Gastronomy
Dining with the Stars at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island
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).
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
SO/ Maldives unveils Creation Wines five-course pairing evening
SO/ Maldives will host an exclusive Wine Dinner in collaboration with Creation Wines, led by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, founders of the South African winery. The event will take place at Lazuli Beach Club on 5 November 2025, from 18:30 to 22:00, with a beachfront setting designed for an evening of fine wine, culinary craft and storytelling.
Guests will be served a five-course menu, each course created by the SO/ Maldives culinary team to complement selected vintages from Creation. From the first pour to the final course, the pairings highlight a shared commitment between SO/ Maldives and Creation Wines to creativity, authenticity and the art of living well.
Guided by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, the evening will explore the relationship between food and wine, with insights into their winemaking approach, the vineyard, and their journey from South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley to the Maldives.
Creation Wines combines an ancient landscape with a modern estate driven by innovation. Its team draws on the Hemel-en-Aarde terroir to produce wines that aim to be vibrant and expressive, with each bottle telling a story of balance and harmony.
At SO/ Maldives, contemporary design and artistic sensibility provide the backdrop for imaginative experiences. The Creation Wine Dinner reflects this approach, bringing together gastronomy, style and narrative in a single event.
“This dinner is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and connection,” said Nyoman Suandari, Director of Culinary at SO/ Maldives. “Each pairing is designed not only to delight the palate but also to evoke emotion—to capture the essence of both land and sea, and of the artistry that unites us.”
Drink
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI celebrated for wine perfection at global awards
The luxury Maldivian retreat OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has been recognised among the world’s finest dining destinations at the prestigious World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025. The private island resort received dual honours at London’s legendary Savoy Hotel, winning both the ‘Best All-Inclusive Wine List in Asia’ award and the coveted ‘Jury Award’ for its outstanding wine programme.
The World of Fine Wine, a prestigious British publication, website, and app for a global audience of wine enthusiasts, hosts the World’s Best Wine Lists Award. An independent panel of judges consider entries based on criteria like breadth, depth, balance, and originality across 21 categories to celebrate the finest wine lists globally, with winners being recognised by region.
This remarkable achievement places the Maldivian sanctuary alongside the most celebrated restaurants and hotels worldwide, confirming its status as a true destination for wine lovers. The awards come from one of the most respected judging panels in the wine world, featuring Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine and other leading experts who assessed wine lists from across the globe.
“To be honoured with this global recognition for a second consecutive year is both thrilling and deeply humbling,” shares Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines for Atmosphere Core.
“We believe that a perfect holiday should be paired with a perfect glass of wine; it must not feel like an extra, but a natural part of the journey and always available to guests throughout the entire resort. Seeing our team’s dedication, from curating over 100 labels to integrating them seamlessly into the RESERVE™ Plan, celebrated like this is incredibly rewarding. It confirms a simple truth: that world-class wines belong in every instant of a guest’s stay, from their very first toast to their last sunset sip.”
At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, the art of wine is woven into the very fabric of your stay. The journey begins from the time you settle into your villa, where your personal maxi bar with daily refill offers a curated introduction to the resort’s acclaimed collection. This is the essence of the RESERVE™ Plan, a seamless tapestry of over 100 premium wines, champagnes, and spirits that flows effortlessly from the very moment you reach our shores, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.
For those with a passion for discovery, the dedicated CUVEÉ wine library serves as the heart of wine-focused offerings. Here, the expert sommeliers become storytellers, hosting intimate tasting dinners where every exquisite wine is thoughtfully paired with gourmet cuisine, creating memorable chapters in your holiday narrative.
This passion for viniculture extends across THE OZEN COLLECTION. Both OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO bring the vines to the tropics through exclusive events, welcoming renowned vintners like Champagne Guy Charbaut from France and Bodegas Viñátigo from Spain’s Canary Islands for masterclasses and conversations that bring the world’s great wine regions to our shores.
Ultimately, this international recognition affirms something guests have long known, that OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers more than stunning vistas and luxurious accommodations. It provides a complete sensory experience where every glass poured reflects the same dedication to excellence that defines this Maldivian paradise – proving that true luxury lies in these perfectly curated moments.
Drink
Constance Moofushi Maldives celebrates fine wine excellence with Creation Wines
Constance Moofushi Maldives has announced an exceptional wine journey this October, welcoming internationally celebrated winemakers Carolyn Martin and Glenn Martin of South Africa’s acclaimed Creation Wines.
At Constance Hotels & Resorts, gastronomy and wine are at the very heart of the guest experience. Renowned for its award-winning culinary philosophy and meticulously curated wine cellars, the group has established itself as a true pioneer of refined dining in the Indian Ocean. Each experience is designed to celebrate the harmony between exquisite cuisine and world-class wines—a passion brought to life this October at Constance Moofushi through the presence of two remarkable visionaries.
Founded in 2002 on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge of South Africa, Creation Wines has grown into one of the world’s most admired estates. Visionary couple Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin transformed a remote farm into a globally recognized winery, uniting Swiss-trained precision with inspired creativity. Today, their estate is lauded for excellence, sustainability, and immersive guest experiences, earning accolades such as the 2021 Global Winner of the Great Wine Capitals Award for Innovative Wine Tourism.
At Constance Moofushi, the Martins will guide guests through a curated journey of wine and food pairings—an elegant masterclass in storytelling through flavour.
Further affirming its passion for exceptional wine experiences, Constance Moofushi Maldives was recently recognised at the 2025 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards, where its Alizée Restaurant was nominated for and proudly won the “Best All-Inclusive Wine List”.
This accolade highlights Moofushi’s distinctive wine philosophy—an extensive and carefully curated selection of exceptional wines rarely found in all-inclusive resorts, particularly in such a pristine and remote destination.
“This collaboration with Creation Wines offers our guests exclusive tastings and immersive experiences, while also enriching the knowledge of our passionate sommelier team. It is a true reflection of Constance Hotels & Resorts’ spirit—where gastronomy, passion, and timeless moments of indulgence come together in paradise,” said Mevin Ramasamy, General Manager, Constance Moofushi Maldives.
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