Cinnamon Wild Yala wins Gold at 27th National Bartenders’ Competition 2019

Chamara Kasun, barman at Cinnamon Wild Yala, recently emerged the winner of the Classic Cocktail Competition which took place at the 27th National Bartenders’ Competition, held this month. Organised by the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association, in collaboration with SLITHM, and held with the support of Rockland Distilleries, the highly anticipated event featured the participation of 177 hoteliers from across the island, and recognised top talent across a broad section of categories in the sphere of bartending.

To secure the Gold award in his category, Chamara created Sri Lanka’s first-ever Hibiscus-based cocktail, a vibrant beverage that showcases the benefits and creative use of the Hibiscus flower, which can be found in Tissamaharama, Chamara’s hometown. Following his success at the competition, Chamara will now go on to represent team Cinnamon and Sri Lanka at the World Bartenders’ Championship, which is set to take place in Singapore, as part of a training program by the Monin Academy in France.  Chamara will make history as the first Sri Lankan to attend a training program that is conducted by Monin - a world-famous food and beverage brand.

Commenting on his win, Sri Lanka Resorts Sector Head and John Keells Group Executive Vice President Hishan Singhawansa said: “We are extremely proud of Chamara for winning Gold at this competition and securing his place at a prestigious global championship. Chamara’s performance and his commitment demonstrates how we live our core values as a Cinnamon Citizens, by embracing creativity, innovation, inspiration and positive change.  We commend his efforts and that of all our team members who always do their best to constantly create inspiring moments and deliver the highest standards of hospitality to all of our guests.”

The competition is one of many initiatives that Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts participates in as part of an effort to provide valuable exposure to its team members. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts is a chain comprising 14 distinct hotels and resorts located in key areas across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The Cinnamon brand embodies a passion for inspired living and promises holistic and enhanced experiences that are tailor-made to suit the specific interests of travellers. Driven by innovation and excellence, the Cinnamon brand focuses on delivering memorable holidays and getaways that deliver exceptional standards of service whilst showcasing the warmth and vibrancy of authentic and contemporary hospitality.