Dilmah invited the entire world to enter their Tea Inspired Christmas Challenge presenting amazing prizes such as an all-expense paid trip to the Dilmah School of Tea in February 2017, a vacation at the exotic and luxurious Cape Weligama, afternoon tea with Dilmah Founder Merrill J. Fernando, a Monogrammed Dilmah Luxury Presenter with Dilmah Christmas Tea, and Afternoon Tea for the 21st Century Recipe Book. 3 top winners won everything on the prize list, and 20 consolation prize winners won the latter 3 prizes.
To enter, contestants had to send in a tea inspired Christmas recipe along with a picture and the story that inspired it all. Dilmah received 115 highly creative entries from individuals across the globe between the competition dates of 15th October to 30th November 2016. Dilhan C. Fernando- Director of the School of Tea and son of Dilmah founder Merrill J. Fernando, and John Clancy – World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS) Education Director, judged the contestants on respect for tea and its integration into a tea inspired Christmas presentation; Christmas themed flavours; creativity with regards to tea, gastronomy and mixology; inspirational personal tea story; and creative, synergetic and effective use of at least 1 Dilmah tea in their recipe.
30 different countries participated in creating a tea inspired Christmas, with 55 entries from hospitality professionals, and 60 entries from global lovers of tea. Fredrik Andersson from Sweden won first place for his recipe Chocolate bavaroise tasted with Dilmah Earl Grey, variation of raspberries & tea served with pistachio. Robbie Postma from Netherlands won second place for his recipe 6 days to Christmas. Jade Heynsbergh from Australia won third place for her recipe Modern Buche de Noel.
For the full list of winners and more information on the recently concluded challenge visit http://bit.ly/2ibY4VU