News
Food & Hospitality Asia Maldives (FHAM) 2016 – International Culinary Challenge & Exhibition Opens

Maldives.net.mv – Food & Hospitality Asia Maldives (FHAM) 2016 – International Culinary Challenge & Exhibition has opened at Dharubaaruge Exhibition Hall.
This event will take place from the 22nd to 24th of August 2016 at Dharubaaruge in Male. FHAM will facilitate trade between the exhibitors from all over the world, offering products and services required by the World Class Tourism Industry of Maldives.
The International Culinary Challenge organized in collaboration with the Chefs Guild of Maldives and the Chefs Guild of Lanka will take place as the core of the exhibition. The event attracts as many as 500 Chefs from over 75 Resorts, Hotels and Restaurants in Maldives and the region who will compete for culinary honours. FHAM 2016 International Culinary Challenge & Exhibition is the only event supported by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS). The Culinary Challenge will act as a meeting ground plus an ideal platform for all local and international food and beverage executives to meet chefs and discuss their requirements on a personalized note during the event.

This event is the only event endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) in Maldives and is a highlighted event in their calendar of events stated Dr. Rick Stephens the Continental Director (WACS).
The President of the Chefs Guild of Maldives Ms. Maryam Noordeen stated that it is the official event of the Chefs Guild of Maldives.
A very successful workshop was conducted by Award Winning Chef Dimuthu Kumarasinghe and his team on Advanced Culinary Techniques and preparations of how to participate at an international culinary challenge. This was held on the 22nd of May 2016 at FHTS in Male’.
Mr. Mohamed Ajmal the Managing Director of Dhivehi Expo the organizers of this event stated that this is huge opportunity for the Maldivian Hospitality Industry.
Mr. Imran Hassan the Managing Director of CDC Events stated that it is a great privilege for CDC Events to provide International Networking and Professional Support to Dhivehi Expo Services while contributing to the Hospitality Industry of Maldives. We as a leading professional Exhibition organizer in the South Asia Region, extend our services to Maldives, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Dubai and India. Our ambition to make Food and Hospitality Asia Maldives (FHAM) Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge an Internationally recognized event is achieved with the Endorsement of WACS and complying to its standard. We believe that our contribution towards the continuous improvement of FHAM International Culinary Challenge and Exhibition will be an asset to the Hospitality Industry of Maldives in its development.
Intense buyer promotions were carried out to attract the masses and we are looking forward to enormous turnout.
This event was inaugurated by the Minister of Economic Development Hon. Mohamed Saeed.
The Principal Sponsor of this event Lily International will also be launching its New Logo and Branding exercise at the exhibition. The Platinum Sponsor of the Culinary challenge is Nestle`.
Featured
Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu curate distinct Valentine’s escapes
Coco Collection is inviting couples to mark Valentine’s Day through two distinct expressions of romance at its island resorts, Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu. While each resort presents its own interpretation of love, both are united by a shared focus on authenticity, refined design and intuitive service, offering couples experiences centred on meaningful connection.
At Coco Bodu Hithi, contemporary design is paired with experiences created to encourage closeness and shared moments. Recognised as the Indian Ocean’s Most Romantic Resort 2025 at the World Travel Awards for the second consecutive year, the resort frames each stay around personalised encounters and signature touches designed to feel considered and sincere. These experiences are intended to allow couples to reconnect in an environment that feels relaxed and attentive.
For guests seeking a higher level of privacy, Coco Residence offers a secluded retreat defined by spacious villas, private pools above the lagoon, dedicated butler service and bespoke dining experiences tailored to individual preferences. The enclave is designed to place privacy and personalisation at the centre of the stay.
Coco Bodu Hithi is also recognised for its culinary focus, hosting visiting Michelin-starred chefs whose menus contribute to the resort’s dining programme. Romantic dining experiences take place in overwater and beachfront settings, where carefully prepared menus are complemented by the island’s natural surroundings. Beyond dining, couples are encouraged to unwind through wellness rituals, time spent along the shoreline or guided ocean experiences, with activities designed to support relaxation and shared discovery.
At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, set within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Valentine’s celebrations take on a quieter and more nature-led character. Rooted in sustainability and Maldivian heritage, the resort invites couples to slow their pace and engage with experiences shaped by the island’s environment and traditions.
Romantic moments at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu are expressed through experiences such as private pergola dinners, vow renewal ceremonies at sunset and personalised surprises reflecting each couple’s journey together. From 7 to 14 February, the resort will host a dedicated Valentine’s itinerary designed to foster a reflective atmosphere focused on togetherness and appreciation. Guests are also invited to support marine conservation initiatives, including the ongoing work of the Olive Ridley Project, which is closely associated with the island.
Wellness plays a central role in the Valentine’s offering at both resorts. Coco Spa, set within natural surroundings, provides couples with shared spa journeys featuring treatments and therapies using natural ingredients. Additional experiences at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu include sunrise walks, lagoon swims, guided nature activities and quiet moments designed to restore balance and encourage personal reflection.
Across both islands, Coco Collection presents Valentine’s Day as an opportunity for couples to reconnect through thoughtful experiences, private moments and settings that highlight the natural beauty of the Maldives.
Featured
Francesc Miralles and Numthip Puntha to lead wellness residencies at Amilla Maldives
Amilla Maldives is hosting two visiting wellness practitioners during February and March, offering guests access to tailored therapies focused on balance, vitality and overall wellbeing.
Currently in residence, Francesc Miralles is at the resort from 30 January to 20 February 2026. An internationally recognised wellness consultant from Catalonia, he brings more than three decades of experience across Classical Chinese Medicine, physiotherapy and luxury hospitality. His approach integrates therapeutic movement, seasonal wellbeing and food as medicine, supporting guests in building resilience, restoring energy and achieving a sense of calm. During his residency, guests can book personalised sessions including physiotherapy, postural alignment, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and facial acupuncture, alongside Harmonia classes focused on posture, mindfulness and longevity nutrition.

From 20 February to 25 March 2026, Francesc will be followed by Numthip Puntha, also known as Amp. A highly qualified physiotherapist from Thailand, she specialises in integrative therapies that combine Lifestyle Medicine, Sound Healing and Chi Nei Tsang. Her treatments are designed to support emotional release, detoxification and the restoration of the body’s natural energy flow. Guests will have the opportunity to experience healing massage, lymphatic drainage, Tibetan sound therapy, cranial release, Reiki and Chi Nei Tsang, as well as group sound bath sessions.
These visiting practitioner programmes form part of Amilla Maldives’ ongoing focus on personalised wellness, delivered within the resort’s tranquil island environment. Further information about the resort and its wellness offerings is available via the Amilla Maldives website.
Love
From beachfront dining to spa rituals: Valentine’s Day at The Westin Maldives
As Valentine’s Day approaches, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort invites couples to celebrate their love story in one of the world’s most romantic settings. Nestled in the Maldives’ first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort has curated an exceptional collection of experiences, from intimate beachfront dining under the stars to rejuvenating couples’ spa rituals and exclusive romantic activities. Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to make Valentine’s Day a memory that lasts a lifetime.
For couples seeking the ultimate intimate experience, the resort’s Destination Dinner offers an unparalleled romantic journey by the beach. Set against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean, with the gentle sound of waves and a canopy of stars overhead, guests will indulge in a meticulously crafted seven-course premium tasting menu prepared by a dedicated private chef. This exclusive experience includes one bottle of premium champagne, a romantic beach setup, and a fresh flower bouquet to mark the special occasion. Each course is designed to delight the senses, combining fresh, seasonal ingredients that celebrate both international flavors and local Maldivian influences.
For those who appreciate the artistry of Japanese cuisine, The Pearl restaurant presents a special Valentine’s Day dinner featuring a five-course Japanese set menu showcasing premium ingredients and masterful preparation, complemented by one bottle of champagne to toast to love. Stunning ocean views add the perfect touch, creating a romantic atmosphere.
No romantic escape is complete without moments of pure relaxation and connection. The Westin Maldives’ Heavenly Spa Signature treatment for couples offers an immersive wellness experience designed to bring partners closer together. This treatment delivers effective and immediate relaxation through long, flowing movements and therapeutic techniques at various pressure levels, complemented by enriching oil blends that leave couples with an enhanced sense of well-being. In the tranquil sanctuary of the spa, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives, couples can unwind together and reconnect on a deeper level.
The Valentine’s Day experience extends beyond dining and spa treatments. Couples can enhance their romantic getaway by embarking on a magical sunset cruise as the sun paints the sky in brilliant hues of orange and pink. Alternatively, couples can start the day with a private yoga session, where a wellness specialist guides them through mindfulness and movement.
To make this Valentine’s Day even more special, The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort is offering the “Escape to More” package, featuring a complimentary upgrade to All-Inclusive meal plans with three meals per day, unlimited beverages, and minibar. Couples can retreat to expansive villas, each featuring the signature Westin Heavenly® Bed for restorative sleep, along with panoramic ocean views or direct lagoon access for private swimming and snorkelling.
Plan your romantic getaway at westin-maldives.com.
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