Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka)

Emirates pays warm tribute to Merrill J. Fernando on...

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The shared passion that attracts like-minded organisati­ons to each other was clearly articulate­d when Emirates, the world’s largest internatio­nal airline, greeted Dilmah founder Merrill J. Fernando recently, on the occasion of the 90th birthday of the celebrated Sri Lankan entreprene­ur and humanitari­an.

The occasion coincided with Fernando’s 70th anniversar­y in the tea industry and a video greeting from Emirates Vice President Catering, Global Food and Beverage Darren Bott captured the warmth and respect between the two companies, which have worked together for 28 years to serve a selection of Ceylon Teas created by Dilmah on Emirates flights across the globe.

“It goes without saying,” Bott said, “that you are an industry legend, absolutely a father figure of the internatio­nal tea community. It is an absolute pleasure for me and the Emirates team to have worked alongside you for the past 28 years. As you know, at Emirates we take great pride in serving your tea selections on board and over the course of our 28-year partnershi­p we have together created some fantastic money-can’tbuy experience­s for our guests.”

“The most recent was our world’s highest tea master class aboard one of our A380s in the bar, when you and I hosted our guests. What a fantastic experience it was. I think it’s fair to say Merrill that these types of experience­s we have created really do aspire to what both of our organisati­ons try to achieve and really continue to lay the foundation for our great partnershi­p.”

Bott added, “Merrill, your 70 years of dedication to producing and delivering an incredibly consistent high-quality tea and your infectious approach to the truly great work you do for your country and community is something that we, at Emirates, really truly admire. Your philosophy of bringing integrity back in to tea, your personal mission through your efforts of sustainabi­lity to make our world a better place for our future generation­s and your generous, generous endeavours to give back to the underprivi­leged will always be your lasting legacy, I guess. Merrill, we like to thank you and congratula­te you and on behalf of the entire Emirates team I would like to wish you a healthy, safe and very, very happy 90th birthday.”

The longstandi­ng partnershi­p between Emirates and Dilmah results in the brewing of the finest Ceylon teas on board and in Emirates airport lounges around the world. Today, the airline serves a special selection of 12 Dilmah teas catering to the tastes and sensory preference­s of all its customers - including an exclusive tea created just for the airline.

Each year, Emirates brews more than 33 million cups of Dilmah tea for its customers from the specially curated tea menu available in all classes, taking the Dilmah brand to more than 158 destinatio­ns on six continents. The pinnacle of the airline’s tea selection is the exclusive Emirates Signature Tea served only in First Class –a singleesta­te tea made from Flowery Broken Orange Pekoe 1 leaf growing on the Dombagasta­lawa Estate, in Sri Lanka’s Nawalapiti­ya region. The artisanal tea is made with a sprinkling of marigold and safflower, combined with the sensual fragrance of rose, a firm almond note and a touch of ginger representi­ng flavours of the Middle East.

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 ??  ?? Emirates Vice President Catering, Global Food and Beverage Darren Bott (left), Merrill J. Fernando (centre) and his son Dilmah Tea CEO Dilhan Fernando during the tea master class aboard an Emirates A380
Emirates Vice President Catering, Global Food and Beverage Darren Bott (left), Merrill J. Fernando (centre) and his son Dilmah Tea CEO Dilhan Fernando during the tea master class aboard an Emirates A380

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