Cinnamon Grand Colombo celebrates dual milestone with celebrity Chef Phillip Davenport

 From left: Cinnamon Grand Colombo General Manager Kamal Munasinghe, Celebrity Chef Phillip Davenport and Chef Kapila Jayasinghe - Pic by Kithsiri de Mel

By Nishel Fernando

Cinnamon Grand Colombo is marking a significant chapter in its history with a dual celebration: the 50th anniversary of its iconic fine-dining restaurant, The London Grill, and the 20th anniversary of the hotel itself. 

To commemorate these milestones, the hotel hosted a special press conference introducing visiting celebrity Chef, Phillip Davenport, who will be curating unique culinary experiences. Cinnamon Colombo Area Vice President and Cinnamon Grand Colombo General Manager Kamal Munasinghe, during a special press conference held at Cheers Pub in Cinnamon Grand this week, emphasized the hotel’s commitment to enlivening Colombo’s event scene. 

“At Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, we always like to take the lead in creating that buzz in the city,” he stated. “We are a homegrown brand, and we have a responsibility towards making a buzzing city to ensure that we take this message all around the world.” Reflecting on the rich heritage of the property, which was originally established in 1935 for a Non-Aligned Movement conference, Munasinghe highlighted the enduring legacy of The London Grill. “One of its original restaurants, London Grill, opened in 1975 and has remarkably thrived for five decades in Colombo’s competitive dining scene,” he noted. “The longevity of a restaurant, especially in this market where establishments often quickly disappear, requires the right concept, dedicated people, and a driving passion. The founders of London Grill established an incredibly strong foundation. This robust foundation has sustained the restaurant for 50 years, and I am confident it will continue for many more.”

Munasinghe further elaborated on Cinnamon Grand’s vision: “Our vision is to showcase the best of Sri Lanka to the world with sophistication and grace, mirroring the experience offered by London Grill. Key partnerships, such as with Celebrations and Chef Davenport, are essential to this endeavor. We aim to promote Sri Lanka not only as a tourist destination but also as a place where visitors can enjoy world-class dining.” He stressed the critical role of food and beverage in tourism, asserting that “Cinnamon Grand has consistently provided such experiences for many years.”

Celebrity Chef Phillip Davenport, who amusingly shares his 50th birthday year with The London Grill, expressed his enthusiasm. “It’s an honor to be in Sri Lanka for the first time and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the London Grill,” he said. Despite his extensive media work and producing his own TV show, “Eating In,” which has aired on National Geographic and Netflix, Chef Davenport emphasized his core identity: “I am first and foremost a chef with 32 years of experience.”

His impressive career spans continents and culinary styles, from running renowned establishments like Hugo’s in Sydney, where he cooked for Hollywood A-listers, to managing a large beach club in Bali. “The opportunity to bring my diverse culinary experience, rooted in French techniques but also incorporating Southeast Asian influences, to the Cinnamon Grand and London Grill for two weeks, complete with wine pairings, is incredibly exciting,” Davenport remarked.

A highlight of Chef Davenport’s visit will be an unprecedented Japanese whiskey pairing dinner. “Next week, we’re hosting a whiskey pairing dinner. It won’t just be drinks alongside dishes; each dish will incorporate whiskey,” he explained. “For example, we’re planning a beautiful boudin sausage, a French-style sausage, with a whiskey-infused sauce. You’ll taste the whiskey in the sauce and subtly within the sausage itself.” He noted that while wine pairings are common, “whiskey pairings with food are a more recent trend. Whiskey’s earthy, smoky, and dry characteristics make it surprisingly versatile with food. The key lies in balance.”

The celebrations also coincide with a menu revamp for The London Grill, spearheaded by Chef Kapila Jayasinghe, Cinnamon Grand Colombo’s creator of culinary journeys, who is also responsible for Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo. The new menu, set to launch after Chef Davenport’s departure, will introduce “new calorie cooking techniques and presentations, ushering in a new era for this celebrated establishment,” while “maintaining its old-world charm and fine dining service,” according to Munasinghe.

Chef Davenport, despite his short and intensive visit, has already immersed himself in local flavors, expressing a fondness for egg hoppers with chicken curry and even shared possible plans to introduce hoppers to Australia.

The dual anniversaries and Chef Davenport’s collaboration underscore Cinnamon Grand Colombo’s enduring commitment to culinary excellence and its pivotal role in shaping Colombo’s vibrant hospitality landscape.