The Culinary Champions competition 2024, a three day competition organised by Lanka Exhibitions and Conferences (pvt) Ltd jointly with Kandy Hoteliers Association, Nuwara Eliya Hoteliers Association and Cultural Traingle Hoteliers Association will commence on Oct 31 at Sahas Uyana, Kandy and the finale will be on November 2.

The competitors will vie for the coveted title of Sri Lanka’s Culinary Champion 2024.

Professional Chef and President of the Kandy Hoteliers Association and Resident Manager, Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Kandy Rodney Armstrong said the event will showcase culinary skills, creativity and innovation of professional chefs as well as rising stars, while providing opportunities for budding chefs to gain much needed experience and exposure through healthy competition. Armstrong also said that a number of professional chefs have left the country due to the economic downturn and there is a dearth of quality chefs in the country. Competitions of this nature would certainly help us to unearth the talents of youngsters and groom them to be top class chefs with professionalism and fill the vacuum he pointed out.

The leading chef, manager and trainer Armstrong said this year 500 competitors would vie for the plum and members of chefs clubs in the Kandy schools are also taking part in the competition. Last year there were only 250 competitirs.

The competition is conducted for 17 categories. Armstrong is responsible for the creation and training of members of chefs clubs in some of the Kandy schools.

Culinary Champions 2024 provides an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to showcase their skills, gain exposure and network with other industry professionals. The aim of the competition is to provide a platform to promote culinary excellence, skills and abilities of chefs, cooks, pastry chefs and apprentices from this region the Kandy Hoteliers Association President said.