Sri Lankan chefs have won a silver medal at the SCO Summer – King of Chefs Invitational 2026, held in Qingdao, China, on June 26 and 27, bringing international recognition to the country’s culinary talent.
The competition featured chefs from China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan, making it one of the region’s prominent international culinary events.
Representing Sri Lanka was the team from Beijing-based Sinnara Restaurant. Head Chef Nishad Samaranayake and Assistant Chef Manoj Liyanage competed against international teams by preparing authentic Sri Lankan dishes.
The chefs impressed the judging panel with traditional favourites, including kiribath (milk rice) and coconut roti. Their presentation and culinary skills received praise from leading Chinese chefs and international judges.
The achievement is particularly notable because it marks the first time in 15 years that a Sri Lankan team has secured a result of this level at an international chef competition held in China.
Beyond winning a medal, the success provides valuable international exposure for Sri Lankan cuisine. It also demonstrates how traditional local dishes can compete alongside world-class culinary creations while introducing global audiences to the country’s rich food heritage.
The team said the recognition creates an opportunity to further promote Sri Lankan cuisine internationally, encourage culinary tourism and inspire more local chefs to compete on the global stage.
For Sri Lanka’s hospitality and tourism industries, international recognition of local cuisine can help strengthen the country’s reputation as a food destination and create new opportunities for restaurants, chefs and culinary entrepreneurs.
Last modified: June 29, 2026
