Article by Thusath Dissanayake
The evening of September 4th was filled with culinary enthusiasm as we launched the highly anticipated second edition of the Inter House Culinary Competition, building on the immense success of last year’s inaugural event. Once again, the stage was set for an epic culinary showdown.
As the Vice Principal’s call echoed through the venue, aspiring young chefs eagerly took their positions at their workstations, mirroring the high-energy atmosphere of a Master Chef challenge. However, this year, the competition took a unique twist. Participants were tasked with creating authentic dishes from the vibrant regions of Southeast Asia, East Asia, South America, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, adding a flavorful international dimension to the event.
The main cooking competition took center stage, serving as the pièce de résistance of the entire event. The clock began ticking, and 30 minutes into the competition, we witnessed the return of the crowd-favorite event: the teacher’s cook-off. This year’s mission was to create a delectable dish using mystery ingredients provided to them. The ingenuity and craftsmanship displayed during this intense one-and-a-half-minute challenge left the audience breathless.
Following the teacher’s cook-off, the spotlight shifted to two returning mini-battles: the culinary quiz and the taste test. The quiz tested participants’ knowledge of culinary and hospitality fine arts, incorporating elements from the culinary club’s new venture partner. Competitors faced a time crunch and had to tackle a roster of 20 challenging questions, engaging the audience in excitement.
After the conclusion of the quiz competition, it was time for the taste test to take center stage. This year’s featured dish was a locally-inspired Chili con Carne, and competitors meticulously examined its appearance, taste, and texture to identify the 17 secret ingredients. The spectators couldn’t resist the temptation and indulged in a bite or two of this mouthwatering dish, adding to the overall excitement.
With the clock ticking down, the moment of truth arrived as our panel of expert culinary connoisseurs, including Mr. Rodney Armstrong, General Manager of Mahaweli Reach Hotel, Flt. Lt. Subodha Anngammana, a specialist in the field of hospitality, and Mrs. Nissansala Dissanayake, a longtime supporter and baking connoisseur, began the crucial task of judging the culinary creations on display.
We would be remiss not to extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff advisor of the Culinary & Hospitality Club, Mrs. Indika Hettirachchi, and the tireless student committee for their outstanding effort in organizing the competition for the second consecutive year. Their unwavering commitment and passion were instrumental in making this event a resounding success.
After intense competition and hours of dueling, the nerve-wracking moment arrived—the announcement of the RESULTS! Inaugural champions, Garrett House, successfully defended their title by securing first place in the teacher’s competition, quiz competition, and taste test. Simithraaratchy House emerged as the 1st runner-up, with Lemuel House, Central Boarding House, and Oorloff House following closely behind.
In summary, this year’s Inter House Culinary Competition was a resounding success, gathering an array of positive feedback from attendees. It was not just a competition but also a place of fun, learning, and, of course, exceptional food.
