Amila top wine man

Amila Dissanayake was placed first at the finals of the 13th Wine Appreciation Programme and Sommerlier Competition held at the Cinnamon Grand recently. The competition was organized by the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association in collaboration with Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management.

The competition that consisted of three rounds set off in November last year. 300 participants from all over the island competed at the preliminary rounds and Amila was selected along with 27 others to the semi finals.

Finalist Amila explained how the participants were subjected to a written quiz, aroma testing, character and service of wines, presenting skills as well as being examined on 'food and wine harmony'.

Amila who had no formal training as a 'taster' before he entered the competition had been rigorously trained once selected in to the Semi final rounds by the Cinnamon Lodge, Habarana and participated in a 4 day training session conducted for all the semi finalists.

Amila joined Cinnamon Lodge Habarana as a Trainee Steward in 2005 and was selected to the Butler Service in 2006 based on his excellent performance.