Chefs get ready for food, hospitality show

By Sapumali GALAGODA

There is immense scope for chefs in the country with tourism in full swing locally and internationally, said Board Member, Chefs Guild of Sri Lanka, Madhawa Weerabaddhana.

Madhawa Weerabaddhana

At present there are 8000-10,000 chefs, and with the new hotels there will be a demand for more. Therefore, there is a great need to create awareness of the profession so that more youth will becom chefs. The 14th Culinary Art Exhibition, the exhibition of culinary challenge, food and hotel, restaurant and catering equipment suppliers and services will be held from July 29-August 1 at the BMICH.

The exhibition showcasing the unique talents of Sri Lankan chefs is the country's largest food and hospitality trade show.

"This year we have added two new categories for non professionals and housewives and for students who study home science as a subject in school", he said.

They have already received 2,118 entries from 1,371 chefs. "In the non professional category we are expecting about 100 entries.

The students will prepare a main course and a dessert, while non professionals and housewives will contest in the three tier cake as well as in theme cake categories.

They can prepare the cakes and bring them to the venue.

Weerabaddhana said that in the live category there are nine different categories where competitors will take part and the food has to be prepared at the venue during the competition.

Competitors in the static category can prepare the food and bring it to the venue.

There, will be 29 international judges and five local judges at this year's competition who are all members of the World Association of Chefs Society (WACS).

The show is the premier meeting place for industry professionals showcasing a wide range of products and services ranging from raw materials to finished food products and equipment.