Get ready for an arresting culinary experience as Sri Lankan veteran Master Chef (Dr.) T. Publis Silva dishes out renowned recipes of his homeland cuisine at the 4-star Pyramid Tower Hotel’s Atrium Café from Sunday, 16 June to Saturday, 22 June 2013.

The most famous culinary creator and a household name in Sri Lanka, Chef Publis’ local specialties are said to be truly unlike anywhere else on the teardrop-shaped island.  He explains that the cuisine draws on many influences, and is known for being rich in spices as well as for its piquant flavours.    

“Liberal amounts of a hot blend of fragrant spices give Sri Lankan cuisine its characteristic touch.  These spices are nutritive and medicinal in nature; making our food unique and richly varied for different taste buds,” Chef Publis of the renowned Mount Lavinia Hotel in Colombo says.  He further shares that 42 natural food additives are used in the preparation of the cuisine, which usually does not consist of any animal fat.  Moreover, a profusion of chilli, cardamom, cumin, coriander and other fragrant spices are combined with the ubiquitous coconut milk to deliver curries that are distinctively pungent, to accompany the focal point of meals – Rice.

Chef Publis commenced his career in 1956 at the age of 19 at the Mount Lavinia Hotel which was then under the management of Hyatt Corporation of the U.S.A.  With humble beginnings as a coal carrier, his determination and willingness to learn, coupled by an ingrained passion for food, saw him work his way up the chef ranks.  By the early 1970s, he was the Executive Chef across several dining establishments of the Hotel.  

It was during this time that the versatile Chef also chanced upon the occasion to cook for high profile dignitaries like Sir John Kotelawala, the third Prime Minister, and Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, the third Governor-General, of Sri Lanka which was still called Ceylon at that point.  He was additionally commended for having researched and presented a traditional meal partaken by Sri Wickrema Rajasinghe, the last King of Sri Lanka.  To this day, when the Sri Lankan government entertains foreign heads of state, Chef Publis is called upon to do the honours.

The master of Sri Lankan cuisine has been instrumental in the introduction and popularisation of gourmet cuisine to his nation.  Chef Publis is widely known for his efforts of introducing Sri Lankan cuisine across the globe through participation in food festivals at renowned hotels in Switzerland, Netherlands, England, Sweden, France, Belgium, China, Japan, Singapore, Pakistan, Maldives, India, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.  He has also organised several international food festivals in collaboration with chef experts from Canada, Germany, Singapore, China and India.  

Chef Publis who will be playing guest chef at Atrium Café’s six-day Sri Lankan culinary affair from Sunday, 16 June to Saturday, 22 June 2013, is excited at the prospect of dishing out his exquisitely spicy and flavourful cuisine, showcasing a tasty array of his very own recipes.  Among others, the menu includes Farmed Prawns with Papaya Salad as well as Fish and Coriander Soup that aptly set the pace for main courses like Old Fashioned Chicken Curry, the mean Devilled Cuttle Fish, rich and creamy Kaju Maluwa (Cashew Nut Curry), Tempered Wing Beans, Mushroom Istharam (Button Mushroom cooked with Chilli, Onion and Garlic) and Mixed Up Cabbage Mallum (Cabbage with Shredded Greens, Onion, Chilli, Fish and Coconut) – all pairing well with Vegetable Fried Rice, and a dash of Eggplant Moju (Spicy Fried Eggplant Pickle) on the side.  Drawing the meal to a close, there are also desserts consisting of Jaggery (Syrup) and Coconut Pudding, Watalappan (Coconut Custard or Caramel), Curd and Treacle (Yogurt and Syrup) as well as a refreshing Tropical Fruit Salad, alongside more offerings.           

Savour Chef Publis’ delightful inspirations from the Isle of Spice served as part of Atrium Café’s Buffet Lunch daily from 12.00noon to 2.30pm on Mondays to Fridays at RM59++ per adult,  Buffet Hi-Tea on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays from 12.00noon to 4.00pm at RM65++ per adult, and Buffet Dinner nightly from 6.00pm to 10.30pm at RM69++ per adult.  

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