Cinnamon Grand’s Chef Sudu: World renowned master of culinary arts

Chandrasena Sudusinghe, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest culinary success stories and the only Lankan to become an approved judge by the World Association of Chefs Societies joined Cinnamon Grand, Colombo’s premier city hotel, as Executive Chef recently.

Cinnamon Grand, which prides itself on inducting exceptional individuals into its hospitality team, is aiming high with the entrance of Chef Sudusinghe, the latest addition to its all star line up of top chefs at the hotel.

Affectionately known world over as ‘Chef Sudu,’ Sudusinghe returns to Sri Lanka after a seven year stint at Shangri-la Hotels and Resorts in Dubai, where he contributed to the chain’s launch in the Middle East as an Executive Chef.

Sudusinghe also spent two years at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Riyadh, as Executive Sous Chef of the internationally renowned property. The Four Seasons property belonged to Al Waleed Bin Talal, a member of the Saudi royal family, and according to Chef Sudu, as Executive Sous Chef he had the additional responsibility of catering onboard the Prince’s three private jets.

“Whenever there was a royal wedding at the hotel, we had extended banquet facilities in a tent which could host 10,000 people,” Chef Sudu recalls, saying it was a truly unique experience in his career.

He took up his latest position at Cinnamon Grand in August 2012, pledging to guide the hotel’s exceptional culinary team to enhance their skills and innovation to offer the best possible guest experience.

With a quarter century of experience and culinary achievements under his belt, Chef Sudu is an exceptional trainer, an gift, he claims, inherited from his parents, who were both teachers by profession.

As Executive Chef at Shangri-la Hotels, Chef Sudu played an integral role in corporate training and takes pride in having inspired young talent and skill during his illustrious career in the Middle East. His love of nurturing young talent in the industry also extends to Sri Lanka, where he has periodically shared his extensive knowledge and experience as a visiting lecturer at the School of Tourism and the Win Stone School of Culinary Art in Colombo.

A founder member of the Sri Lanka Chef’s Guild Association, Chef Sudu is also a proud Senior member and Marshal of the Emirates Culinary Guild.

As a world renowned veteran in the culinary arts, Chef Sudu is regularly called upon to adjudicate in international culinary competitions across the globe, in his capacity as a judge accredited by the World Association of Chefs Societies. “This was perfect as travelling is my hobby and as a judge, I was able to literally travel the world,” Chef Sudu explains.

Sudusinghe is renowned for his passion for the culinary arts and an adventurous nature that leads to wonderful innovation that constantly delights his guests. His international exposure, the veteran says, allowed him to embark on a voyage of gastronomic discovery that helped to fine tune his knowledge and skill.

Having experienced the kitchens of the world, Chef Sudu says it is his fervent desire, to share his knowledge with the local industry before his retirement. “This is my personal corporate social responsibility project,” he explains.

In fact Chef Sudu feels very strongly about giving back. In August 2011, he was a part of the World Chefs Tour Against Hunger that raised almost a million dollars towards the plight of starving children in South Africa.

“This was a great project,” Chef Sudu recalls. “We performed cookery demonstrations and food festivals around South Africa that raised money which would go towards feeding hungry children in that country. I am so proud to have been associated with that programme,” he adds.

With everything their new Executive Chef brings to the table, Cinnamon Grand promises that guests can look forward to a journey of gastronomic delights beyond their most indulgent dreams.