Travel

Nilmini emerges first runner-up at Bartender’s Competition

Nilmini Dissanayake of Chaaya Village, Habarana, emerged first runner-up at the annual Asia Pacific Bartender’s Competition held recently at the Good Wood Park Hotel, Singapore.

A hostess at Chaaya Village, Nilmini was shortlisted from a total of 14 bartenders representing various countries, including Japan, Italy, Korea, Thailand and the UK, to be amongst the best 6 candidates, due to her exceptional performance at a very closely contested semi-final round.

Nilmini secured the first runner-up position with yet another brilliant performance in concocting the perfect cocktail for the ‘Classic Cocktail Category’.

Born in Kiribathkumbura (near Pilimatalawa) and educated at the Peradeniya Junior Secondary School, Nilmini has successfully passed her G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) exam and excelled in netball and dancing whilst in school. Joining the team at Chaaya Village as a hostess in March 2006, Nilmini started her winning streak in June 2008, by emerging as the winner in the ‘Classical Category’ in the Cultural Triangle leg of the National Bartending competition.

Having been sent to the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management for further training to enhance her talents, Nilmini was selected among the 17 contestants for the Grand Final in Colombo. Living up to everyone’s expectations, Nilmini emerged the winner in the ‘Classical Category’ at national level in the Grand Finals held at the Waters Edge, Colombo in July 2008.

Jayantissa Kehelpannala, Executive Vice President, John Keells Holdings PLC and Sector Head - Resort Hotels, said, “Nilmini has brought honour and glory, not only to the Chaaya brand, but also to Sri Lanka. It is after a period of 14 years that a Sri Lankan has achieved a milestone of this magnitude in the Asia-Pacific, where bartenders from England, Italy and Sweden also participated on invitation.

‘Hopper Nite’ at Trans Asia

‘Hopper Night’ is a concept introduced by Trans Asia which is back on track every month by popular demand.

This will be a regular feature from now on, taking off every last Friday of each month, at 7 pm on the Terrace over looking the Beira Lake. Sunil and his team are all set to make it a night to remember! It is the place for friends and family, as you are able to totally relax into the late hours to the magnificent and vibrant music of Jerome and his trio.

They are known for their colourful and quality music flawlessly blended with Jerome’s inimitable renditions of western and Baila songs. Adding more colour to the event this Friday, is the availability of Karaoke located on the terrace itself under the Library Canopy.

GFH promotes inbound investor cum tourist groups from Thailand

A high powered delegation of Thai Business people led by Ms Arunee Tippila, Vice President Thai-Sri Lanka Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, were in Sri Lanka on a business cum pleasure trip, at the invitation of Sanjeev Gardiner Group Chairman of the Galle Face Hotel group (GFH). The Group was here mainly to explore business opportunities in the fields of Leisure/Hospitality, Property Development. They stayed at the Galle Face Hotel.