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Saeed Mohamed Wins as Most Outstanding Chef at Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge 2011

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Maldives Promotion House – The Hotel Asia Exhibition is the single largest event in the Maldives that showcases food, drink, foodservice, hospitality and hotel equipment industries.

The culinary challenge is one of the highly anticipated events at Hotel Asia where many chefs from the local resorts and hotels take part vying for top honours. The challenge which went on for three days has concluded.

Saeed Mohamed of Hulhulé Island Hotel was chosen as both the Top Maldivian Chef and the Most Outstanding Chef. Hulhulé Island Hotel won as the Best Culinary Establishment.

The challenge is divided into 16 classes. These include, Dress the Cake, Novelty Cake, Fruit & Vegetable Carving, Desserts, Bread & Pastry Display, Hot Cooking – Lamb, Hot Cooking – Seafood, Hot Cooking – Poultry, Hot Cooking – Beef, Student, Creative Salads, Maldivian Dish, Team Challenge, Hot Appetizers, Vegetarian, and Cocktails.

Awards will be given to the Most Outstanding Chef, Top Maldivian Chef, and the Best Culinary Establishment. A best chef will also be chosen from each of the classes and will be awarded trophies.

The challenge provides an excellent opportunity to meet hundreds of food and beverage executives over a span of three days making it a dynamic marketplace for face-to-face business and industry innovation.

During an exclusive interview with Maldives Promotion House, Chef Alan Palmer said that the event brought together rising chefs from different parts of the world.

“The number of participants is growing each year. We have more chefs participating than exhibitors. This year we had some 350 chefs. We also had some very good Maldivian chefs as well,” Palmer said.

He also noted that the major problem faced by the event organisers is the lack of space for the Culinary Challenge. “While we surely will have more chefs coming in for the next challenge, we fear we may not have enough space to host the event,” Palmer noted.

The judging panel was lead by world renowned Chef Alan Palmer, Chef and member of the World Association of Chefs Society (WACS). The culinary contest was organised by Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services (Pvt) Ltd (MECS), a subsidiary of South Asia Exhibition Services (Pvt) Ltd based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

HOTEL ASIA WINNERS LIST

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Lily Beach announces guest bartender residency featuring Vyacheslav Kasitsyn

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Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced an exclusive guest bartender residency featuring Vyacheslav Kasitsyn, one of the most prominent figures in Moscow’s contemporary bar scene, from 2nd to 10th May 2026.

Vyacheslav is the Bar Manager of The Carlton Lounge & Bar at The Carlton, Moscow, one of the city’s most sophisticated social destinations. He began his career at the award-winning City Space Bar, recognised both in Russia and internationally, before contributing to a number of standout bar and restaurant projects at Lucky Group.

Renowned for crafting modern classics with precision and narrative depth, Vyacheslav’s cocktails reflect refined technique, contemporary elegance, and a strong sense of place. Each creation tells a story-balancing innovation with timeless style, elegance and style.

During his residency at Lily Beach, guests will experience a curated cocktail menu inspired by Moscow’s dynamic bar culture, reimagined within the island’s luxury setting. Exclusive evening showcases and limited-edition signatures will highlight his artistry.

This special collaboration underscores Lily Beach’s commitment to delivering elevated culinary and beverage experiences -where global expertise meets barefoot Maldivian luxury.

At Lily Beach the Platinum Plan seamlessly unites exceptional dining with premium inclusions, creating one of the Maldives’ most distinguished all-inclusive experiences. Guests indulge in diverse buffet and à la carte offerings across multiple restaurants, complemented by an extensive selection of premium wines, spirits, signature cocktails, and a replenished minibar. Elevating the culinary journey further, Les Turquoise d’Aqua proudly received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2024, underscoring the resort’s commitment to world-class wine curation. From elegant beachfront dinners to relaxed overwater settings, every moment is thoughtfully crafted to deliver refined flavour, variety, and effortless luxury.

For reservations and further information, please visit the resort’s website.

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Sirru Fen Fushi showcases mixology collaboration during Easter programme

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Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort hosted a two-day Behind the Bar experience as part of its Easter programme, bringing together contemporary mixology and craft-led guest experiences.

The event featured collaborations with Modernhaus, led by Bar Manager Upay Aldi, and The Cocktail Club, represented by Co-Founder Mirwansyah Bule, both from Indonesia. Over two evenings, guests were invited to engage with the bartenders’ techniques, flavour profiles and creative processes, with Modernhaus recognised among Asia’s 50 Best Bars.

The programme included a curated selection of cocktails prepared using ingredients such as cempaka-infused whisky, hibiscus ginger maple, wasabi spirit, jasmine peach, coconut chai milk, salted tamarind, yuzu whey, salted fino sherry, sake gomme, guava vodka, Thai tea liqueur and malic. The offerings reflected a combination of tropical elements and contemporary mixology methods.

The first evening took place at Kata, the resort’s Japanese-fusion restaurant, where the experience was set against sunset views over the lagoon. The second evening was held at Raha Market in a beachside setting, offering a more informal atmosphere while maintaining the focus on crafted cocktails.

The event formed part of Sirru Fen Fushi’s ongoing programming, which centres on curated guest experiences and collaborations with international talent in food and beverage.

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Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch

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Modern travellers increasingly view a destination as a collection of flavours to be explored, often reserving their dining experiences at the same moment they book their stay to ensure a true sense of discovery.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has embraced this trend, aligning its “Premium Island Experience” with exclusive chef residencies that transform an island stay into a sophisticated, curated sensory adventure. This approach reflects the resort’s core philosophy in reimagining the guest experience in its 15 dining venues and bars.

Central to this refined vision, the resort’s Easter programme debuted with a bespoke four-course residency masterminded by Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch. Collaborating closely with Executive Chef Putu Wijana and Beverage Manager & Sommelier Sunil Kumar, Pietsch ensured every ingredient achieved a sensual harmony with its chosen vintage pairing—a true study in the art of culinary chemistry.

The residency was hosted at Islander’s Grill, the resort’s beachfront destination, where the “Land & Sea” menu showcased technical precision through signatures such as Hand-Cut Beef Tartare finished with a silken yolk and garden botanicals; Lightly Cured Cod jewelled with Beluga Caviar; and a succulent Beef Cheek with Seared Foie Gras and winter truffle.

The experience concluded with a Topfen Dumpling accented by papaya, yogurt, and almond. The menu featured curated pairings, including French Champagne and a selection of prestigious French and Italian wines.

“We strive for a synergy between Michelin-standard precision and the evocative pulse of local and regional provenance. This marriage of world-class craft enables us to elevate our flavour profile, establishing a new lineage of bespoke dishes that honour our heritage while setting a sophisticated benchmark for the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi dining experience,” highlighted Abdulla Atham, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort Manager.

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