Lemuel House emerged as Overall Champions at the Inter-house Culinary Competition 2026 after a day of impressive culinary skill, teamwork and creativity. Held on Friday, 3 July, the competition brought together students and staff in a celebration of cooking, innovation and healthy House rivalry, while also showcasing the growing strength of the Culinary and Hospitality Club at Trinity College, Kandy.
The Abeyratne Jeyaraj Memorial Building deck was filled with excitement as competitors from the five Houses prepared to put their culinary talents to the test. Throughout the day, participants demonstrated confidence, creativity and teamwork across a series of competitions designed to challenge both their practical skills and culinary knowledge.
Following an opening prayer by the Chaplain, the Assistant Secretary of the Culinary and Hospitality Club, Master Kankesh Mayurathan, welcomed the gathering and introduced the day’s programme.
The centrepiece of the event was the Main Competition, where each House was given two mystery ingredients and two hours to prepare an original dish. The challenge tested not only cooking techniques but also creativity, organisation and the ability to perform under pressure.
This year’s competition also marked an important milestone for the Culinary and Hospitality Club with the introduction of new equipment made possible through the generous donation of Mr Ahmed Dee Dee. These additions reflected the continued growth of culinary education and the steady development of the Inter-house Culinary Competition over the years.
Teachers also took to the workstations during the much-anticipated Staff Competition, preparing traditional Sri Lankan desserts while adding a spirited and enjoyable dimension to the day’s programme.
Beyond the cooking challenges, participants competed in the Quiz Competition and Taste Testing Competition, where they demonstrated their understanding of culinary techniques, ingredients and flavours. The Mocktail Competition further highlighted creativity, with competitors preparing colourful and refreshing beverages for evaluation.
The younger members of the College community had their opportunity to participate earlier in the week. On 1 July, Middle School students competed in dedicated Snack and Mocktail Competitions, encouraging interest in culinary arts while providing valuable experience for future competitions.
At the conclusion of the event, Lemuel House claimed the Overall Championship. Simithraaratchy House finished as First Runners-up, followed by Oorloff House, Central Boarding House and Garrett House.
In the Middle School competition, Sahayam House were crowned Champions. Pilcher House and Saunders House shared First Runners-up honours, while Gibson House and Squealary House completed the standings.
The competition was judged by Mr Subhoda Angammana, Mrs Nisansala Dissanayake, Chef Indika Bandara, Mr Dinesh Premaratne and Mr Rodney Armstrong, whose guidance and constructive feedback encouraged participants to continue developing their culinary skills.
The Culinary and Hospitality Club also extends its sincere appreciation to Spectrum Overseas Education Consultancy and Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. for their generous support, to the Teacher-in-Charge, Mrs Indika Hettiarachchi, and to everyone whose efforts contributed to the success of the event.
The Inter-house Culinary Competition continues to provide Trinity students with opportunities to develop practical skills, creativity and teamwork, while strengthening a tradition that continues to grow within the College.
Reviewed by Master Navidu Karunarathne
