Meera Sodha's Culinary Journey at Heritance Hotels and Resorts Sri Lanka

Celebrating the connection between food, culture and the timeless architecture of Geoffrey Bawa at Heritance Kandalama and Heritance Ahungalla.

Some journeys are shaped by the places we visit, while others are defined by the flavours, stories and people we encounter along the way. At Heritance Hotels and Resorts Sri Lanka, these elements come together in experiences that celebrate Sri Lanka's rich heritage, distinctive landscapes and vibrant culinary traditions.

Heritance Hotels and Resorts Sri Lanka is delighted to announce its collaboration with Meera Sodha, the London-based bestselling food writer, columnist and television personality, whose work explores the stories and cultures behind the food we share. A passionate admirer of Geoffrey Bawa, Meera will be in Sri Lanka from 23 October to 5 November 2026 for a culinary residency across Heritance Kandalama and Heritance Ahungalla, presenting a special opportunity to explore the relationship between architecture, place and culinary creativity.

A storyteller with a passion for flavour

The author of four acclaimed cookbooks, Meera has built an international following through her thoughtful approach to food and its cultural connections. Since 2017, she has written a weekly food column for The Guardian, with her work also appearing in The Washington Post, The Times and Observer Food Monthly.

Her debut cookbook, Made in India, was named one of The Times' Books of the Year, while Fresh India received the Observer Food Monthly Best New Cookbook Award in 2017. Through her writing, Meera brings together ingredients, traditions and personal stories, inviting readers to discover the meaning and memories behind a meal.

In the spirit of Geoffrey Bawa

For Meera, this journey holds another point of connection: her admiration for the work of Geoffrey Bawa. His architecture, celebrated for its sensitivity to landscape, natural materials and the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces, offers a distinctive lens through which to experience Sri Lanka.

At Heritance Kandalama, Bawa's architectural vision is closely intertwined with the surrounding forest, rock and lake. At Heritance Ahungalla, the coastal setting offers a different expression of his approach, shaped by the rhythms of the ocean and the tropical landscape.

Together, the two properties offer a compelling backdrop for a conversation between design, nature and the island's culinary identity.

A meeting of culinary creativity and Sri Lankan hospitality

From 23 October to 5 November 2026, Meera's culinary residency at Heritance Hotels and Resorts Sri Lanka will bring her together with the resort chefs to explore Sri Lanka's ingredients, flavours and culinary traditions.

During her stay at Heritance Kandalama, Meera will collaborate with the resort's chefs on a specially curated culinary experience, bringing her perspective as a food writer into conversation with the island's ingredients, flavours and traditions.

The programme also includes an intimate cocktail and canapé evening at Heritance Ahungalla, creating an opportunity to share ideas and celebrate the connections between food, culture and place. Through her storytelling, the experience will extend beyond the table, capturing the details of the destination and the inspiration behind each moment.

Discovering Sri Lanka through a different lens

For Heritance Hotels and Resorts Sri Lanka, this collaboration is an invitation to see the island through the eyes of someone who finds meaning in both the everyday and the extraordinary. From the architecture and natural surroundings to the ingredients and traditions that shape a meal, each experience offers another way to connect with Sri Lanka.

As Meera shares moments from her journey with her audiences in the UK, India and beyond, the collaboration will celebrate the spirit of Heritance Hotels and Resorts Sri Lanka: a sense of place, a respect for heritage and the belief that the most memorable experiences are those that bring people and stories together.