Esteem Magazine

When CBP is Gourmet

Whether it be entertaining friends or indulging with the family, an inherently Sri Lankan dessert like Chocolate Biscuit Pudding is a staple on any table. Fondly known as CBP the layers of crunchy biscuit and decadent chocolate cream is loved by all. In fact most families have their own versions of this classic, with twists of their own and secret ingredients.

Gourmet CBP is run by a close knit family with 2 small children and its priority has always been family-first. They’ve now expanded their range to so many varieties available in various serving size as well. We decided to try quite a few from their repertoire and were definitely not disappointed.

Our order consisted of Original and Mocha Cream Family packs which generally serve four unless you are like us and don’t share anything that has chocolate in it! Staying true to the origins of Chocolate Biscuit Pudding the original is creamy goodness sandwiched between layers of the good ol’ Marie biscuits. We like this one particularly because it’s packed with nostalgia and gives us lots of warm, homely feelings. If you want more of a kick and jump start from your CBP, then the Mocha Cream is exactly what you need. This one worked best for us when you have a deadline to meet and can’t afford to fall asleep!

Gourmet CBP also does decadent individual CBP jars in a variety of flavours. We got ourselves a Strawberry Swirl, White Chocolate, Brownie Bites, Triple Chocolate Ganache, and Milo Crunch. That’s a lot of chocolate but all very good chocolate!

If you love the combination of chocolate and strawberry then the Strawberry Swirl has a nice fruity surprise for you at the bottom of the jar. Bits of strawberry can also be found in the luscious cream so you have a flavour bomb in every bite. For those who prefer the lighter taste of White Chocolate, this version is a sure winner and since we have an “I eat only white chocolate!” weirdo in-house, needless to say this one was wolfed down in one sitting. The feedback was a facial expression that is hard to describe!

Kids will definitely love the Brownie Bites and the Milo Crunch because the added layers of chocolate will definitely have them all smiles. The bits of Brownie in the layers also serves to bring out the child in even the moodiest adult. Our favorite though was the Triple Chocolate. I mean can you even ask for anything more???? The layers were super creamy and every bite was heaven.

We loved our experience with Gourmet CBP and are thrilled that they have also just launched their own website so that ordering is a breeze. Try is out at https://gourmetcbp.appigo.co/webstore/

Gourmet CBP is also on Instagram and Facebook while they also carry out deliveries through AppiGo Rush, Ubereats and PickMe food. Operating from its home location in Battaramulla, they also have a small store at the Arcade Independence Square. Inquiries can be directed to [email protected] or via Whatsapp on 0777689369.

Gourmet CBP

Colombo Club, Sri Lanka’s oldest private member club re-threads 150 years of journey mileposts

There are a few institutions that can claim to have had Governors of our Country such as Rt. Hon. Sir William Henry Gregory, Sir James Robert Longden and Hon. Sir Arthur Hamilton Gordon as original members. The Colombo Club, in its 150 year journey, has been attracting prominent persons of the day, such as J. A Bell, President of Planters’ Association, T. Berwick, District Judge of Colombo, Sir Richard Cayley, Municipal Councillor, later Chief Justice of Ceylon, from its British roots, later attracting corporate luminaries such as Mallory Wijesinghe, who had the distinction of being the club’s first Sri Lankan chair. He was followed by others who have helmed many of the nation’s leading business houses and professional firms.
The roll call of Chairmen of the Colombo Club reads like a veritable who’s who of Sri Lanka. R. Singleton-Salmon, Mallory Wijesinghe, Ranjan Canekeratne, Trevor Moy, Basil Jesudason, Deshabandu Reggie Candappa, Deshamanya Deva Rodrigo, Tissa K. Bandaranayake, Hemaka Amarasuriya, Richard (Dickie) Juriansz, Sega Nagendra, Manik Pereira, Nigel Austin to the current Kumar Jayasuriya, all captains of their industries, contributed immensely of their time and effort in maintaining the aura and prestige of the club.

First as a gentlemen’s club and now an exclusive, private member institution, Colombo Club remains a luxurious and discreet oasis in the heart of Colombo.

To mark its 150th anniversary, a coffee table edition that re-threads the club’s journey mileposts, reflecting how it fitted into the larger fabric of British Ceylon, as the Country transited from a crown colony to a democratic republic, will be inaugurated.

The book captures the essence of a bygone era and brings to life the culture and current offering of the club, vividly capturing the fact that the Club is not just a relic of Sri Lanka's colonial past but a strong reminder of our heritage and a reassurance of the future.

It takes us on a blissful journey on how the club started in colonial times and traces the economic situation of the era, to what it is today. The story of the Colombo Club’s journey over 150 years records the ups and downs, its place in colonial times and the emergence of a club for all seasons – one which is the exclusive domain of the nation’s crème de la crème in social, professional and business circles.

"Today, the club’s esteemed membership comprises the upper echelons of Sri Lanka’s corporate and state sectors: the club is their second home – an exclusive venue to relax, conduct meetings, and wine and dine in amiable company. It follows that the club can proudly proclaim that many business deals, which have transformed the nation’s business landscape, have taken shape in a private meeting room within its premises," said Kumar Jayasuriya, Chairman of Colombo Club.

With exclusive excerpts from life members - Deshamanya Sohli Captain and Deshamanya Deva Rodrigo from joining the club as youngsters to seeing it grow to the establishment it is today, the coffee table book is an illustrious and insightful outlook on the indefatigable spirit that sustains the club.

Originally set up as The Assembly Rooms Company in 1869, with Governor Sir Hercules Robinson as its President, the original building, now part of the Taj Samudra hotel is a heritage site. The Colombo Club itself was inaugurated in 1871 and is one of Asia's oldest social clubs with a membership of 500 of both men and women.

Inside The Mind Of TammyZ

By Michelle Therese Alles

The name ‘TammyZ’ is no stranger to fashionistas of bling here in our sunny isle, so we figured it was time to sit down and ask her what it’s like running her own business, and how she’s grown her brand to where it is today.

Tell us about TammyZ

‘TammyZ’, formerly known as ‘TZ’, is in fact my name. I started TammyZ in 2013 because I’m an online shopaholic! My little addiction paved the way for TammyZ to become the brand it is today. I started shipping items for my friends who liked whatever I was wearing or styling. When the orders I received started increasing, I decided to make it official and TammyZ was created.

How does TammyZ stand out amongst its competitors?

TammyZ doesn’t compete with other brands! We always wish upcoming brands nothing but success. I would say a little competition is always good to keep us on our toes. All good ideas and brands are competitive; it’s their distinctive individuality that makes them stand out. TammyZ has been around for years, which gives us an advantage in dealing with our specific market, since we have the experience that gives us unique insights into situations, trends, and customer needs. We learned to keep track of our competition, but ignored the noise, because at the end of the day it’s not what the competitors do, but rather what we do that matters the most.

Did you have any concerns when starting TammyZ? If so, what were they?

TammyZ, like every other business, had a lot of issues and concerns at the start. We began selling our products at a time when online shopping in Sri Lanka was just taking off, and the concept of ordering items via a website or a social media site was alien to many. Therefore, we had to build confidence and trust amongst our customers, who were only used to purchasing from a physical store, and also retain these customers so that they would keep shopping with us. Today, with paid boosting options on Facebook and Instagram, reaching a target audience of customers is so much easier. This wasn’t always the case. Initially, marketing products online wasn’t easy when Instagram was new and Facebook marketing, boosting, pages and groups didn’t exist. We had to rely on good reviews and word of mouth when we commenced online operations. In addition, there were no delivery companies, and options like cash on delivery were not even heard of. Everything was a struggle. But I never gave up and I kept pushing through.

What has been the greatest achievement of TammyZ so far?

I think TammyZ is a brand that has gone from strength to strength. We appreciate all the lessons we have learned over the years. And even the smallest achievement means a lot to us. Every single customer, every single sale, is an achievement to us. We have had the privilege of having our products featured on the Miss World stage, on former Miss Sri Lanka Nadia Gyi, and many other beauty queens in world pageants representing Sri Lanka. We have been featured on cover images of leading magazines, and we have collaborated with so many local brands, stylists, video directors and influencers, all of which for us, amounts to our success today.

How did you, as a business, unclutter all the concerns brought by the pandemic?

The pandemic has brought countless issues to not only us, but so many businesses! However, as a responsible business, we believe in ensuring the safety of both our customers and staff. To do this, we follow all health guidelines issued accordingly; this has caused a temporary setback, but we know it’s the only way to move forward until we are able to live and run our business like we used to. We need to follow proper health measures, and understand that this is how we can move forward.

Do you think the time spent at home by people will result in dramatic changes in the fashion industry?

We can see it happening already: online shopping is an everyday occurrence, and we will keep adapting and implementing new operating procedures that serve our online clientele. From ‘live’ marketplaces on social media and virtual fashion shows to 3D store marketing concepts, we see the entire industry beginning to evolve and we are excited to keep up with these new trends.

What’s the most important thing TammyZ is working on right now and how is the brand making it happen?

Right now, the most important thing we are working on is tackling covid-related issues to the best of our ability. We already have a strong client base that has been supporting us right through our journey pre-covid and even during the pandemic. We hope to incorporate that with our social media presence to make sure our customers receive the best service that is safe and yet affordable during these difficult times.

TammyZ has come a long way. In the coming years, what would it like to achieve?

Our next plan is to take TammyZ to the international market. We have been working on this move for a long time. We have many international clients, and we would love nothing more than to be able to serve them better by taking our brand closer to them.