Second Culinary Champions Competition kicks off on Thursday in Kandy

From left: Cinnamon Grand Executive Chef Kapila Jayasinghe, Unilever Food Solutions Junior Customer Strategic and Planning Manager Andrea Fonseka, LECS CEO Aasim Mukthar, Culinary Champions 2024 Project Director Alan Palmer, Hilton Colombo Residences Director – Operation Chef Priyal Wijesuriya, NH Collection Director Culinary Chef Priyantha Weerasingha, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Executive Chef Patrick Buttgereit, and LECS COO Husnie Rauf

The culinary world is set to sizzle as Kandy, the historic city in Sri Lanka, prepares to host the highly anticipated Culinary Champions Competition. 

The event promises to bring together the finest chefs from across the country to compete for the prestigious title of Sri Lanka’s Culinary Champion 2024. The event, to be held at Sahas Uyana from 31 October to 2 November, will showcase the skills and creativity of both seasoned professionals and rising stars of the Sri Lankan culinary scene.

Organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services Ltd., and supported by the Kandy Hoteliers Association, Nuwara Eliya Hoteliers Association, and Cultural Triangle Hoteliers Association, the competition is designed to celebrate Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage while encouraging innovation in modern culinary techniques.

Event highlights:

• Culinary showdown: Talented chefs will compete in 17 various competition categories including traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, Decorated Cake, Fruit and Vegetable Carving, Ice Carving, Bread and Pastry Display, Hot Cooking Fish Fillet, Hot Cooking Poultry, Hot Cooking Seafood, Asian Noodles, Desserts, Team Challenge, Young Chef, Hot Pasta Main Course, Tea Challenge, Iced Mocktail, Creative Table Set-up, and BBQ Sausage Platter.
• Judges: A panel of renowned local and international chefs will judge the contestants based on creativity, technique, presentation, and taste. The panel of judges will be headed by Chief Judge Alan Palmer who has over 60 years of experience in the industry. The panel of dedicated and experienced judges ensures that all competitors benefit from this opportunity to display their skills and creativity.
• Live cooking demonstrations: Attendees will have the opportunity to witness live cooking demonstrations by competitors.

The main sponsor of this event is Unilever Food Solutions Sri Lanka, official sponsors are Litro Gas Lanka Ltd., Standard Holdings Ltd., Abdul Rahims, Queens Work Wear Ltd., and Dream Factory. Category sponsors are Serendib Flour Mills Ltd., Oceanpick Ltd., Plenty Foods Ltd., Convenience Foods (Lanka) PLC, Maxies and Company Ltd., Diamond Best Foods Ltd., MA’s Tropical Food Processing Ltd., Ellawala Horticulture Ltd., and Pussalla Meat Products Ltd.

The Culinary Champions Competition is an excellent platform for chefs to demonstrate their skills and showcase the diversity of Sri Lankan cuisine to a wider audience. The competition aims to inspire the next generation of culinary artists and give them the opportunity to gain recognition on a national platform. The winners will not only receive the title of Culinary Champion.

All hotels, restaurants, and food and beverage outlets are being encouraged to participate in Culinary Champions 2024. This prestigious culinary event provides a platform for sharing experiences and promoting culinary excellence, showcasing the skills and abilities of chefs, cooks, pastry chefs, and apprentices from near and far.

Culinary Champions 2024 provides an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to showcase their skills, gain exposure, and network with other industry professionals. The aim of the competition is to provide a platform to promote culinary excellence, skills and abilities of chefs, cooks, pastry chefs, and apprentices from this region.