2016 Aug 16
Sommeliers Josep Plana from Spain, Aurélie Maumus from France and Gonzalo Marina Del Rio from Argentina to curate wine workshops at Colombo Gourmet Week 2016
12th August 2016 Colombo: The first-ever, week-long food festival in Sri Lanka celebrating food, wine and produce, The Colombo Gourmet Week, will be graced by Sommeliers Josep Plana from Spain, Aurélie Maumus from France and Gonzalo Marina Del Rio from Argentina from the 22nd to 28th August 2016. For a truly sensorial experience, the 3 world-famous Sommeliers in partnership with international award-winning chefs will enhance the curated dinners with their perfected skill in wines and gourmet cuisine respectively and infuse them with a world-class gourmet flavour.
Setting new standards in luxury hospitality, the event which is organized by Wine World, the premium online wine and spirits concierge service in association with The Galle Face Hotel is expected to feature a compelling line-up of exclusive events for gourmet food lovers and professionals in the food and beverage sector.
These dinners will be open to both ticket holders and invitees and will celebrate the wine and cuisine from four wine making countries namely: France, Italy, Australia and South Africa. The curated dinners will take place from 23rd to 26th August and cover Australian, Italian, South African and Chilean gourmet cuisine and accompanying wines from these regions with the right bouquet to enhance the delectable flavours in the food. Each of the 3 sommeliers holds extensive international experience and are considered amongst the best sommeliers the world has to offer.
Despite holding degree in Economics and Business from the Barcelona University, Sommelier Josep Plana went on to pursue his passion – Wines & Spirits. He continues to work for Torres, a wine producing company and has been assigned to manage Asian and Latin American markets.
Originally from Bordeaux, Aurelie Maumus has a Masters in Wine Business and Foreign Language from the University of Bordeaux. Her career in the wine industry began close upon 5 years ago and has led her to work in China, California and now Chile.
Meanwhile, Gonzalo Marina Del Rio who studied Agricultural Engineering at the Universidad Católica de Chile moved on to specialize in Agricultural Economy. He joined Cono Sur in 2011, and has 15 years’ experience in the wine industry, majority of which was spent in Asia. He has lived in China to develop the Asia Regional Office for Cono Sur, ensuring a remarkable growth of the brand as the second-largest brand from Chile in Asia.
The Colombo Gourmet Week will also feature tasting counters, where a select group of wines and canapés/dishes that will be matched by international chefs and sommeliers. The tasting counters will be open to the general public from 22nd to the 26th of August, with special offers on a select range of wines.
Semi private sessions for individuals of the trade will also be held, where representatives from partner wineries will conduct a full day of seminars and trainings. The “Wines of the World” will be officially opened by 4pm that same day and will be accessible to ticket holders and corporate/sponsor invitees. A special Wine buffet will be hosted on the south lawn for a total of 350 people inclusive of the top management of the hotel industry.
About the Galle Face Hotel
South Asia’s leading Grande Dame, the Galle Face Hotel is testimony to both Sri Lanka’s colonial past and its independent present. Celebrated within the hospitality world, it blends historical splendour with crafted modernity to form a new model for heritage properties. International guests are immersed in the Galle Face Hotel’s rich traditions and compelling stories, while Colombo society perceive the hotel as the most prestigious, desirable destination in the city for memorable dining and special events. Whether at the hotel for dinner or for a month-long stay, an experience of the Galle Face Hotel is one of timeless grandeur and exceptional hospitality.
Celebrating 150 years, the Galle Face Hotel is one of the landmarks in Asia and was acclaimed as one of the best heritage Hotels in Sri Lanka in 2012. Further it is the first Hotel in the country to be featured on a postage stamp.
About the Galle Face Hotel Group
The Galle Face Hotel Group manages the hotel and leisure interest of Galle Face Hotel, Kandy Hotels PLC & Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC.
Under this banner are 3 distinct portfolios of businesses.
The Deluxe Heritage Hotels Collection
Galle Face Hotel in Colombo and Hotel Suisse & Queens Hotel in Kandy.
Each hotel is a connected to Sri Lanka’s history, imbibed with the splendor of yesteryear while continuing to serve visitors, foreign and domestic is gracious surrounds.
The Resorts Collection
4 hotels routed in some of Sri Lanka’s most special areas offer a modern facility with outstanding vista & access to experience this great country.
The Lake Hotel Polonnaruwa, The Surf Hotel Bentota, The Safari Hotel Thissamaharama and The Lake House Polonnaruwa.
Each of these recently refurbished hotels offers traditional Sri Lankan hospitality to visitors.
