“Fifty Shades of Tea”takes the cup at Dilmah Tea Challenge
View(s):12 teams whisked, baked and brewed alongside each other at the Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge held on April 7 at the Colombo Academy of
The participants of the Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge. Pic by Nilan Maligaspe
Hospitality Management at SLIIT. The High Tea Challenge is a segment of the much 
larger Dilmah Real High Tea Global Challenge. The brainchild of Merrill J. Fernando, the Global Challenge was created in 2007 with the motive of celebrating tea in cuisine and exploring its gastronomic diversity. Come July, the winning team will compete with 21 other international teams; all vying for the title winner of the Dilmah Real High Tea Global Challenge.
Taking home the prize was Waters Edge Limited with “Fifty Shades of Tea”. Spearheaded by Executive Chef, Buddhika Samarasekera, who is no stranger to the competition, they explored the range and complexity of the simple tea in their entry “Fifty Shades of Tea”.
Chef Buddhika’s winning number consisted of his favourite; Earl grey infused into a beef pie; flavours which he swears by, along with a crunchy vanilla macaroon and truffle and parmesan flute. Achieving the perfect balance of tea when included in food is no easy task. “You have to be able to master it,” he explains, of the complexity behind the simple comfort drink.