Bentota Beach and Cinnamon Lodge win big

Bentota Beach Hotel emerged as Double Champions for the Downsouth Region while Cinnamon Lodge Habarana continued its winning trend at the Bartenders' Challenge 2012 organized in collaboration with the local Hoteliers Association together with Periceyl (Pvt) Ltd for the third consecutive year.

Fifteen15 hotels took part in this year's Downsouth challenge, out of which Bentota Beach Hotel's L C R Pieris and H J U Fernando emerged as champions in both the Classical and Flaring categories. It was the first time since the beginning of the competition that a single hotel emerged as champions in all disciplines.

Expressing their feelings on the victory both Pieris and Fernando said that they are extremely delighted to be able to create history for the first time in the challenge. Bentota Beach Hotel is very encouraging and constantly urges its staff to take part in competitions and to improve their skills, which in turn assists in providing superior service to our guests, the duo explained.

For Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, S D P Sanjeewa won the Gold medal for 'Flaring.' Sanjeewa is a prominent figure at the Tuskers Bar of Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, always serving the guests with a warm smile. "I am glad that I won this award. My way up here was very interesting but I had confidence in myself and it was always backed by the management and staff at Cinnamon Lodge Habarana," said Sanjeewa after receiving the award.

This challenge is organized in different regions of the country and is open to all local bartenders in the hotel trade and hospitality industry. The competitors are judged on flair, taste and the speed with which they prepare the drinks.