Breaking News
Sheron
Sheron
Apr 09 2026
71The CAHM – 7 Star Junior Chef Competition, organized by the Colombo Academy of Hospitality Management (CAHM) with title sponsor Serendib Flour Mills, has successfully progressed to its semi-final stage, with 30 participants selected following the recently concluded second round of the competition. With 7 Star by Serendib Flour Mills on board as Title Sponsor, the initiative continues to provide a strong platform to identify, inspire, and nurture the next generation of culinary talent in Sri Lanka.
The competition is a nationwide initiative designed for students aged 13 to 16 years, offering early exposure to the culinary arts through structured rounds, hands-on experiences, and guidance from industry professionals. It also reflects CAHM’s wider commitment to education, skills development, and corporate social responsibility in support of Sri Lanka’s growing tourism and hospitality industry.
The response to the competition has been highly encouraging. During the registration period, the program received over 5,000 inquiries from aspiring participants, parents, and school teachers. From this, 1,450 applications were submitted, reflecting the strong level of interest among young people in cooking and baking as both creative pursuits and possible future career paths.
Following a careful evaluation process, 204 applicants were shortlisted for the competition. The first round, held on 7 and 8 March 2026, drew enthusiastic participation from the selected contestants, all of whom demonstrated notable skill, commitment, and passion.
The second round has now also been completed, resulting in the selection of 30 participants who will moved forward to the semi-final stage. As part of the next phase of the competition, the semi-finalists will take part in a series of exposure and preparatory activities scheduled for 2 April 2026.
These include a field visit to the Serendib Flour Mills ultra-modern production facility located at the Colombo Port to provide insight into the production process, as well as exposure visits to a few leading hotels, including City of Dreams and Shangri-La, for industry experience, along with exposure visits to leading star-class hotels for industry experience, and a preparatory workshop held ahead of the next stage of the competition. These activities were intended to provide participants with broader practical exposure while deepening their understanding of the culinary and hospitality sectors.
The competition has been designed not only to identify young talent, but also to promote interest in the culinary field at an early stage, raise awareness of career pathways in hospitality, and create opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals. It also supports the wider development of Sri Lanka’s tourism and hospitality sector by helping nurture future culinary talent.
Beyond the competition itself, the program has also created opportunities for engagement with both participants and parents, helping build awareness of the diverse pathways available within the baking and hospitality industries. In this way, the initiative goes beyond a traditional contest format and serves as a platform for education, inspiration, and career discovery.
Mr. Vijay Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Serendib Flour Mills (Pvt) Ltd, said, “The response to the CAHM - 7 Star Junior Chef Competition has been extremely encouraging and is a clear reflection of the enthusiasm young people have for culinary arts and baking. At Serendib Flour Mills, we believe in supporting initiatives that create meaningful opportunities for young talent to be recognized, encouraged, and guided. Through 7 Star’s partnership with CAHM, we are proud to play a role in inspiring the next generation while also creating greater awareness of the exciting possibilities within the baking and hospitality industry.”
Mr. Errol Weerasinghe, Chairman of CAHM, highlighted that the competition’s progress reflects strong enthusiasm and talent among young participants, stating, “This initiative is about helping young individuals connect with their passion for culinary arts, while experiencing professional, industry-grade kitchen environments at CAHM. It can also be the starting point of a truly rewarding career, one driven by passion and offering opportunities across the world.”
As the competition moves forward, the CAHM – 7 Star Junior Chef Competition continues to build momentum as an initiative focused on developing young talent, strengthening industry awareness, and opening pathways for the future professionals who will contribute to Sri Lanka’s culinary and hospitality landscape.
As the competition moves into its next phase, the focus will shift toward preparing the finalists for the grand finale. Following the semi-final stage, the top 10 finalists will be selected to compete in the final round. In preparation for this, CAHM will conduct specialized training sessions on 24 and 25 April 2026, where the finalists will receive guidance on professional kitchen practices, cooking techniques, plating and presentation skills, time management, and competition strategies. These sessions will provide the young chefs with valuable tips and hands-on learning opportunities to help them perform confidently in the final stage of the CAHM – 7 Star Junior Chef Competition.
Serendib Flour Mills Limited (SFML) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Dubai-headquartered Al Ghurair, one of the leading diversified family businesses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). For the past 18 years, SFML has played a pivotal role in the food security of Sri Lanka by ensuring an uninterrupted supply of wheat flour to communities across the country, thereby “Nourishing the Nation.”
