Cinnamon Grand bids farewell to Chef Moru

The Cinnamon Grand team paid a poignant tribute to the Grand’s longest serving Executive Chef, Ranjith Morugama for his outstanding contribution towards the hotel and the hospitality industry. Moru, as he is fondly known, retired last week (July 24th), after 29 years of service. The special felicitation ceremony was organised by the hotel’s management to express their gratitude for his unstinted commitment to take the Cinnamon Grand’s culinary offering into new heights.

 A legend in his field, Ranjith Morugama has seen the hotel through its many stages of management and developments, mainly from the then Lanka Oberoi, Colombo Plaza to Cinnamon Grand.

A proud mentor and guru for thousands of aspiring students and chefs, who are now chefs in global hospitality chains, Moru has led his culinary team to create some of the most innovative food offerings in the hotel’s 14 restaurants.  Extremely passionate about his chosen field, last year Chef Moru opted to remain in his Chef’s whites for his posting of Director of Catering, instead of donning the official suit and tie.  

He also has to his credit of being the only President of the Chefs Guild of Sri Lanka, who managed to form a Sri Lankan team of chefs, united under one country, although representing different hotels, for the Food Olympics in October.

Over 400 staff members from all departments attended the farewell ceremony, with tokens of appreciation and gratitude being given to Chef Morugama.

General Manager Rohan Karr speaking on the occasion said that Moru was an exemplary member of the Cinnamon Grand family and that he was one of the main reasons for the hotel’s success in offering an eclectic blend of cuisines. “Thank you Moru, for your dedication, without you, we wouldn’t have been able to reach our goals of taking Cinnamon Grand’s promise of indulgence to the world,” he said.

Chef Morugama, in a very heartfelt and emotional speech said that the Grand was his first home and that personal reasons had propelled him to make this decision. However, he said that he will always hold on to the memories of working for such a grand institution and that he was proud to have been part of the team that gave birth to the Cinnamon Grand’s brand of indulgence for all ages.  

“I will always be there for Cinnamon Grand, my success has been the dedicated team I have had the opportunity to lead. Thank you for helping me. What I have learnt at the morning meetings far exceed the knowledge one can learn even when one is obtaining an education in a university,” he said in a lighter vein.

The Cinnamon Grand team captured the journey of Chef Morugama’s career in a video presentation, whilst each department also gave him a token of their appreciation.

The management and staff also gathered at the hotel entrance to give him a grand send off in true style, with loud clapping and cheering that ensued a fitting farewell ceremony, that honoured the service of this amiable and talented chef, friend and colleague.