Dusit Doha Hotel has announced the appointment of Chef Chamil Balasuriya as Executive Chef of Dusit Doha Hotel – the first Dusit-branded property in Qatar.
Sri Lankan national Chef Chamil, known in the industry for his use of locally sourced quality and organic ingredients, brings to the role 21 years of hospitality and culinary industry experience gained from roles in luxury hotels across Sri Lanka and the Middle East with 10 years’ experience in Qatar.
The holder of a Diploma in International Cookery from the Asia-Lanka Hotel School, Sri Lanka, Chef Chamil began his culinary career at the five-star Kandalama Hotel Dambulla, Sri Lanka before moving to the UAE to join Millennium Hotels. Over his career Chef Chamil has worked for leading hospitality chains including Sheraton and Jumeirah in the UAE, the Shangri-La in Oman before joining W Doha as the pre-opening team’s Executive Sous-Chef.
Chef Chamil is looking to introduce his marquee dishes to the menu of Taste, the Dusit Doha Hotel’s contemporary all-day dining outlet. These will include his personal favourites of king crab citrus salad, fusilli pasta with artichokes, leeks, portobello mushrooms, shaved Grana Padano cheese and thyme oil, and a wagyu tenderloin with smoked pumpkin puree, pommes anna, parsley sponge and beef au jus.
On his appointment, Chef Chamil, said “I am truly excited about this new Executive Chef role for which I hope to create, on a daily basis, unforgettable dining experiences while adhering to the highest quality standards and cost control.
Through my passion for travel, I have gained experience of a wide variety of culinary techniques and creativity which I hope to share with the Dusit Doha team in what will be a continuous pursuit of excellence. This will include delivering on Dusit’s exceptional brand of Thai-inspired cuisine while encapsulating the true essence of Qatari hospitality with cuisine which is based on the country’s much-cherished traditions.
“I intend to harness the passion and creativity of the whole culinary team to make every dish exceptional, leaving guests intent on coming back for more. In the case of the signature Benjarong restaurant, guests can be assured of a truly authentic experience with ingredients such as the distinctive curry pastes and spices, sourced direct from Bangkok.”
More than 10 creative dishes which have won high praise from Benjarong enthusiasts feature on Chef Chamil’s personally-recommended ‘must try’ list including the ultra-comforting Mussaman Ka Kae by Poem of King Rama II which is a lamb shank loving slow cooked for a full 48 hours in homemade massaman curry with potatoes, cashew nuts and cherry tomatoes.
Located in the heart of Doha’s vibrant West Bay area, adjacent to the breezy Corniche, Dusit Doha Hotel is a modern oasis only 20 minutes by car from Hamad International Airport, and just a five-minute walk from Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, the City Center Mall and The Gate Mall, making it a perfect stopover for business and leisure travelers alike.