‘WOW 2013’ by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts comes to a grand finale!

The Sommelier competition known as ‘WOW 2013’ concluded on 3 of May in the presence of John Keells Group Sector Head Sri Lankan Resorts Jayantissa Kehelpannala, John Keells Group Head of HR Sri Lankan Resorts Ishara Naufal, Dilshan Fernando from Global Brands, hotel general managers, managers, media representation and many other key personnel.

The grand finale of ‘World Of Wines’ also known as ‘WOW 2013’ was held at Cinnamon Bey Beruwala and was an evening full of excitement for all resort hotels belonging to Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.

“WOW 2013 was a true development activity carried out by the T&D team preparing our team of F&B personnel to take up future challenges of the hospitality business with confidence whilst making sure that Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts reach global service standards in Food & Beverage,” said Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Manager, Training and Development Patrick Pereira.

The ten finalists faced three main challenges, namely, the blind tasting challenge, quiz program based on wine knowledge and serving wine in the high standard expected of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts.

The contestants were professionally judged by a panel of judges from the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) namely Vice Principal, Ratnapura branch Kanishka Jayatunge, and Senior Lecturer-Food & Beverage of SLITHM Colombo Charman Perera. Amongst the panel of judges was also Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Food & Beverage Manager C.B Earnest.

Sector Head Sri Lankan Resorts Jayantissa Kehelpannala said: “It was an excellent event meticulously planned and executed to near perfection. Well done to all teams that were involved and all participants, we sure raised the bar that evening.”

The kitchen team of Cinnamon Bey and the Food & Beverage team together with the finalists provided a delectable culinary expedition of seven-course Table d’hôte which was coupled with a stylish formal dinner service. The competing sommeliers served a fantastic selection of wines to perfectly match the courses served.

“WOW 2013 has certainly created the ‘wow factor’ in the hospitality industry as a trend setting initiative and was an ideal example of team spirit between hotel operations and the Training & Development team of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts” said Training & Development, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts S.A Premachandra.

The next competition will be held in 2015 and is predicted to be bigger, better and certainly more wow.