Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) welcomes Chef Romain Dupeyre, executive chef and founder of Michelin-starred Racines in Hong Kong, to the Maldives.

On 20 September, Chef Dupeyre will lead the inaugural masterclass at the ‘Studio of Culinary Excellence’, a model kitchen donated by BBM to the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies (FHTS) at The Maldives National University (MNU).

The masterclass will feature a live cooking demonstration followed by an interactive food appreciation session. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

After the masterclass, Chef Dupeyre will head to Atmosphere Sangeli to host a guest culinary event.

A native of Nice on the Mediterranean coast in the South of France, Chef Dupeyre began his career at 15 as an apprentice at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant, La Chèvre d’Or. He later worked in Ireland, Paris, Melbourne and Bangkok before moving to Hong Kong in 2019, where he was the chef de cuisine at Petrus in the Island Shangri-La.

In November 2022, he founded Racines, a restaurant inspired by the culinary traditions of southern France. Racines earned its first Michelin star in 2024 and retained the distinction in 2025 and 2026.

The Studio of Culinary Excellence is an initiative by the Chairman and Managing Director of BBM, Mr Ismail Hilmy. The Studio gives culinary students access to world-class facilities and training aligned to international industry standards.

Bringing leading international chefs to the studio is central to this initiative. Chef Dupeyre’s visit marks the first step in that programme.

BBM is a leading importer and distributor serving Maldivian hospitality, food-service, FMCG retail and consumer-durables sectors. The company represents a broad portfolio of international brands and provides products and solutions to businesses throughout the Maldives.

Through its philosophy, “…because tomorrows start today,” BBM supports initiatives that promote long-term industry development, professional growth and opportunities for the people and communities connected to the Maldivian hospitality sector.

This September, The Standard, Huruvalhi Maldives invites guests to raise a glass, chase unforgettable moments, and embrace the resort’s signature playful spirit as Oktoberfest and Negroni Week arrive in paradise alongside a lineup of island adventures, social gatherings, and exclusive experiences.

From 19 September to 4 October 2026, Oktoberfest takes centre stage with daily beer-inspired celebrations, bringing together great food, ice-cold pours, and good company against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile, cocktail enthusiasts can celebrate Negroni Week from 21 to 27 September 2026, discovering the timeless Italian classic reimagined in true Standard style.

At the heart of the Oktoberfest festivities is Todis Bar, where guests can enjoy a daily Happy Hour featuring refreshing beers and lively island vibes at sunset. Guests can also indulge in specially curated Beer Pairing Lunches at Joos Café, showcasing hearty favourites including gourmet hot dogs, German bratwurst, and shareable plates designed for gathering friends and loved ones around the table.

“At The Standard, Maldives, every celebration is an opportunity to connect, explore, and create memorable moments together,” said Nandakumar Dharuman, the resort’s Director of Culinary. “Whether guests are toasting Oktoberfest, enjoying a perfectly crafted Negroni, or setting off on a marine adventure, this season is all about bringing people together in a fun and unexpected way.”

Beyond the food and beverage experiences, guests can seamlessly combine the festivities with the resort’s signature island adventures. After all, a Maldives holiday is best enjoyed in and around the water. From snorkelling vibrant coral reefs and discovering the region’s marine wonders to unforgettable excursions in Hanifaru Bay, every experience offers a new opportunity to explore paradise. Guests can also join exhilarating manta ray excursions and glide alongside these gentle giants, with experiences available through the resort’s dive centre.

The Sip & Chat Cocktail Party, held every Monday, is another experience not to be missed. This lively social gathering brings together guests and members of the resort’s management team for an evening of cocktails, conversations, surprises, and exciting lucky draws. It is the perfect opportunity to mingle, share stories, and experience the warm, welcoming personality that defines The Standard.

Those seeking a more intimate celebration can elevate their stay with the resort’s Floating Sunset Sparkle experience. Set within the privacy of a villa pool, guests can enjoy house champagne and a selection of curated canapés while soaking in the magic of a Maldivian sunset, creating an unforgettable moment for couples and special occasions.

Whether sipping a Negroni at sunset, sharing a beer over lunch, connecting with fellow travellers, or discovering the natural beauty of the Maldives, guests are invited to celebrate September the Standard way: relaxed, playful, and anything but standard.

Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives will celebrate Thanksgiving for the first time this November, as growing interest from the United States creates a new opportunity for the boutique island resort to welcome American travellers over the holiday.

Taking place on Thursday, 26 November 2026, the celebration will centre around a special Thanksgiving Dinner at FireDoor, Grand Park Kodhipparu’s signature overwater restaurant, bringing couples, families and groups of friends together for an evening of shared dining overlooking the Indian Ocean.

The family-style menu gives Thanksgiving a distinctly Kodhipparu interpretation, with dishes including roasted shrimps, home-cured salmon and artichoke mille-feuille, lobster with mushroom ravioli, sautéed Hokkaido scallop, beetroot risotto with feta cheese, roasted beet and beet leaves, and sous-vide lamb shank, followed by a chocolate dessert.

“Thanksgiving is fundamentally about gathering, sharing and taking time for the people who matter,” said Raffaele Solferino, General Manager of Grand Park Kodhipparu Maldives. “As we welcome growing interest from the United States, it felt like the right time to bring this celebration to Kodhipparu for the first time and give our guests the opportunity to mark the occasion together in the Maldives.”

For American travellers making the long-haul journey, the resort’s location offers an important advantage. Grand Park Kodhipparu is just 20 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, with no onward domestic flight or seaplane journey required. Its boutique scale of 120 villas combines pool and overwater living with personalised service, an easily accessible house reef, wellness and island dining.

Guests can turn Thanksgiving into a longer Maldives escape with 30% savings on stays of four nights or more, while those planning more spontaneously can enjoy 15% savings when booking within 21 days of arrival.

The Thanksgiving Dinner at FireDoor takes place from 6.30pm to 10.00pm on 26 November 2026 and is offered as a supplementary dining experience, priced at USD 110++ per person. For reservations and further information, contact rsvn.gpkd@parkhotelgroup.com.