Cinnamon Lakeside sweeps Colombo region Marie Brizard competition

Spirits were flying high at the Colombo region Marie Brizard cocktail competition as Cinnamon Lakeside bagged award after award.

The hotel ranked Best Five Star City Hotel by Sri Lanka Tourism for two consecutive years, lived up to its reputation by claiming victory in both the Flair and Classic categories of the contest.

The hotel claimed the most number of awards at the Colombo region contest with Dinusha Wilashini winning the Classic category and Binoy Perera winning the Flair category. Dinusha Wilashini’s elegant performance was enhanced by her finesse and attention to detail which impressed the judges as well as spectators.  Her positive attitude and persevering nature have been instrumental in her success as the Most Outstanding Bartender in Colombo.

Young Binoy Perera was the man of the hour with his energy and natural charisma creating a spectacular performance. His magnetic personality won the crowd over during his entertaining display of talent.

Binoy effortlessly took first place in the Flair category with Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo’s L.G. Harsha Sandaruwan Liyanage as second runner up.  In addition to the winners, the judges selected exceptional individuals from the hotels and bars in Colombo to represent their properties in the semi finals of the all island Marie Brizard Cocktail Competition.

Within this pool too, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo was well represented with three of six participants in the Flair category and two of six participants in the Classic category representing the hotel. This was the largest selection from any single hotel in the competition.

The talented team selected from Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo comprised Tharushka Mendis and S.P.N. Wickramasinghe in addition to the winners.

The Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo team trained tirelessly under the guidance of the hotel’s Learning and Development Manager Priyankara Sumanapalage, together with other associates from within the hotel. The hotel’s decision to reserve the participation of its popular veteran bartenders in order to promote fresh talent proved rewarding.

The panel of judges comprised Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management Senior Lecturer Chaman Perera, National Bartenders Competition Chairman Dhammike Gunatilleke and British Food and Beverage Training Centre CEO/Head of Studies Martin G. Straus.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo is home to 7 Degrees North, Colombo’s preferred bar and evening spot. The bartender’s victories are a testament to the superior service and ambience offered at the venue. 7 Degrees North, entertains guests to a variety of specials every day of the week.

Thursdays are well patronised by members of the fairer sex who are treated to a complimentary beverage, a rose and 25% less on their bills at Ladies Night. For those who missed out on her winning performance at the Cocktail competition, Classic category winner Dinusha Wilashini prepares a special Ladies Night cocktail, ‘Divine’, which will be served to ladies at 7 Degrees North, on Thursdays between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.