By Neeraj Nanda
MCG, Melbourne, 17 January: Cricket Australia’s new fan initiative ‘Field of Flavours’ took off with a bang here today, offering cricket fans an extensive range of international cuisines and cultural entertainment. Perth has already experienced it and after Melbourne it goes to Sydney through the current One Day International series between Australia and India.
At the head of this is the half Sri Lankan celebrated celebrity chef and Field of Flavours ambassador, Peter Kuruvita, who attended the Melbourne food market and ODI on Sunday.
Talking to SAT, Peter said, “ We want action not just on the field but outside laced with food flavours of different countries and convert it into a festival. We give cricket fans what they ask for and the vegetarian option is there. A Sri Lankan fan told me we get bags and bags of food but now we can go and eat enough food at the MCG.”
“ There are six restaurants with so many options and value for money,” Peter said.
Outside of his various roles as an acclaimed chef, restaurateur, author and TV presenter who spends his time between restaurants in Australia and Fiji plus tours through Sri Lanka, Peter’s also a massive cricket fan and has prepared meals for friends such as Kumar Sangakarra and Mahela Jayawardene!
Explaining the concept, Peter said, “ The Field of Flavours idea came from Cricket Australia as the cricket fans were asking for more variety of food. They listened to their fans and the idea became a reality. We have Indian, Jamaican and Chinese food, which reflects our multicultural ethos.
“It’s not just food but entertainment. People see the match on the big screen and enjoy the food as well as the match. We have two Indian outlets with curries, Samosas, Masala Chutney but next time we will also have Sri Lankan food.”
“Food,sport and entertainment can cure many problems in the world”, he told SAT.
A smiling and confident Peter says The Field of Flavours is a potpourri of Cricket, food and music. Much more is coming, he says.
