Culinary

World Spice Food Festival 2009

Chamari SENANAYAKE

An amazing celebration of spices would be held during November 6 - 14th in the capital of Sri Lanka drawing international and local attention to our history and link to the spices. For the fourth time 'Sri Lanka Tourism' is inviting everyone to come and celebrate the 'World Spice food Festival' that is to be held across major hotels and Restaurants in Colombo and the outdoor events under the 'Global Spice Food Village' to be held at the 'Galle face Green' from November 6th- 8th.

Sri Lanka is a major supplier of Spices to the world since the colonial times, hence being one of the main reasons to become the target to the European conquerors. Even today, we supply ninety percent of the world's cinnamon, while being a major supplier of pepper, cloves, nutmeg and mace.

There are even records that our ancient kings exported some spices along with rice to the world during our most prosperous eras. However, since Portuguese, Dutch and British arrived in Sri Lanka they have brought international attention to us as a major cultivator of spices in the world.

Sri Lanka tourism has celebrated this festival successfully three times before, bringing famous international chefs from countries like Vietnam, Australia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand and South Africa. While they have presented spicy cuisine authentic to their region in major hotels and participated in competitions with other chefs, the 'Global Spice Food Village' was held at a public venue open to families to participate. Various cuisine could be tasted during this event while the audience can experience live demonstrations and competitions, amongst them this year is the 'Spice Paintings' competition where various artists and kitchen artists from major hotels would use blank canvas and colours that are only made out of spices in order to create paintings. This year students from the University of 'Visual and performing Arts' would also compete head to head with kitchen artists in the 'Spice Paintings' competition.

There is also the Sri Lankan Crab promotion and chillie crab cooking competition that would bring major attention to one of our assets 'the lagoon crab' that is considered a delicacy in various parts of the world and especially popular in Singapore.

There is also the 'spiced ice cream' and 'spiced tea' promotion that would be organized by some of the sponsors like, 'Mlesna Tea'. Audience can taste and feel the differences in these products when added with spices.

Cooking with signature chefs for housewives is another event that would take place in front of a live audience and would contribute largely to the culinary knowledge of Sri Lankan housewives.

This year, participating Hotels and restaurants are, Mount Lavinia, Holiday Inn, Galadari, Colombo Hilton, Galle Face Hotel, Cinnamon Grand, Waters Edge, Regina Margharita, Hilton Residences, Taj Samudra, Raja Bojun, The Mango Tree, Ceylon Continental, The Sizzle, Grand Oriental Hotel, Cinnamon Lakeside, Siam House and Nihon Bashi. They will be demonstrating and promoting various cuisine prepared by international chefs flown in especially for this event courtesy of 'Sri Lankan Airlines'.

Chilling out at 7 Degrees North

The hottest and latest hangout in town is 7 Degrees North, the Mediterranean-themed restaurant and bar at the new re-branded Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo!

Overlooking the Beira Lake, the restaurant boasts a wide-ranging menu which includes tapas, an extensive Mediterranean á la carte menu, signature South American cocktails by the pitcher and wines by the glass.

Indulgence is the name of the game at 7 Degrees North, and no day of the week is an exception to this! Come and shake off the mid-week blues at the mid-week Quencher on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 pm, while enjoying a 25 percent discount on all beverages! Live music on this evening will be provided by the Magic Box Mix-up.

The '1 for 1' promotion takes place from 6-7 pm on Thursdays where one gets to buy one glass of any beverage and get another, absolutely free!

The restaurant is open until 2.00 am on Fridays and Saturdays, much to the delight of its already loyal clientele along with a live musical line up, with the Trans Jazz Quartet and Soul playing Friday and Saturday nights, respectively.

The Sunday afternoons bring you the Sunday Carvery from 12 noon-3 pm, a gastronomic delight of two varieties of succulent meats and one piping hot main dish accompanied by boiled vegetables, golden roast potatoes, a healthy mixed salad and an assortment of soft breads.

On every other day of the week, 7 Degrees North is open from 11 am-11 pm, inviting you to come in for a quiet meal, an easy chat or a peaceful finale to a hectic weekday.

Pink Party hits the town again

After a very successful and unforgettable launch of the first ever 'Pink Party', an evening set a side only for the ladies, the exclusive Ladies Evenings will be taking place once again at the Margarita Blue on September 17.

Described by many as the perfect mid-week treat, these events bring together drinks, food, fun, games and a whole lot of entertainment for an evening of relaxation and total fun.

Ladies looking for something different to do with their girlfriends on an evening out need look no further than the Pink Party, which was launched last month by the Galadari Hotel and was considered one of the best evening by all who partied with them.

The Ladies Indulgence nights bring together a selection of a girls best friend commodities under one roof, and include trying one or many of the naughty games we have, dancing on top of tables and bars or drinking and singing till late, giving the girls an opportunity to get away from the men for an evening, and have a 'girls night in.

"We believe all girls need treating every now and again, and we wanted to create the perfect opportunity for a special treat while catching up with the girls", Public Relations Manager of the Galadari Hotel Nirukshi said.

We hoped our events will allow girls to sit back, put their feet up and enjoy a girl's night in with their friends.

And that's exactly what took place and the evening was buzzing from its take off.

Coffee Stop's new evening menu

An all new evening menu comes to the forefront of Coffee Stop offering patrons a completely different style of indulgence, the new evening menu encourages relaxation and reflection among delicious desserts and fortifying coffees. With music changing daily and a whole new elegant ambience, it will be an entirely new experience for patrons.

The evening menu consists of a range of dishes, guaranteed to satisfy you no matter what you're in a mood for! Coffees, naturally, highlight the menu with steaming hot brews and ice cold refreshing concoctions! Hot and cold puddings take pride of place with Baked Alaska making a return due to popular demand and Crepes offered with a staggering variety of fillings and toppings!

Guests can choose from Cold coffees such as Ice Americano, Ice White Mocha, Ice Caramel Macchiato and Ice Latte.

The Hot coffee range includes Espresso Conpana, Espresso Macchiato. There's also Liqueur coffees - Irish coffee, Monk coffee, Mexican coffee, Drunken Irish, Cinnamon Espresso and Corretto. Other beverages available include Espresso Frappucino, White Mocha Frappucino, Caramel Macchiato, Hot Chocolate, Ice Tea, Faluda, Milk Shakes, Café Mocha and a selection of freshly squeezed juices!

Cold puddings comprise Stew strawberry mousse, Praline Chocolate mouse, Chip cheese cake, Caramel panna cotta, Italian delight, Mango mousse, Caramel fudge Swiss roll, Tia maria coffee cream and Hazelnut cup.

Hot puddings include Queen of pudding, Apricot grand marnier pudding, Bread pudding, Cheese pudding, Banana chocolate chip pudding, Chocolate sultana steam pudding and Date pudding.

Ice cream sundaes range from Madagascar vanilla mix, Icy strawberry cheese ice cream and Belgian special to Baileys sweet treasure, Strawberry creamy refreshing and Praline cream absolute.

From farm to table

From farm to table, Mount Lavinia Hotel offers the freshest dishes prepared from local ingredients found within the destination.

One guest who endorses that Slow Food is the only way out from this fast paced, junk food society, "Food is the one thing that allows me to travel without restraints through time, cultures and social barriers, I am a Slow Food follower because, I believe it is time we do it with dignity and sustainable."

The concept of genuine global cuisine all wrapped under one four course menu features a range of authentic dishes found across the globe. These signature dishes synonymous to the Mount Lavinia Hotel are only available at the Governor's Restaurant and the Terrace.

"We're proud of our new concept of celebrating the strong connection between planet and plate and indeed for the fact that we're leaving a smaller environmental footprint while working closely with our local growers", Chef Leo said. He also adds that the Slow Food menu at the Governor's Restaurant and the Terrace will change weekly based on available freshest ingredients. Mount Lavinia Hotel has totally endorsed once you go Slow you will never go back!

"I joined Slow Food because I love food. Everything from the preparation, discussing it with Chef Leo, serving and eating it in a very casual ambiance is just an adventure. Through this process family and friends come together. All the senses are teased, delighted and warmed. Food is one of the few things that bring people together for a very sensual experience," avers another Slow Food lover who participated in the August 2009 Slow Food evening at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Escape to Italy with Barista

Give overcrowded resorts and holiday destinations the skip this season and ESCAPE to the exotic shores of Italy. Barista pays tribute to the splendid colours of the Amalfi Coast's pastel-shaded villas, jasmine scented streets and turquoise waters with a creative range of beverages that are refreshingly unique and designed to please. Sit around and stylishly sip on a beverage of your choice with your beautiful family or friends.

Recommended items on the new menu are:

* BRRRISTA BLAST - This is Barista's signature indulgent cold coffee, heaped with scoops of vanilla ice-cream with a generous dashing of melt-in-your-mouth chocolate fudge. And of course a all topped up with whipped cream.

* HAZELNUT FRAPPE - This coffee has a delectable and exotic hazelnut flavour that hits the right spot. It's teamed with an ice-cold coffee, blended with ice-cream and chocolate sprinkles on top.

* CHOCOCHILL SHAKE - A rich chocolate milkshake enhanced with a cooling hint of glacier mint.

* SMOOTHIES - Barista Smoothies come in two delicious flavours: Mango and Strawberry and are blended with a double scoop of ice-cream.

* SIZE ZERO FRAPPE - Famed to be the skinniest Barista Frappe, the Size Zero Frappe is attractively low on fat and high on flavour.

* SLIM SMOOTHIE - The luscious Slim Peach and Mango Smoothies are blended with yoghurt rich in probiotics and most importantly low in fat.

* ICED GREEN TEA - A cool Ceylon green tea infused with Moroccan mint and lime, trickled over ice. Perfect to be the summer heat!

* PASSION FRUIT ICED TEA - Freshly brewed Assam tea infused with natural passion fruit extract.

* STRAWBERRY SPLASH - A sparkling cooler mixed with a delicious strawberry pulp.

* MANGO CHILL - Ice shavings blended with lots of natural mango pulp to create a cold slushy fruit drink.

* HAZELNUT HOT CHOCOLATE - Milk steamed with delicious hazelnut chocolate, dusted with cocoa. Simple irresistible!

* MOCHA AFFOGATO - A traditional Italian concoction of espresso poured over ice-cream, finished with rich chocolate fudge and a chocolate cigar.

* MOCHALICIOUS FRAPPE - An indulgent blend of espresso, swiss chocolate, ice cream and a hint of mint topped with whipped cream.

Barista espresso bars are specially designed to reflect warm, friendly and inviting atmospheres and will revolutionize the coffee drinking experience in Colombo. Using the best Italian equipment for making their specialty coffees, Barista uses a blend of the finest Arabica coffees, ensuring you of the very best cup of coffee in Sri Lanka. They also serve a mouthwatering range of cakes, sandwiches, muffins, éclairs and pastries to enjoy whilst you sip your favorite cup of coffee.

While having your coffee, Barista provides you with quality music, TV, newspapers, magazines, WiFi and a wide range of board games as well as a guitar for the 'musically inclined' customers. Providing an overall experience, Barista has it all in terms of friendly people, service, food and beverages, ambience, and display. Just walk into any Barista outlet and let yourself be won over by the warm, rich aroma of Barista Coffee.

Barista outlets are located at Bambalapitiya, Crescat, Gandara, Horton Place, R.A. De Mel Mawatha, Rajagiriya, Thummulla Junction and at the World Trade Center.

Fashion Designer of the Year 2009

This is your last chance to enter the Fashion Designer of the Year 2009 contest. Entries are pouring in so all you designers out there send in your entries with the coupons in the Daily News and the Sunday Observer as the closing date for all entries are on September 17.

All designers are to be at the BMICH Cinema Lounge at 10.00 in the morning. Designers can bring four sketches in the category of Sports wear, Office wear, Evening wear and Saree wear. An eminent panel of Judges also await to give their judgement on the collections.