Review by Thusath Dissanayake
Master Menath Kahapola and Master Shaluka Herath successfully clinched first and second places in the The student Segment of the Culinary Champions 2023 competition, a collaborative effort of, Lanka Exhibition & Conference Services (Pvt) Limited, supported by the Kandy Hoteliers Association and Ceylon Professional Chefs Association, was held at Sahas Uyana on the 16th of September.
Masters Menath Kahapola and Shaluka Herath, participated in this 45-minute culinary face-off, clinching first and second places. In an amazing feat of masterful cooking prowess, despite their young ages, these two chefs reached a top level in this challenge which earned them places.
The Winning Dishes in Full Spotlight
An aromatic butter chicken with cumin infused naan, was delicately prepared by Master Meneth Kahapola. Master Shaluka Herath, on the other hand, concocted shrimp and cream cheese filled ravioli with a brown butter sauce. The dishes upon inquiry, and judge’s critiques were exquisite masterpieces and a big hit among the crowd.
The Culinary and Hospitality Club interviewed our crowned cooks to inquire how they felt pre and post competition.
“At first my friend and I went in unbeknownst, the moment we saw the competition , it was on MasterChef Junior at that point. We were divided into stations of our own, which was a bit nerve wracking, but the judges eased things over. The crowd seemed really captured by the student segment which was cool, and we had an entourage cheering away. To tell you about my dish, I made something that I enjoyed making, in a nutshell I made butter chicken with cumin infused naan. When the final minutes were ticking down and plating was underway the crowd moved in for a better look, pressuring, but they were enjoying what they saw, knowing that, helped ease our nerves.”
Master Menath Kahapola
“The Experience off the bat was new to both of us, the butterflies started going when we figured out that we were competing against hotel school pros however, the encouraging words of our teacher helped us calm down and get a footing. The moment I got to know that we got a higher placement than the hotel school, I was extremely excited because, it is something I never thought I would achieve.”
Master Shaluka Herath
The Culinary and Hospitality Club applauds and wishes the best of luck to the young champions.
