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Hulhule Island Hotel wins Best Culinary Establishment again at the Culinary Challenge 2016

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Maldives Olympians along with Mr. Utkarsh Faujdar – General Manager, HIH and the Winners of Best Culinary Establishment – 2016 Seated (L to R): Mr. Ravi - Executive Chef, HIH, Mr. Mare’ – General Secretary, Maldives Olympic Committee, Mr. Hassan Saaid – Olympian representing Maldives, Mr. Utkarsh Faujdar – GM, HIH, Ms. Aminath Shajan – Olympian representing Maldives, Mr. Ismail Farhan – National Swimming Coach & Mr. K.K. Bajpai – F&B Manager, HIH

Maldives Olympians along with Mr. Utkarsh Faujdar – General Manager, HIH and the Winners of Best Culinary Establishment – 2016

Maldives.net.mv – Come August and we are in for Culinary Competitions at Maldives. However, the Culinary Team at HIH remains quality focussed round the year to be able to win laurels in these competitions. It keeps abreast with the ever changing trends in food and beverage industry, challenging their own previously set benchmarks and creative skills.

This year has been no different for HIH Culinary Team. At the recently concluded FHAM Culinary Challenge, Hulhule Island Hotel bagged the most prestigious award of the ‘Best Culinary Establishment – 2016’.

Team Hulhule Island Hotel’s tally of winning medals in various categories was extremely impressive with a total of 4 Top Honours’ Trophies, 5 Gold Medals, 9 Silver Medals, 18 Bronze Medals and a plethora of Return Tickets, Certificates, Cash Prizes and goodies.

This being the 7th time Hulhule Island Hotel, Maldives was adjudged the ‘Best Culinary Establishment’ in Maldives, is a testament to the exceptional quality of food and beverage offered.

To celebrate the success of these achievements at the Culinary Challenge, commemorating the 16th Anniversary of HIH and aligning it with the participation of Maldives in the recently concluded Rio Olympics, a special function was organized at the Ballroom of HIH on August 30, 2016. The dignitaries gracing the occasion were the national heroes who represented the Maldives at the Olympics – Mr. Hassan Saaid, excelled at 2015 Indian Ocean Island Games & 2016 South Asian Games and Ms. Aminath Shajan, excelled at the South Asian Games & is the current national record holder in swimming. Mr. Marzooq, General Secretary of Maldives Olympic Committee and Mr. Ismail Farhan, the National Swimming Coach were also in attendance.

It was indeed motivating for the enthusiastic team of HIH to hear from these national heroes on being successful in their career. Mr. Hassan Saaid, Maldives National Athlete at Rio Olympics said, ‘If you have a goal set in mind and if you work hard for that, there is no way you cannot reach that goal. Hard work and focus is important’. Ms. Aminath Shajan, Maldives National Swimmer at Rio Olympics said, ‘There is no shortcut to success! You have to put in a lot of effort with the focus of what you are to achieve’. Mr. Marzooq gave an emotional speech on how struggle and hard work leads to success while thanking HIH for inviting, recognizing and encouraging the Maldives Olympic Squad.

Mr. Utkarsh Faujdar, General Manager HIH congratulated the Culinary Challenge Winners and addressed the entire Team HIH to seek inspiration from the Olympians present, he thanked and congratulated the Maldives Olympic Squad as well. Apart from Mementos presented to the Maldives Olympic Squad, Mr. Utkarsh Faujdar offered Mr. Saaid and Ms. Shajan with complimentary dinner vouchers for Thursday weekend buffet at the signature restaurant Uduvilaa and membership of swimming pool and gymnasium at HIH.

The celebration ended on an equally enjoyable note with Maldivian short-eats, Sharubath on offer and loads of casual interaction and selfies between the celebrity Olympians of Maldives and the jubilant Team HIH.

Photo courtesy Hulhule Island Hotel. Seated (L to R): Mr. Ravi – Executive Chef, HIH, Mr. Mare’ – General Secretary, Maldives Olympic Committee, Mr. Hassan Saaid – Olympian representing Maldives, Mr. Utkarsh Faujdar – GM, HIH, Ms. Aminath Shajan – Olympian representing Maldives, Mr. Ismail Farhan – National Swimming Coach & Mr. K.K. Bajpai – F&B Manager, HIH

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SO/ Maldives unveils Creation Wines five-course pairing evening

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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.”

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OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI celebrated for wine perfection at global awards

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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.

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Constance Moofushi Maldives celebrates fine wine excellence with Creation Wines

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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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