
Abdulla Sobah is one of the most well-known local chefs working in the Maldives currently. The winner of numerous awards, both local and international, Sobah has been working in the culinary industry for more than two decades now. FHA Singapore 2016 Hot cooking (the chef challenge) Bronze medal, President of Maldives award National award of recognition 2015, Hospitality and Tourism Industry in the area of tourism (promotion of culinary arts) Best Chef in Maldives 2015 Gold Silverand Bronze Medalist, FHAM best chef 2015, FHAM Best Maldivian chef 2015, WACS Asia Continental Director Medal (award ), Hotel Asia culinary challenge 2012 Maldives, Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge 2011Maldives, Chef guild of Lanka, culinary art exhibition 2007 Sri Lanka, Hotel Asia culinary challenge 2006 Maldives, Hotel Asia culinary challenge 2004 Maldives, Hotel Asia culinary challenge 2002 Maldives, Chef Sobah is active member of culinary judge, Chef’s Guild of Maldives (CGM)
ISAHQ SOLIH
Bachelor in Culinary Arts Management at Maldives National University and Diploma in Hotel Catering and Institutional Operation at FHTS and Birmingham endorsed program, by Maldives national collage. Chef Ishag started his professional career at Full Moon Beach Resort in 1999 as commis, and he moved several other places where his experience benefited him in reaching greater heights. Over the 18 years he had overseas training at Bangkok and Huawa Hin and Bankok, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan and Germany, in these training he build his capacity and became Executive Chef 2 different resorts in Maldives and worked in a senior level in five star resorts in Maldives. He has taken part of culinary competitions in local and overseas, so far on his credit 4 gold and 3 silver medals.
Vice President of Chefs Guild of Maldives. President of Maldives award National award of recognition ADDU City Council Award. Chef Ishaq is active member of culinary judge, Chef’s Guild of Maldives (CGM).
K.A.C. PRASAD
Working in Iberotel hotels group in east coast for Miramar Al Aqah Beach Resort the group managed & partnered by Travco international & TUI with 47 hotels in the world since 2007 as director of culinary. Diploma holder of International hotel school. 18 years experience in the gulf & 25 years in the culinary industry. Vice-president East Coast UAE for ECG. Member of emirates culinary guild for past 15 years. Member of Sri Lankan chef guild from 1992. Member of the WACS judging panel. Team Manager for junior chef society in UAE. Founder & Organizer of east coast culinary event which held from 2012.
KUSHAN PERERA
The first step to my streak of medal winning was at this very same culinary art competition in 1997 while in Sri Lanka and then on, moving to the Middle East. I have enjoyed working in some uncompromising luxury hotel brands which has active culinary schedules. Forte Grand, Le Royal Meriden, St Regis. Being an active senior member of the Emirates Culinary Guild and handed over the task of mentoring juniors who have grown to be successful at International competition level such as Global Chef, Culinary World Cup and Culinary Olympics. I have also had the privilege of being a member of the Emirates Culinary Guild’s entourage to Worldchefs Congress in Greece and Malaysia. Now, having marshalled and judged at the local competitions within the United Arab Emirates, I am now looking to extend further my successful career in culinary arts by joining panels of judges at various food competitions worldwide.
PETER DE KAUW
WACS certified Judge and Vice President of Emirates Culinary Guild’s Abu Dhabi and District Chapter. Sri Lankan origin living in my adopted country Australia. Initiated career in the Hospitality Industry in Sri Lanka while undergoing training and experience in Sri Lanka. Have gained extensive experience by being in the Middle East for more than 20 years and in Australia for almost 10 years. I am an avid competitor who posses many accolades at it and have grown into the fraternity of WACS Certified Judges in the United Arab Emirates and Australia. Member of Chaine des Rotisseurs of the United Arab Emirates. Presently manage a large multinational brigade of Chefs in one of the biggest Private Member Sports and Leisure facilities in the Middle East.
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