About Rustic

Ceylon Rustic Guide is not just a Culinary Tourism brand; we are Sri Lanka’s culinary archivists. For over a decade, we have been dedicated to documenting, preserving, and sharing the authentic edible history of this island.

While our roots are in tourism, our heart is in heritage. We bridge the gap between the traveler and the true soul of Ceylon—the farmers, the history, and the pots simmering in village kitchens.

Our journey began in 2014, a time when “culinary tourism” in Sri Lanka was virtually non-existent.

Our team, having worked with the country’s leading destination management companies, noticed a significant void. While Sri Lanka was famous for its spices, travelers were rarely given the chance to truly taste the culture. “Cooking experiences” at the time were merely staged, 30-minute demonstrations—passive, pre-prepared, and disconnected from reality.

We sought to change that. We launched Rustic Food Experiences, pioneering the country’s first fully hands-on cooking class combined with a local market tour. We didn’t just show guests food; we took them into the mud of the markets and the heat of the clay-pot kitchen.

This initiative sparked a movement. Before TripAdvisor even recognized “Cooking Classes” as a major category in 2015, we were already tending the fire, setting the standard for what authentic food tourism could look like.

As the appetite for our experiences grew, so did our mission. What started as a single cooking class has evolved into a broader dedication to Sri Lanka’s culinary identity.

To honor this growth, we have separated our operations to serve you better:

• The Experience: Our signature Rustic hands-on classes and market tours now live at our dedicated partner venue, Colombo Cooking Class

• The Knowledge: Ceylon Rustic Guide remains the home of our research, our stories, and our bespoke food journeys.

Today, we focus on Culinary Research and Heritage Storytelling. We explore the lost ingredients, document the ancient methods, and curate rustic food tours that go beyond the plate. We are here to tell the story of Sri Lanka, one flavor at a time.