Sri Lankan chefs win bronze at world cooking contest

Sri Lanka was placed third at the recently held Bocuse d’Or Asian competition in Shanghai for the biennial world chef championship – the Bocuse d’Or (the concours mondial de la cuisine, world cooking contest), winning the bronze medal. This means they secure entry as one of the four Asian teams that will compete at the finals of Bocuse d’Or International championship in 2013 at Lyon, France along with culinary giants like France, U.K., U.S.A, Switzerland, Japan, Singapore, etc.

The two winners are Hilton Colombo’s chef Buddhika Samarasekara and Apprentice Rashen John. “The whole menu for the event revolved around the three main ingredients of Ceylon tea, Ceylon Cinnamon and Cashew,” said Chef Buddhika. This was the first time Sri Lanka has been represented at a competition of this calibre as it is frequently referred to as the culinary equivalent of the Academy Awards. This is also an honour for the Colombo Hilton celebrating its 25th year.

“This is an achievement for all Sri Lankans,” said the Promotions Manager of Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka, Anura Dewapura. “There was a lot of hard work involved. This is a common dream for all chefs to achieve this award as it’s one of the most prestigious. This is a great encouragement for all younger chefs as well as all those who expect to enter the field.”

Also present at the news conference were the General Manager of the host hotel Hilton, Rudolf Troestler, the president of Bocuse d’Or Sri lanka, Rohan Fernandopulle, the official coach for Bocuse d’Or Sri Lanka, Alan Palmer, Director Marketing of Dilmah Tea, Dilhan Fernando, Baili Delegue in Sri lanka for the Conrere de la Chaine des Rotisseurs, Nigel Austin and the chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa.