Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Chefs Guild of Lanka, proudly relaunched the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition this year – an island wide culinary competition focused on developing up-and-coming culinary talent in the hospitality industry.
Nestlé Professional also collaborated with the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association and Chefs Guild of Lanka to launch the Junior Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition for the very first time – providing culinary students in the hospitality industry with a platform to showcase their talents and skills, while fostering the next generation of culinary experts.
The regional rounds, held across all nine provinces of the country, brought together 18 finalists from both the Professional category and the newly introduced Junior category, to compete in the Grand Finale at the Culinary Art Food Expo.
The winners of the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition 2025 were awarded at an event held on 15th June at Cinnamon Grand Colombo, with the participation of distinguished guests – Chief Guest, Her Excellency the Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Dr. Siri Walt; Head of Nestlé Professional Strategic Business Unit, Nestlé S.A., Mr. Reinhold Jakobi; Regional Business Head – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Asia, Oceania and Africa Region, Mr. Jeroen Pluijmers; Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé South Asia Region, Mr. Saurabh Makhija; Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka, Chef Gerard Mendis and President of the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association, Mr. Patrick Pereira.
Mr. Bernie Stefan, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka commented “The hospitality industry plays a vital role in supporting the transition from stability to growth in the Sri Lankan economy. Nestlé Lanka is honoured to play a part in uplifting the industry through the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition. This initiative also embodies our Nestlé Needs YOUth initiative, which is dedicated towards empowering and upskilling the youth to excel in their field of expertise and contribute to the community”.
H.E. Dr. Siri Walt, Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives mentioned “I congratulate Nestlé Professional, the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association on this wonderful initiative to promote culinary talent. Tourism and the hospitality sector are very important for Sri Lanka and Switzerland. I am therefore very pleased that Nestlé Professional is engaged in uplifting the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka.”
Mr. Reinhold Jakobi, Head of Nestlé Professional Strategic Business Unit, Nestlé S.A. said “I am pleased to celebrate Sri Lanka’s vibrant hospitality industry through the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition 2025, especially as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of this global initiative. Through Nestlé Professional, we aim to open the treasure trove of knowledge Nestlé has cultivated through decades of research & development along with our diverse product portfolio, supporting the hospitality industry to grow, innovate and thrive”.
Mr. Maduranga Perera, Assistant Director – Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka commented “Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka has always been at the forefront in the culinary development of the country. We are honoured to partner with the Chefs Guild of Lanka and the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association to host the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat and Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Junior Competitions in 2025. This collaboration reflects our continued commitment to uplifting Sri Lanka’s culinary industry and supporting the next generation of chefs”.
Chef Gerard Mendis, Chairman of the Chefs Guild of Lanka reflected “We’re proud to have partnered with Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka on this inspiring initiative – creating a platform where the culinary talent in Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry can truly thrive. It’s a celebration of skill, passion, and potential, giving chefs the opportunity to shine on a grander stage and elevate their craft to new heights”.
Mr. Patrick Pereira, President of the Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association said “We’re absolutely delighted to have collaborated with Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka to launch the Junior category of the Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Competition 2025. This exciting new addition opens the doors for aspiring young culinary talent from hotel schools across the country to shine on a prestigious platform – showcasing their creativity, passion, and exceptional skills to a wider audience”.
Driven by its purpose of ‘unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come’, Nestlé has nourished generations of Sri Lankan families with high quality food and beverages from early childhood to old age. As the B2B arm of Nestlé Lanka, Nestlé Professional Sri Lanka has always been at the forefront of the development of Sri Lanka’s culinary industry and will continue its efforts by working together with food service professionals to offer tailored solutions that address unique business challenges and opportunities to grow and succeed
Caption: Nestlé Golden Chefs’ Hat Junior Competition – Winners: From left to right; Mr. Bernie Stefan (Managing Director, Nestlé Lanka), Chef Gerard Mendis (Chairman, Chefs Guild of Lanka), Mr. Patrick Pereira (President, Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association), H.E. Dr. Siri Walt (Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives), Mr. Jeroen Pluijmers (Regional Business Head – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Asia, Oceania and Africa Region), 1st Runner Up Winners – Sadini Kaveesha & Imasha Amandhi (SLITHM – Koggala), Grand Winners – Chathura Dilshan & K.A. D Fernando (SLITHM – Colombo), 2nd Runner Up Winners – Senuka Perera & Michael Gurusinghe (William Angliss Institute), Mr. Reinhold Jakobi (Head of Nestlé Professional Strategic Business Unit, Nestlé S.A.) Mr. Maduranga Perera (Assistant Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Lanka) and Mr. Saurabh Makhija (Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé South Asia Region).
Caption :From left to right; Mr. Bernie Stefan (Managing Director, Nestlé Lanka), Chef Gerard Mendis (Chairman, Chefs Guild of Lanka), Mr. Patrick Pereira (President, Sri Lanka Hospitality Graduates Association), H.E. Dr. Siri Walt (Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives), Mr. Jeroen Pluijmers (Regional Business Head – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Asia, Oceania and Africa Region), 2nd Runner Up Winners – Ms. Kalani Samadhi & Iresh Siriwardana (Cinnamon Grand Colombo), Grand Winners – Mr. Ramindu Dilshan & Mr. Chalaka Janith (Araliya Beach Resort & Spa Unawatuna), 1st Runner Up Winners – Mr. Kavindu Anuhas & Mr. Chanaka Janith (Sigiriya Forest Edge), Mr. Reinhold Jakobi (Head of Nestlé Professional Strategic Business Unit, Nestlé S.A.), Mr. Maduranga Perera (Assistant Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Lanka) and Mr. Saurabh Makhija (Director – Nestlé Professional, Nestlé South Asia Region).
