Chefs to showcase Sri Lanka in international culinary contest

May 10, 2014 (LBO) - Sri Lanka's participation at Bocuse d’Or, a global culinary competition, is an opportunity to raise the country's profile as a high quality tourism destination, senior chefs involved in the event said. Fernando said events like these will help Sri Lanka to achieve government set target of 2.6 million tourists by year 2016.

"To encourage and to be prepared for that challenge I think events such as Bocuse d’Or has already done and will be adding effort and flavor," Fernando said.

"It is good to get the tourists but we must make sure that we can entertain them , look after them and they will be our best ambassadors in time to come,

"We cannot market our smile every day. There is something beyond that. We have to sharpen our skills and knowledge and continue training."

Augustus Lowe, who is a Chef de Cuisine at the Heritance Kandalama won the competition at home to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian finals in Shanghai, China in June. He will be assisted by 18 year old Ravindu Dilhan.

Australia, China, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore will be among the countries competing at this year’s Asian finals and Sri Lanka is competing for the second time.

"This will add Sri Lanka