Having started his career as a pot washer, Chef Larry kept climbing the culinary gastronomic ladder one rung at a time, reaching dizzying heights of success, and making great strides in the industry. For creating a world of flavour and redefining the culinary landscape, he was named as the Craft Guild National Chef of the Year in 2016. Following this great win, he was made Head Chef at Gordon Ramsey’s Petrus Restaurant and was awarded a Michelin star in the UK & Ireland guide in the same year. Chef Larry has served at three Michelin-starred restaurants; Waterside Inn as Chef de Partie; Michel Bras in Rute de Laguiole and Le Manor aux Quat’Saisons. With a passion for sustainability, minimising food waste and ethical souring, Chef Larry is set to create a real difference in the industry.

During the four-day visit to Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives, the revered chef engaged with the in-house guests, sharing his experience, techniques and cooking styles and crafted an exquisite menu featuring his signature dishes including Doughnut of Local Crab, Tartlet of Tuna Soy and Black Truffle, Poached Oyster, Cucumber and Wasabi and Andrea’s Brioche and Chicken Butter. A live cooking demonstration was held, where the guests were given the opportunity to prepare a pasta dish alongside a culinary genius.

Creating a unique dining experience unlike any, a special five-course dinner was prepared by this world-renowned chef, featuring unexpected combinations of flavour and textures, creating a memorable experience. Offering guidance and inspiration, a special knowledge sharing session was conducted by Chef Larry, sharing his culinary expertise and techniques among the resident culinary artists at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives.

Here are 5 things to do in the Maldives:

1.Snorkeling at the Cinnamon properties

The life under water is one of the best Maldives experiences. It is one of the must things to do in the Maldives and is guaranteed to be a once in a lifetime experience! Get up close and personal with humongous turtles, majestic manta rays and an innumerable collection of various fish including, puffer fish, stone fish, clown fish and a hundred more that light up the waters of Maldives. Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts staff at any Maldives resort will ensure that your snorkeling experience is curated to your preferences.

2. Big game fishing at Cinnamon properties

Fishing communities live in most Maldivian islands and fishing is part of their livelihood. Experience big game fishing while at Maldives! Our properties Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives and Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives are fully equipped to give you the best Maldives experience possible. Big game fishing is for those adventure-lovers in the Maldives. Venture out into the deep seas, and fish with the beautiful sunset as your backdrop. Treat yourself; cast a good line, and gather some fish for a fun dinner. Speak to our staff and let us curate a perfect experience for you!

3. Diving in the Maldives

A Maldives experience not to miss is a diving trip to reignite the adventure-lover within you! The best time to dive in the Maldives is from January to April. During this time there is a very good visibility and excellent sea conditions allowing for some great diving adventures!

A diving trip to Maldives is quite the affair, we at Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives and Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives are ready to redefine your diving experience for you! We will curate the perfect diving experience according to all your preferences. The best news? All our properties are situated in close proximity to some great dive sites.

4. Surfing at the Pasta Point at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives

The Pasta Point at Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is one of the most sought-after surf spots in all of Maldives, with its magnificent waves and our policy of sustainable surfing; Pasta Point at Cinnamon Dhonveli has become an attraction for award-winning surfers from around the world. We are concerned of both your safety as well as that of the environment, the Pasta Point is Green Globe ISO 22000, 14000 & 18000 certified. There are strict policies in place and we also encourage our guests to follow environmentally conscious policies when they are on the island.

5. Paddle boarding at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives

Paddle boarding might be one of those must try activities in Maldives for the fun-filled adventure lover in you. Paddle to your hearts content and have it curated just to fit your needs. All you’ve got to do is speak to our in-house specialists at Cinnamon Velifushi Maldives. Go on that much-awaited adventure with your loved one or your family, enjoy the sun and beach while you’re at Maldives.

Book your trip to Maldives and make sure you stay with us at Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts, we will ensure you have the best Maldives experience; plush and luxurious lodging as well as the most luscious food experience you can imagine!

Cinnamon red Colombo, part of the dynamic Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts chain, won the ‘Best New Hotel of the Year’ award in the ‘Mid-Market’ segment at the 11^th Hotel Investment Conference –  South Asia (HICSA) 2015, held on the 7^th and 8^th April 2015, in New Delhi, India. The prestigious annual HICSA ‘Hotel of the Year’ awards were instituted to honour and recognise the most outstanding hotel developments in the region for the past year. Hosted by HVS Asia, a dedicated hospitality consulting firm, the conference provides a highly respected platform for new hotels to gain prominence. Winning this award reaffirms that Cinnamon red is perfectly positioned to cater to the demands of the new age travellers – the new millennials – and due to its strong brand presence, especially in the South Asian region, provides a unique experience for its guests.

Terrence Fernando, General Manager of Cinnamon red Colombo received the award on behalf of Cinnamon red at the awards ceremony held on 7^th April at the JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi.

In its published report on Sri Lanka’s hospitality sector, HVS noted that the launch of Cinnamon red Colombo presents an excellent opportunity to tap into the burgeoning mid-market outbound traveller segment, primarily from India and China. The new, emerging breed of discerning travellers seek the assurance of a hotel that understands and anticipates their needs, while providing the right amalgamation of comfort, efficiency and convenience – the precise concept of Lean Luxury which Cinnamon red is pioneering. By adapting to the growing needs of this segment, Cinnamon red has yet again emerged as a preferred choice for travellers, more recently winning a Booking.com award for guest satisfaction as well.

“Winning the HICSA award in the Mid-Market category is an immense achievement for Cinnamon red Colombo, as it has been in operation for a little over six months. This is yet further proof that Cinnamon red is fast gaining visibility and generating a buzz in the South Asian region, clearly reflected in the high number of votes it has received to go on and secure this award. We envisage Cinnamon red emerging as one of the foremost hotel brands in the mid-market segment in the region in time to come. The South Asian region is a key market for tourism in Sri Lanka and we expect Cinnamon red to command pride of place and establish itself as a destination in itself”, said Rohan Karr, Sector Head for City Hotels.

“I am delighted that Cinnamon red Colombo has been awarded the Best Hotel of the Year in the mid-market segment at HICSA 2015. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts has aspired to carve a unique niche for each of its tiers and Cinnamon red was conceptualized to cater to a select segment. Cinnamon red introduced the concept of ‘lean luxury’ to Sri Lanka, in response to global hospitality trends, thereby fulfilling a long-felt need for a quality hotel at an affordable price. We are confident that Cinnamon red heralds a new benchmark both for Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and the lean luxury category in the country, and is poised as the game-changer in Sri Lanka’s evolving tourism industry. The Cinnamon red team needs to be commended for delivering the brand promise with panache”, said Terrence Fernando, General Manager of Cinnamon red Colombo.

The HICSA awards 2015 had received 44 nominations for ‘Hotels of the Year Awards’ in the Luxury/Upper Upscale, Upscale/Upper Mid-Market, Mid-Market and Budget/Economy categories. Cinnamon red Colombo emerged the winner from three finalists, the other two contestants being Mirage Lords Inn Kathmandu and Ozo Colombo. Awards are given based on a voting system, and registered delegates, who are from the hospitality industry, are allowed to vote. HICSA attracts about 500-600 attendees annually for its conference.

They’ve almost completely surrounded us now. There are four behind us, five to the left and one 12 foot tall mammoth to the right. Foot by foot they converge on our jeep. Their deep growls reverberate into my chest. Their prehistoric trumpets pierce my ears. They stare at us with unwavering blood red eyes. In them I see myself. I see panic. I see an animal ready to take flight for its life.

Suddenly the engine roars. But as the jeep thrusts forward, the heard begins to charge.

The driver instantly slams on the break and we glide to a muddy stop. The heard pauses, their eyes determined, their stance aggressive.

I can sense the drivers fear now. He yells towards the big one, half demanding and half pleading for it to stop it’s advance.

But the standoff continues. Seconds seem like minutes. I consider my possibilities. I could run towards the lake. I might not make it but it might buy some time for my fellow travel bloggers to escape.

I can’t take it anymore.

Yala, yala, drive! I scream like an angry Egyptian cab driver, looking ahead towards our only escape.
The driver hits the gas. For precious seconds the tires spin helplessly in the mud. Suddenly the jeep catapults us forwards.  And then by some divine hand, the elephants are held back. The jeep races to safety. We escape, but our racing hearts are still trapped within the elephants crosshairs.

I’ve felt threatened by animals before, by alligators in Australia and crazy monkeys in India. But I’ve never experienced the kind of primitive fear that a heard of angry wild elephants can invoke. It was terrifying yet awe inspiring, and it provoked a renewed respect for the natural world and these incredible mammals. I have never felt more alive and more grateful to be alive. If you’re looking to roam among wild elephants, Sri Lanka’s Kaudulla National Park is where it’s at.

This awesome elephant encounter is thanks to Travel Blog Conference Asia 2014. It’s a 5 day conference/tour with 50 other travel bloggers hosted by the PTBA, Sri Lankan Airlines, Cinnamon Hotels & Sri Lanka’s only domestic airline, Cinnamon Air. It’s the first time I’ve ever taken a tour or traveled with a group and I love it more than my beloved sugar cane juice.

Lefi Harum – TheRunawayGuide

Leif Harum was hosted by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts and SriLankan Airlines in partnership with the Professional Travel Bloggers Association for TBCasia – Asia’s First Ever Travel Bloggers Conference 2014 in Sri Lanka.

A 3D Walk through of the Waterfront Project which will change the Skyline of Colombo, Sri Lanka This will be named Cinnamon Life and is scheduled to open in 2018!

• Integrated Resort Development of 4.5 million Sq ft.
• 800 room luxury hotel, large high end retail mall, luxury residencies and state of the art office space
• Largest private sector investment in Sri Lanka
• Iconic design by world acclaimed British based Sri Lankan architect Cecil Balmond
• A project of significant national importance
• Envisioned to be the epicenter of modern South Asia