FOOD LOVERS were treated to a taste of Sri Lanka on Thursday evening as a Channel 4 hit’s roadshow stopped at Reading.
Come Dine with Me: The Professionals winners Rashinthe Rodrigo and Shamil Fernando brought their winning menu to The Coconut Tree, Kings Road, for visitors to enjoy in-person.
The restaurant founders are taking their dishes, and Hopper Station, to eight Coconut Tree branches across the South. Hoppers are bowl-shaped coconut milk pancakes.
Rodrigo, The Coconut Tree co-founder, said: “This is a chance to invite people from all over the country to join us at our table and enjoy the uniquely Sri Lankan flavours we’re so passionate about here at The Coconut Tree.
“The best way to understand Sri Lankan flavours is to try them, and you can even take them into your own home with our Hopper kits.
“Come Dine With Me: The Professionals was such a brilliant experience. We’re really proud of this menu, and the other contestants gave us such fantastic feedback. Now everyone can try our winning dishes for themselves. We look forward to sharing our authentic Sri Lankan eats with communities far and wide.”
Visitors were able to purchase their own Hopper kits on the night to test their culinary skills at home.
Rodrigo and Shamil scored 38 out of 40 on the show which aired on July 11, with recipes which have been passed down the generations.
Highlights from the menu include Egg Hoppers, crispy fried lamb balls and different Sri Lankan classic curries: Dhal, Mango, Chicken and Cashew.
