VegVoyages Foundation, Vegan Travel Asia, Animal Climate and Health Save Foundation India, The Save Movement, and Thrive Philanthropy in collaboration with Sri Lanka Tourism, have extended their offer of a plant-based culinary course/workshop, tailored specifically for Sri Lanka in both Sinhala and English languages. These workshops are open to the public and are held on 6th and 7th September at Ranbath Organic from 10.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
As a step forward in Sri Lanka’s aspirations of becoming the most vegan-friendly country in the hospitality industry, this workshop is meticulously designed to offer the “much needed global transformation to a plant-based food system along with adopting sustainable practices due to the climate emergency.” A representative from The (Bio) Diversity Project, Clean Ocean Force Lanka, and EarthLanka Youth Network will be present in support of this transformative initiative.
This event offers public workshops for chefs, business owners, and individuals interested in expanding into the plant-based industry, as well as closed workshops for schools and universities. The workshop is free of charge for hospitality industry professionals. Attendees will not only learn about the latest trends but also gain practical skills that can significantly benefit their careers. In a competitive industry, staying ahead of the curve is crucial, and this workshop offers a unique chance to do just that—at no financial cost. The combination of cutting-edge knowledge, career advancement potential, and zero cost makes this a must-attend event for anyone in the hospitality sector.
Speaking on this initiative, Ms. Aprajita Ashish, Regional Liaison (Asia) for the Save Movement and Plant-Based Treaty Campaign, and Director at Animal Climate and Health Save Foundation, said, “This workshop is crucial in the fight against climate change and in promoting sustainability. It aligns with eight of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including responsible consumption and production, climate action, and good health and well-being. By adopting plant-based practices, participants will contribute to a more sustainable future, tapping into the growing vegan market and enhancing their reputation and competitive advantage.”
With Sri Lanka’s aspiration of becoming Asia’s most vegan-friendly country, this initiative provides an opportunity for culinary enthusiasts and professionals in sustainability and hospitality to engage with a rapidly growing global market trend towards a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, it also opens a major avenue for sustainable profit and business growth. The workshop is conducted free of charge with cutting-edge knowledge and completion of the course is sealed with an international certification in sustainability practices.
Mr. Zac Lovas, Co-Founder of Vegan Travel Asia and VegVoyages Foundation, expressed his views, stating, “At Vegan Travel Asia by VegVoyages, we recognize the urgent need to address climate change and its devastating impacts. Our commitment to sustainable travel practices stems from witnessing firsthand the environmental degradation caused by traditional tourism and animal agriculture, including deforestation, pollution, and labour exploitation not only in the West but also in the countries we are guests of.”
Similar plant-based hospitality transformation workshops have been implemented in both Bhutan and India. This initiative received praise from the Bhutanese Tourism Department and its food app partners, while over 50 hotels and restaurants adopted plant-based hospitality as a result of the growing interest among Sri Lankans and foreigners alike. Sri Lanka with its long heritage of vegan cuisine, also has the potential to revitalise this tradition through these workshops.