20.9.2008
Sunil C. Perera in Colombo

Hilton Colombo turns 21 year on this Sunday and prepare to be wowed! Slated to be the biggest event of the year, the celebrations include a number of fun-filled events, activities and spectacular entertainment.

Issuing a press statement the hotel said the stunning anniversary party would feature a scrumptious 21 meter sandwich; ‘21 Flavours’, featuring 21 cuisines from around the world; a 21 meter bar; a stunning 21 meter ice sculpture and much more.

One hundred and forty chefs, under the patronage of Hilton’s Executive Chef, Mr. Rohan Fernandopulle will prepare delectable food items for ’21 Flavours’ which will feature 21 different delectable cuisines in 21 stalls. For this amazing display of culinary masterpiece, Hilton’s popular restaurants – Il Ponte, Curry Leaf, and Spoons – will battle it out with Garde Manger, Main Kitchen, Banquets, Pastry, Wok and other team kitchens to delight the crowds with an array of 21 scrumptious cuisines from around the world.

Each stall will be decorated to represent the cuisine served. The best decorated stall will win a grand prize of Rs. 21,000. The stalls will be judged for creativity, innovative use of material and concept. It will be judged by Ms. Nissanka Pethiyagoda. Journalist; Kirsty Hayes, wife of the British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka; Trevor Kennedy, Executive Creative Director, Leo Burnett Sri Lanka; Senaka Senanayake; popular artist, and Felicia Sorensen, Queen of Curries and Sri Lanka's Ambassador of food.

Guests attending the ‘Big 21’ will also be treated to some of the best entertainment acts in Colombo, with all-time favourites such as Bathiya and Santhush, Marians, Iraj, Centigradz, Chinthy, Ashanti, Dushyanth & Ishani, Natasha, Phase 3 and the choral group Revelations.

The event will also feature some stunning flaring performances by some of Hilton’s finest bartenders at the 21 meter bar. At the specially designed bar three types of cocktails and one mocktail will be on offer.

Amongst the many events on the cards, a 21 meter sandwich will be prepared by a team of 12 chefs using a range of Hilton’s signature sandwich fillings. A colossal 21 metre ice sculpture will also be on display at the hotel’s sports centre car park. Shaped in the form of candles, they will be lit up and the sculptures will last throughout the night.

The event will also feature an item by the children of the Ceylon School for the Deaf & Blind and many other exciting surprises making this a “not to be missed” event, ensuring tons of fun and frolic for people of all ages be they adults or kids.

In celebration of Hilton’s 21st anniversary this year, the hotel brought together many splendid activities revolving around the number ‘21’ during the past year to mark the number of years the Hilton has been providing its services in Sri Lanka. Some of the events which took place during the past year include the highly successful ‘2100kg Kottu Party’, the splendid ‘21 hour Latino Carnival’ and the ‘Carols for Charity’ Concert. In addition, among the Big 21 themed events were the giveaways for ‘21 Babies’, the ‘21 Couples Competition’ and the ‘$2100 Presidential Package’ for Valentines Day this year.

With more than 500 hotels and resorts on six continents, Hilton continues to be an innovative leader in the full-service hospitality segment and one of the most recognized global names in the industry. Hilton’s belief that ‘Travel Should Take You Places®’ celebrates a commitment to the guest experience and to the idea that travel can and should be transformative. Hilton’ s variety of services, amenities and programs are designed to give guests more choice and control over their stays so they can be at their best, 24/7 whether they travel for business or leisure. Each unique Hilton hotel and resort is designed to reflect the sense of place of its location; each team member chosen to reflect the local culture and community. Further details can be obtained from www.hilton.com.