Travel

Mega food and hotel show in November
 

BY ANJANA Gamage

SRI LANKA'S biggest food and hotel show "Culinary Art 2005" will be held at the new exhibition and convention centre at the BMICH from November 26 to 29 from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.

"Culinary Art" is a biennial competition involving the food and the hotel trade and this is the 11th consecutive year the event is being organised by the Chefs' Guild of Lanka.

At this event competitors are able to achieve culinary excellence based on the nutritional awareness, exercising quality, creativity and presentation.

Speaking at a press conference held recently at the Hilton Hotel, Colombo, Gerard Mendis, the Chairman of the Working Committee of Culinary Art 2005, said that over 850 chefs from 92 hotels throughout the country will participate at this year's festival.

"The event will be a showcase of the talents of the local chefs to the world. It will assist to promote the Sri Lankan culinary art and the image of the chefs worldwide", Gerard said.

The completion is featured with 15 various categories including hot cooking and a high panel of international culinary experts are included in the panel of judges.

Meanwhile the Chef's Guild of Lanka is expected to host the World Association of Cooks Societies (WACS) in Sri Lanka in 2010.

According to Gerard, the next world congress on chefs will be in Auckland in 2006 and Sri Lanka is expected to bid for the event to be held here in 2010.

However Sri Lanka has a firm target of achieving one million tourist arrivals to the country in 2010. If Sri Lanka won the bid in Auckland, about 1250 chefs from around the world will participate at WACS. Sri Lanka obtained membership of the WACS in 1992.

"This opportunity will boost Sri Lanka's tourism industry and the hotel sector target of high spending tourist per day (U$$ 150 to 200) would also be achievable with this event. We can also ensure confirmation of all the hotel rooms as well", Gerard said.

Great Sundays at Taj Samudra

TAJ SAMUDRA is offering an unparallel Sunday experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family and friends starting from the month of September at very reasonable pricing options.

There will be a variety of "all you can eat and drink" options on offer in the Golden Dragon, Ports and Navratna restaurants starting from 12.30 p.m. each Sunday.

The meal experiences will be complimented by supply of unlimited beer in all outlets and the Ports Brunch will include a free dip in the pool for the whole family.

Yum Cha - at the Golden Dragon

"Yum Cha" is a curiosity - inspiring eating habit found in the analogy of Chinese culture. Literally "Yum Cha" means drinking of tea with a variety of food dishes served on a leisurely pace.

The Golden Dragon has adopted this concept of "Yum-Cha" to provide their guests with a feast of Chinese dishes with a unique and exotic flavour that Golden Dragon is renowned for.

Some of the dishes that are included in the "Yum Cha" feast is Crispy Prawns in Lemon Sauce, Prawns Sui Mai, Crab Claws, Diced fish with dry chilies, chicken dim sum and a number of vegetarian dishes.

Dawat at Navratna

Navratna offers you a feast of the Navabs, which is famous for the variety and sumptuousness it offers. Continuous servings of North frontier Kebabs made of Lamb, Chicken, Sea Food, mutton and a choice of vegetarian Kebabs are on offer.

The feast of the Kebabs will be supplemented by crisp and oven fresh breads, Biriyani and the most popular Navratna Dhal.

An array of Indian deserts will complete this meal experience.

What better way to enjoy it than sipping the complimentary unlimited beer on offer.

Sunday Brunch at Ports

The brunch at the Ports coffee shop will be a different experience for the entire family. With a dip in the pool offered complimentary by the hotel.

The meal can be started with an array of exotic selection of Seafood such as Crabs, Prawns and Lobsters and a selection of meat from the barbecue at the Pool Side.

A novel meal experience will be the Oyster Bar and Sushi counter, which will be on offer along with a variety of cold meats and salads. The chat counter will offer delicious chats made on the spot by our expert chefs.

A variety of delectable Sri Lankan, Western and Chinese dishes are some of the other attractions included in the Brunch which can be enjoyed with an unlimited servings of Chilled Beer and Soft Drinks.

So come and spend your Sunday afternoons lazing around the pool and satisfying your appetites with mouth-watering choice of food options - only at the Taj Samudra.

A paradise on Bolgoda Lake:

God's Little Acre
 

BY LESTER Jansz

A MERE thirty-five minutes out of the city of Colombo on the banks of the scenic Bolgoda Lake in Moratuwa, is an absolutely fabulous location called God's Little Acre.

The Sri Lanka Tourist Board has classified it as a heritage home, and has used a picture of its swimming pool on the front page of its "Investment Promotion Brochure" because of its incomparable beauty.

God's Little Acre is a private facility, which reserves the right of entry to maintain its exclusivity. It is just one and a half kilo metres from the Galle Road on the Indibedda Road, which is also the road to the Yacht Club. The present clientele are up-market connoisseurs of good food and things of beauty.

Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps are regular visitors, as well as NGOs and other up-market Corporate guests, who value the beauty, privacy and serenity afforded by such a lovely spot, so close to the city of Colombo.

Many guests come to unwind and spend a delightful evening, followed by a wonderful meal. Many people come to God's Little Acre to celebrate their birthdays and also for company parties and other get-togethers.

No liquor is sold, but guests are permitted to bring whatever they require, without a charge for corkage. The staff are very talented and have been trained both here and abroad. They can prepare any kind of food ranging from Western, Chinese, Thai and local dishes.

The setting is fancied by many brides and grooms for their weddings and home-comings on account of the beautiful garden overlooking the swimming pool and Bolgoda Lake.

There have been instances where guests have come from as far as Wennappuwa and Negombo for their weddings. Additionally there is a large reception hall which together with the garden can accommodate in excess of 500 guests.

The proximity to Colombo and the beauty makes it an ideal setting both for weddings and luxury honeymoons. Foreign guests who have come to spend a few days have stayed for as long a six months.

The Villa is somewhat like a plantation bungalow and the broad verandas are used for the restaurant. A couple of other huts add to its beauty. The restaurant area do not require even a fan, since there is a continuous breeze all day long.

It is unbelievable but true that you can sit under a tree and enjoy your meal at one o'clock in the afternoon with natural air-conditioning! Several Blue Chip companies use the Villa for their seminars and workshops.

God's Little Acre has seven bedrooms which are provided with air-conditioning, hot water and TV and they are very reasonably priced. The hotel offers tea and coffee free of charge to resident guests.

God's Little Acre offers a special exclusive apartment with all modern facilities for CEOs of large companies who wish to entertain special foreign and local guests. The boat owned by God's Little Acre has been donated to a tsunami victim. However, the Villa arranges boat rides on the Bolgoda Lake.

A unique feature at God's Little Acre is that it is surrounded by a 180 degree of scenic water front. God's Little Acre is a must for the connoisseur of beauty and also for the gourmet!