Ceylon Tea Masters Cup 2019 announces competition winners at awards ceremony

Many significant professionals from the tea industry and hoteliers converged at Hilton Colombo on 17 September for the Sri Lanka national qualifying competition of the Tea Masters Cup and the awards ceremony held subsequently. It is an exciting event heralding the iconic ‘Hotel Show 2019’ which is the main menu in the hospitality calendar, especially, as tea is expected to grow exponentially in foodservice in the years to come. Hence, tea innovation is an ideal marketing tool that can be used as a strategy to develop the image of Sri Lanka as an attractive tourist destination. 

Tea has and always will be a cultural icon of Sri Lanka since the days of the British occupation, and now the hospitality industry has taken tea to higher levels of excellence in terms of brewing expertise, taste and quality.

It was organised by Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association (CHSGA) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Tea Board. The event was preceded by a round of candidate training and grooming sessions held in the regions of Colombo, Kandy, South, Deep South, Negombo, Sigiriya which was carried out by CHSGA. Over 70 tea brewing specialists participated in the regional competitions representing the six regions and the top 9 from each category qualified for the Finals held in Colombo. The award ceremony celebrations were sponsored by Zesta and Lipton.  The award ceremony was graced by Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga and Minister of Plantation Industries Navin Dissanayake, together with several senior members of the hospitality and tea industry. The winners were selected from panels of judges possessing a wealth of industry experience. The head judge of International Tea Masters Cup competition who cycled worldwide was Sharyn Johnston, featured as the Head Judge of Ceylon Tea Masters Cup 2019 final.

Tea Brewing winner was Sahan Weerasinghe – Cinnamon Lakeside, the 1st Runner-up T.G.D.R. Shashi Wijerathna – Jetwing St. Andrew’s and the 2nd Runner-up Nedunchilyan Shabeeshan – Ananthara Peace Haven. 

Tea Mixology winner was W.L.N. Rodrigo – Heritance Negombo, the 1st Runner-up Brayan Balasinghe – Habarana Village by Cinnamon, and the 2nd Runner-up Sithum Shaminda Ponnamperuma – The fortress Resort and Spa.

Tea Pairing winner was Sahan Weerasinghe – Cinnamon Lakeside, the 1st Runner-up – T.G.D.R. Shashi Wijerathna – Jetwing St. Andrew’s and the 2nd Runner-up Brayan Balasinghe – Habarana Village by Cinnamon. 

The winners of the three categories will represent Sri Lanka at the International Tea Masters Cup to be held in China in October.  CHSGA Hotel Show Organising Committee Chairman Trevine Gomez states, “Tea Masters Cup in Sri Lanka continues to evolve each year, bringing tea professionals and industry leaders who raise the bar with new tea innovations and world-class education. He added, “With each championship, we are moving step by step towards the formation of a new future tea market, where the value of Sri Lankan tea will be restored and where all those who are involved in the tea value chain, starting from plucking of the tea leaves to brewing and serving tea will infuse renewed confidence.”

He further added, “Tea lovers will become fully informed about many exciting tea cultures, variety of tea flavours and aromas, which can give them much more pleasure from enjoying this historical drink. Through this competition, we are brewing a new future for Sri Lankan tea.”