Business
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts ignites culinary excellence across Sri Lanka and the Maldives with over 280 accolades
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts proudly celebrates an extraordinary series of victories in the realm of culinary excellence during the first half of the year, accounting for over two hundred and eighty (280) accolades at four key industry competitions across Sri Lanka and the Maldives. These remarkable achievements, spanning the brand’s portfolio of fifteen hotels and resorts, not only highlight the exceptional talent, creativity, and passion of the teams, especially within the food and beverage (F&B) sector, but also reaffirm the company’s unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.
With a relentless focus on training, mentoring and development opportunities in Food & Beverages (F&B), Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts continues to nurture talent and empower its teams to challenge the boundaries of culinary innovation. The extraordinary performance of its Culinary and F&B teams exemplifies the company’s core values of talent, creativity, passion and teamwork.
The culinary journey of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has been nothing short of extraordinary. At the Nestle Golden Chef’s Hat Competition, Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo proudly secured four awards for regional culinary excellence, while the Food and Hospitality Asia Maldives 2023 witnessed Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives, and Elaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, securing an impressive total of 45 awards in culinary excellence and six awards in F&B. Above Notably, Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, the flagship property of the Maldivian portfolio, was honoured with the prestigious title of ‘Golden Chef Hat with Most Outstanding Culinary Organization in 2023,’ further solidifying its reputation as an industry leader.
The Chef’s Guild Competition 2023 Culinary Art Food Expo proved to be a remarkable showcase for Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ culinary prowess. Teams representing multiple Sri Lankan hotels and resorts, including Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Cinnamon Red Colombo, Cinnamon Bentota Beach, Cinnamon Lodge Habarana, and Habarana Village by Cinnamon, proudly secured an astounding 190 awards in culinary excellence, 19 awards in F&B, and 14 special achievement awards, both as teams and individuals. These achievements reinforce the company’s unwavering dedication to nurturing talent and providing an environment conducive to creativity and innovation.
Furthermore, the 28th National Bartenders Competition 2023 showcased the exceptional mixology skills and creative innovation of Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Cinnamon Red Colombo and Cinnamon Wild Yala, securing four prestigious awards. These achievements highlight the brand’s commitment to delivering outstanding bar experiences to guests, complementing its culinary excellence.
Commenting on this significant milestone, Chief Executive Officer of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Mikael Svensson, said, “As we celebrate these outstanding wins, we not only acknowledge the exceptional performance of our culinary and F&B teams but also commend the collaborative spirit and dedication exhibited by every team member across Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. We take great pride in the tireless efforts of our teams, who have participated and triumphed in these competitions. These remarkable wins reflect Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to delivering extraordinary experiences and raising the bar in the hospitality industry. As a company, we will continue to invest in our people, offering them training, mentoring and development opportunities to further fuel their passion for culinary excellence.”
Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has long prioritised the development and promotion of a culture of creativity and innovation for its people. This commitment to continuous improvement, is evident at all levels of the organisation. From the leadership team to every individual, Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts fosters an environment that encourages new ideas, embraces innovation and empowers its employees to challenge boundaries in the field of F&B. The company’s emphasis on comprehensive training, mentoring and development opportunities has been instrumental in shaping the outstanding achievements of its culinary and F&B teams.
As Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts steers forward in its journey of excellence, these wins serve as a testament to the Brand’s commitment to fostering a culture of creativity and innovation. Through its relentless pursuit of culinary brilliance, the Brand continues to redefine the guest experience and set new benchmarks in the hospitality industry.
Business
AHK Sri Lanka champions first-ever Sri Lankan delegation at Drupa 2024
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
Business
HNB General Insurance recognized as Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”