Written by Menath Kahapola (President of the Culinary and Hospitality club)
On the 19th of February, the junior members of the Culinary and Hospitality Club had the privilege of visiting Mahaweli Reach Hotel for an insightful session titled An Introduction to Hospitality. This annual event, organized by the club, aims to provide hands-on exposure to the workings of the hospitality industry. Leading the program was Mr. Subodha Angammana, who guided the students through various departments of the hotel, offering them a personal insight to industry’s operational dynamics.
The session began at the hotel’s boardroom, where the students were briefed on the day’s plan and the objectives of the program. This introduction set the stage for an engaging and educational experience.
The first stop was the Food and Beverage (F&B) Department, where students were introduced to different types of cutlery and glassware. They were informed of their specific uses in fine dining. This segment provided a deeper understanding of the attention to detail required in food service.
Next, the students were taken to the hotel’s bar, where they were given a demonstration on how to use a cocktail shaker and were shown the process of making a classic margarita.
Moving on, the group visited the Front Office, where they were introduced to the intricate system of handling bookings and managing guest relations.
The tour continued with a visit to one of the hotel rooms, where students were shown how room service operates. A highlight of this segment was the exclusive visit to the Presidential Suite, where they witnessed how luxury and superior quality are upheld to cater to premium guests.
Finally, the students were taken on an extensive tour of the kitchen. Here, they observed the fast-paced environment of a professional kitchen and gained insights into food preparation, health and safety protocols, and the coordination required to run a high-end culinary operation.
By the end of the program, the students had gained invaluable knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the hospitality industry. One saying,
“This visit was an eye-opening experience. Seeing the effort that goes into every department of a hotel really made me appreciate the hospitality industry even more.”
-student participant
Thus this visit to Mahaweli Reach Hotel on the theme: An Introduction to hospitality, once again proved to be a successful and enriching experience, reinforcing the Culinary and Hospitality Club’s mission to inspire and educate future professionals in the field.
