“On every serving, on every dish, are a farmer's hopes for his children.” - Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe, Poet.

Saaraketha was the Official Food Designer for the Sri Lanka’s biggest fashion event of the year, Sri Lanka Design Festival (SLDF); which was held from the 16th – 20th November 2011 with the participation of both local and international creative industry heavyweights, leading businesses and individuals from around the globe.

SLDF 2011 was supported by the Sri Lankan Government with the objective of positioning the country as a global hub for ethical sourcing, green industries and green tourism. The festival’s agenda supports the development of the country by using design as a value addition.

Saaraketha, a global social sustainable enterprise (GSSE) which works with the community small holder farmers was the ‘official food designer’ for the event. In collaboration with food artisans and culinary specialists; Saaraketha showcased a series of artistically presented slow, sustainable food items made with quality, ethical and locally sourced products; bringing in fusion between sustainable fashion and sustainable while creating awareness for sustainable consumption that will empower sustainable production methods amongst the farming community.

The dining experience of the 2011 Design Festival was designed; choreographed and managed by Saaraketha with culinary designs by Indika Jayawardena the Executive Sous Chef of the Mount Lavinia Hotel and the food concept by Ramya Chamalie Jirasinghe.

The sustainable food craft designed presented at SLDF 2011 is a national Terra Madre event produced in collaboration with the Slow Food Colombo Convivium and the Slow Food International.

Click here to see the images of the event.