Ministry of Crab gears up for World Cup with a pop up restaurant in Sydney

Friday, 13 February 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Ministry of Crab founder and co-owner Dharshan Munidasa and Australian High Commissioner Robyn Mudie hold up one of his special t-shirts wishing the Sri Lankan cricket team good luck for the World Cup, while Second Secretary to the High Commission Chloe Ashbolt looks on – Pic by Lasantha Kumara By Malik Gunatilleke The Ministry of Crab announced that it will set up a pop up restaurant in Sydney, Australia during Sri Lanka’s World Cup match against Australia on 8 March. The popular Sri Lankan seafood restaurant will be in Sydney from 6 to 8 March at the InterContinental Hotel and will showcase some of its signature dishes. The pop up restaurant will be able host 40 diners per sitting for lunch and dinner on 6 and 7 March with brunch on 8 March. The Ministry of Crab, which is co-owned by Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, will take this opportunity to be in Australia to celebrate the two cricketing legends’ final World Cup. It will also use this chance to celebrate the two countries’ mutual love for crab. Founder co-owner of the Ministry of Crab Dharshan Munidasa stated that operating in Sydney for two days would be quite a challenge but one that he very much looked forward to. Having successfully conducted pop up restaurants on several occasions in Tokyo, he is well aware of the magnitude of the operation. “Ever since the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, and with Sri Lanka and Australia both having the same mud crab, Australia has been on our radar to run a pop up. This is a great opportunity for us to be in Sydney while Sri Lanka plays Australia and we get to cook some amazing crab for two and a half days. This year Ministry of Crab will be cooking in many countries, namely Maldives and Japan and it is a privilege and an honour for us to be doing this in Australia, while Mahela and Kumar are playing cricket,” he said. An additional two members of the Ministry’s kitchen staff will join Dharshan in this venture while he added that apart from the excitement the World Cup brings, he is keyed up to cook some great crab dishes. Attending a press briefing held at the Ministry of Crab in Fort, the Australian High Commissioner Robyn Mudie said, “The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 is an opportunity to welcome our neighbours and friends to Australia. I am personally looking forward to the 8 March match between Australia and Sri Lanka, and am pleased that Ministry of Crab will be appearing in Australia at that time cooking some great Australian crab.” She also thanked restaurateur Peter Kuruvita for his assistance and guidance in making this endeavour a reality. During the period of the matches, the staff at Ministry of Crab will also sport special t-shirts, wishing their bosses and the Sri Lankan Cricket Team the best of luck. These t-shirts will be sold at the restaurant and at the pop up in Sydney as well. Other Ministry of Crab limited edition memorabilia will also be available at these venues of which a portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity. Ministry of Crab will be in Sydney from 6 to 8 March at the InterContinental Sydney. To make a reservation, contact InterContinental Sydney on +61 02 9249 1396 or [email protected].