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Dining with the Stars at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

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Conrad Rangali

Maldives.net.mv – Conrad Maldives Rangali Island is showcasing a series of unique culinary experiences to excite and inspire its guests’ gastronomical journey over the coming months, further enhancing the resorts’ array of outstanding offerings.

From 8 to 20 October 2015, Vilu Restaurant and Bar will be collaborating with Cloudy Bay Wines to offer an innovative menu dedicated to the tender variety of white asparagus. Guests will be invited to enjoy a specially curated set and a la carte menu where white asparagus takes centre stage alongside culinary delicacies such as black truffle, marinated scallops and Maldivian lobster; with each course expertly paired with wines from acclaimed winery Cloudy Bay from Marlborough, New Zealand. Prices for the six course set menu start from $225 per person included paired wines from Cloudy Bay and a la carte dishes start from $15 with paired wines from only $10 per glass.

From 26 to 31 October 2015, renowned Swedish chef Michael Elfwing from award winning Australian restaurant Cape Lodge, will feature at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island’s globally renowned restaurant Ithaa Undersea Restaurant for the very first time. Ithaa, an architectural marvel that sits five metres below the ocean surface with 180 degree panoramic views of the coral garden, is the perfect setting for Elfwing to showcase his Australian Swedish influenced molecular gastronomy. Highlights of this creative menu will include malossol imperial caviar, seared foie gras with hazelnut espuma, steamed reef fish with lobster and leek terrine, topped off with desserts featuring unusual elements such as crispy parsnip and manjari and Evian water emulsion. Guests can sample Michaels’ culinary creations over a four course lunch with a choice of main dish ($220 per person) or a seven course dinner with a choice of main dish and a glass of rosé champagne ($350 per person).

Conrad

From 17 to 21 November 2015, Michelin Starred Chef, Stéphane Gaborieau, of Le Pergolèse in Paris, will be bringing his creative talents to two of the resort’s dining venues. At Vilu Restaurant & Bar (17-21 November 2015), guests can enjoy Stéphane’s specially devised set-menu, whilst for wine connoisseurs the set menu at The Wine Cellar (17 & 20 November 2015) has been carefully paired with complementary wines by the resorts’ Head Sommelier, Kamal Malik. Following a successful event held at Conrad Hong Kong in June 2015, Stéphane will now be gracing the Maldives with his culinary delights for the very first time.

The announcement of these innovative culinary experiences adds to the roll call of culinary milestones at the resort, including the one year anniversary of Ufaa restaurant, taking place in September. The popular restaurant, which means ‘happiness’ in Maldivian, marks a successful first year of innovative Chinese cuisine, curated by celebrity chef Jereme Leung. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island has also recently won two prestigious accolades at this year’s annual World Travel Awards in the highly coveted categories of Indian Ocean’s Leading Culinary Hotel and Indian Ocean’s Leading Hotel, further strengthening the resort’s culinary credentials.

These events mark an exciting new culinary direction for Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, following the recent announcement of a new Executive Chef, Marco Amarone. From 1 October 2015, Marco will be bringing his wealth of culinary experience to the kitchens of the resort, taking guest’s food and beverage experiences to the next level. Marco joins Conrad Maldives from his homeland of Italy, where he co-owned a restaurant with the Marcopolo Group of Restaurants, Cuneo.

Photos courtesy of Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

Drink

Huvafen Maldives hosts exclusive Riedel Wine experience led by Maximilian J. Riedel

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Huvafen Maldives is hosting an extraordinary wine experience in collaboration with Riedel, the world-renowned Austrian glassware company, led by 11th-generation CEO Maximilian J. Riedel. The exclusive event will take place in Vinum, Huvafen’s underground wine cellar – the first of its kind in the Maldives – offering guests a uniquely immersive setting to explore the art of wine enjoyment.

Over two evenings, Maximilian J. Riedel, the eleventh generation of family owned company RIEDEL, will personally guide an intimate group of guests through a sensory tasting of iconic wines using four distinct glasses from the RIEDEL Veloce collection, highlighting how the shape and size of each glass considerably influences aroma, texture and flavour – a hallmark of Riedel’s renowned approach to wine enjoyment.

Carrying forward a remarkable family legacy, Maximilian leads the Austrian glassware company with great success and a keen spirit for the Zeitgeist. He continues to redefine the so called Riedel Wine Glass Experience. Each year, these comparative tastings inspire, educate, and entertain more than 50,000 participants all over the world.

“Maximilian Riedel’s expertise brings an extraordinary dimension to wine enjoyment,” said General Manager, Noel Cameron. “This partnership aligns perfectly with our philosophy of curating unforgettable, refined experiences for our guests, where every detail, from the wine to the glass, is considered.”

“A glass can make the wine shine or destroy its magic. This is why we at Riedel offer exclusively functional tools. Their only purpose is to support and present the wine in its best possible way,” said Maximilian Riedel. “I am looking very much forward to demonstrate which enormous difference glasses make, in this extraordinary underground setting of Huvafen Fushi. Guests will experience and enjoy how the functional glasses enhance their wine enjoyment.”

For reservations or to explore exclusive packages, please contact the resort’s reservations team at stay@huvafenfushi.com.

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Atmosphere Core celebrates 100th wine masterclass with Bottega Gala Gold event

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A standout achievement in the Maldives’ experience-led hospitality scene, Atmosphere Core has completed its 100th Wine Masterclass as part of the resorts’ signature Holiday Plan. Held at Atmosphere Kanifushi on 6 December 2025, the landmark centenary event, Bottega Gala Gold, offered guests a rare opportunity to meet and engage directly with representatives of one of Italy’s most celebrated sparkling wine makers, while discovering the stories, terroir and craftsmanship behind the label.

What began in September 2021 with a Champagne Guy Charbaut masterclass at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO has since evolved into one of the region’s most distinctive wine-hospitality initiatives. Spanning nine island resorts, all the complimentary wine masterclasses invited in-house guests to enjoy hosted tastings and immersive encounters directly with the company’s partner winemakers.

Over the past four years, Atmosphere Core has forged pioneering partnerships with five terroir producers. Champagne Guy Charbaut (1er Cru Champagne) masterclasses have been held annually since 2021; Bodegas Viñátigo (Canary Islands) since 2022; Glenelly Estate (Stellenbosch) since 2023; Martín Códax (Galicia) since 2024; and, most recently, Bottega SpA a fourth-generation Italian estate, whose masterclasses debuted in 2025. Each partner was selected for its authenticity, expressive terroir, and craftsmanship, qualities increasingly sought by today’s global traveller.

From formal masterclasses and intimate vineyard-style dinners to lively sundowners and gala tastings, Atmosphere Core’s wine experiences showcase the versatility of its partners and the culinary team’s evolving sommelier expertise. In an innovative approach within the industry, all 100 events have been included within the resorts’ signature Holiday Plans.

Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wine at Atmosphere Core, said, “We set out to build a wine culture that allows us to be outrageously creative with the way we pair wines with culinary experiences and tell stories, while being vigorously disciplined in our selection, partnerships, training, and service. Reaching our 100th Wine Experience reminded us why we started. To make wine knowledge accessible, to spark curiosity, and to give generously to our guests and colleagues. That mindset, the Joy of Giving, is what has shaped every single one of these 100 moments.”

Atmosphere Core’s award-winning wine program is designed around three dimensions: in-resort experiences for guests, in-vineyard expeditions for culinary teams, and in-market events with travel and media partners. Together, these threads create an impactful wine culture.

Partner winemakers travel to the Maldives to host masterclasses, while the resort’s culinary teams journey to their vineyards in Europe and South Africa, deepening mutual understanding. Guest feedback has also highlighted the rarity of such terroir-driven offerings being built into a resort island holiday, as curiosity for authentic wines continues to grow globally.

With the successful milestone of its 100th Wine Masterclass now achieved, Atmosphere Core looks ahead to an expanded calendar of planned wine experiences, with the 2026 program currently in development. As the wine program evolves, the Joy of Giving remains at its core, ensuring guests always have something new to discover, one expressive bottle and one memorable story at a time.

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Cooking

TAPASAKE Maldives marks first anniversary with Luca Cinalli guest mixology night

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TAPASAKE Maldives, the destination restaurant set in the private island of One&Only Reethi Rah, will be welcoming internationally renowned mixologist Luca Cinalli to celebrate its 1 Year Anniversary with an exclusive dining experience. On 20th December, Cinalli joins the restaurant’s resident Chef Ahmed Jameel for an immersive cocktail experience, elevated by a one-night five-course anniversary menu.

The first of its kind since the inception of One&Only Reethi Rah, TAPASAKE Maldives re-opened on 20th December 2024 and features breathtaking ocean views, bold contemporary design, and dining experiences and a beverage program that unite the precision of Japan and the soul of the Mediterranean in a flowing exchange of flavour, texture, and culture. In addition to the original restaurant in the Maldives, TAPASAKE also operates in Dubai, Mauritius, and Montenegro.

The exclusive event features the creativity of Luca Cinalli, originally from Lanciano, a small fishing town in Italy, and now globally acclaimed for his work with The World’s 50 Best Bars, including Nightjar and Oriole in London. Guests can experience his inventive and masterful flavours, honed by over 20 years of experience in the hospitality, food and beverage, and bar industries. Cinalli will be collaborating with the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Ahmed Jameel, a native of the Maldives whose culinary work is rooted in balancing both traditional and contemporary Japanese techniques.

Set against the soothing vistas of the azure Indian Ocean, the exclusive cocktail pairing is the leading attraction of the evening’s anniversary celebrations, where expertly paired signature cocktails curated by Cinalli and the TAPASAKE team pair beautifully with dishes like Black Cod Medallion and Sakura Tea-Smoked Wagyu Short Rib. Each cocktail draws inspiration from different elements of TAPASAKE – from its diverse culinary influences and contemporary overwater design to the iconic golden sunsets that have become synonymous with the restaurant. Wave Kiss, for example, is reminiscent of watching waves break over the reef, recreated as an umami-rich liquid foam. TAPASAKE Chocolate, on the other hand, bridges the sweet yet distinctive palates of Japan, the Mediterranean, and the Maldives, blending sake chocolate liqueur and pistachio.

“We are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with Luca Cinalli at TAPASAKE Maldives,” says Jan B. Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah. “With Luca’s creative flair influenced by his years working with The World’s 50 Best Bars paired with our team’s unrivalled service and deep connection with the island, this evening promises a truly special celebration of a remarkable first year.”

The dinner will be held exclusively on 20 December at TAPASAKE Maldives, which will be open from 7.00pm to 10.30pm.

For pre-bookings and more information, please email guest.information@oneandonlyreethirah.com or call +960 664 8800. For more information about the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com.

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