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Maldives to compete for first time at Asian Pastry Cup

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A three-member team is set to represent the Maldives for the first time at the Asian Pastry Cup.

Chef Aminath Hameed from Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, Chef Ibrahim Fareed from Soneva Fushi and Chef Indra Kumar Limbu from Hulhulé Island Hotel (HIH) will compete in the event, held from April 24 to 25 at the Singapore Expo during Food and Hotel Asia 2018.

Their participation is sponsored by leading resort supplier Bestbuy Maldives Pvt Ltd (BBM) and Maldives Exhibition and Conference Services (MECS).

“I believe that it’s a golden opportunity for us to compete in an international platform like this. We as team Maldives will take the full use of this opportunity and look forward to winning or bring a certain level of knowledge into the Culinary Industry. I’d like to thank BBM and MECS for their continuous support throughout this journey,” says Chef Aiminath Hameed.

“Our aim in this prominent Asian competition is to bring honour to our country. I would like to truly thank my family, Soneva Fushi kitchen team, BBM and MECS management and everyone who has helped for this opportunity,” says Chef Ibrahim Fareed.

Commenting on their participation, Chef Indra Kumar Limbu states: “It will be a great experience to meet world-class chefs to exchange ideas and it will help me to grow more to achieve the goals of becoming a world-renowned chef. Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my Hotel, Chef Ravi and BBM for their support.”

The Asian Pastry Cup is a competition held in the same format as World Pastry Cup, one of the most prestigious culinary competitions for pastry chefs. Each team consists of three individuals – two of which will create the showpieces, chocolate cakes and plated desserts, and a jury member who will be part of the judging, which is led by the founder of the World Pastry Cup Gabriel Paillasson.

Associated with the “Club Coupe du Monde”, the Asian Pastry Cup is the official selective platform in Asia to the World Pastry Cup in Lyon. The Asian Pastry Cup aims to:

  • Ignite creativity and interest in culinary art,
  • Raise the status of the pastry industry in the region,
  • Provide a platform for communication and education for pastry enthusiasts in Asia; and,
  • Promote the best Asian Pastry Chef of the year from the region.

BBM together with MECS, the organisers of the the annual Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge, believe in invigorating the skills of the local chefs and improving the Maldivian culinary industry, and have taken this initiative to sponsor the team at the Asian Pastry Cup for the very first time. Apart from this, they have sponsored local chefs to various other competitions in Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

BBM and MECS also take a very keen interest to impart knowledge, skills and latest techniques to the chefs in the island nation, and has conducted a series of Masterclass Workshops of the topmost figures in the global culinary industry such as award-winning Michelin-starred chefs, Bocuse d’Or winners, Culinary Olympic Champions and professors in gastronomy just to name a few.

“For the past few years, we have set our goals to improve and set forth the culinary industry of the Maldives by grooming Maldivians and giving them an opportunity to showcase their skill and artistry in international platforms,” says Mohamed Mazloom, the CEO of BBM.

“We have set the stepping stones in the right direction to further develop the Maldivian Culinary industry into world-class.”

A special training programme will also be conducted at the Hulhulé Island Hotel from March 9 to 12 by award-winning Pastry Chef Leslie Teong and world-renowned Chef Alan Palmer. The four-day training camp will expose Maldivian chefs to the latest techniques and methods of the Pastry.

Ravi Fruit, one of the official founding partners of the Asian Pastry Cup, is represented in the Maldives by BBM who would be jointly hosting this training with MECS.

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The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort introduces ‘The Tastemaker Series’ for 2025

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The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort has unveiled The Tastemaker Series, a new collection of curated experiences scheduled to debut in the final quarter of 2025. The programme is designed to bring together internationally recognised chefs, acclaimed mixologists, renowned wellness practitioners and global tastemakers to create distinctive experiences for the resort’s guests.

The series will commence in November with a Chef Jolly pop-up that will run through December, offering refined interpretations of traditional Indian cuisine alongside special appearances by the celebrated chef. Also in November, Chef Alexander Herrmann, a two-Michelin-starred German television personality, will present a showcase of European culinary artistry, while December will feature Chef Gregory Doyen, the French pastry chef renowned for his sculptural desserts and meticulous craftsmanship.

The culinary calendar will be enhanced by a series of wine dinners. These include the Marco Felluga Wine Dinner, led by Ilaria Felluga, sixth-generation winemaker of the Marco Felluga and Russiz Superiore estates, who will guide guests through a curated tasting of Collio’s finest vintages. Another highlight will be the François Labet Wine Dinner, celebrating the legacy of Burgundy’s historic Château de la Tour, with Labet himself sharing the estate’s long-standing traditions in winemaking.

Beyond gastronomy, the programme will extend into wellness. Guests will be able to take part in personalised fitness sessions with Jono Castano, trainer to Hollywood celebrities, Pilates programmes with Tash and Andre, and holistic therapies delivered by Tricia Tee, Asia’s only certified Seifu practitioner and a leading sound therapist.

Evenings at The Whale Bar will feature mixology takeovers by two of the world’s most acclaimed bars. London’s Satan’s Whiskers, ranked 29th in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, will bring its inventive cocktail craft to the Maldives, while Mexico City’s Licorería Limantour, ranked 32nd globally, will introduce signature creations inspired by tropical ingredients.

Vincent Pauchon, General Manager of The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, said: “The Tastemaker Series embodies our vision of curating unforgettable journeys for our guests. By bringing together globally renowned chefs, mixologists, and wellness experts, we are offering a series of immersive events that blend culture, artistry, and craftsmanship with the signature St. Regis experience.”

Set on a private island, The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort combines contemporary tropical design with local inspiration, seamlessly integrated into the natural beauty of the atoll. The resort comprises 77 villas with ocean or jungle views, each complemented by the personalised St. Regis Butler Service. Facilities include the award-winning Iridium Spa and the resort’s private Azimut Flybridge yacht, offering restorative treatments and bespoke yachting experiences.

With its blend of gastronomy, wellness, and artistry, The Tastemaker Series is positioned to offer discerning travellers a journey of flavour, creativity and cultural exploration, set against the backdrop of the Maldives’ turquoise waters and white sand beaches.

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Just Veg Festival returns to Atmosphere Kanifushi for fifth anniversary

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Atmosphere Kanifushi will mark the fifth anniversary of its Just Veg Festival this October, showcasing once again that plant-based cuisine can be both inventive and memorable.

The festival, taking place from 3 to 9 October 2025, will feature an exclusive ‘Just Veg Festive’ dinner menu curated by Italian chef Fabrizio Marino. The Tuscan chef, recognised for elevating vegan and vegetarian fine dining, is known for his creative approach that transforms fruits, vegetables, and herbs into refined culinary experiences.

Chef Fabrizio’s menu will be complemented by vintages from five wine partners. New to this year’s line-up is Bottega SpA, Italy’s award-winning winery, which will present its wines alongside three artisanal Grappas. Returning partners include Champagne Guy Charbaut, Bodegas Viñátigo, Glenelly Estate, and Martín Códax, offering a broad selection to pair with the dishes.

“Food should thrill you. It should challenge what you think you know,” commented Chef Fabrizio. “It is a privilege to share my culinary philosophy in such a remarkable setting. That is why I continue to return to Just Veg Festival – it is a space where we can experiment, surprise, and create something worth remembering.”

Since its launch, the Just Veg Festival has developed from a niche event into a recognised feature on the international culinary calendar. Atmosphere Kanifushi has built a loyal following by combining hospitality with a strong focus on food experiences, demonstrating that the Maldives is not only about beaches but also a destination where cuisine plays a central role.

“Plant-based dining can support a healthy lifestyle and, most importantly, be rich and flavourful when crafted with imagination and care,” said Raman Gomathi, Director of Food and Beverage at Atmosphere Kanifushi.

The Just Veg Festival 2025 will be held at Atmosphere Kanifushi’s signature restaurant, Just Veg, from 3 to 9 October. Participation in the exclusive dinners will be available to guests through pre-booking as part of the Atmosphere Kanifushi Plan™.

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Sirru Fen Fushi unveils exclusive dining series with Michelin-starred talent

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Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, a secluded sanctuary in the north of the Maldives, will launch The Michelin Series this October, an exclusive celebration of gastronomy that brings some of the world’s most renowned chefs to the turquoise waters of Shaviyani Atoll. The event will give guests a rare opportunity to enjoy a unique dining experience led by internationally distinguished culinary talents.

The Michelin Series will debut with a line-up featuring Chef Tristan Brandt, Chef Valentino Cassanelli, and Chef Jean-Philippe Blondet. Together with the resort’s Executive Chef Girish Sharma, they will create exclusive four-hand dinners and multi-course signature menus at Azure. Guests will be able to watch the chefs bring their creations to life in the open kitchen, set against the turquoise sea in a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere.

This series forms part of the resort’s Sirru Icon Series, a curated programme of high-profile collaborations across gastronomy, fitness, wellness, astronomy and more. Each collaboration is designed to immerse guests in experiences that inspire and engage.

Chef Tristan Brandt will appear on 28 and 30 October 2025. Known for his contemporary French cuisine infused with international influences, Brandt is the culinary mind behind the one Michelin-starred Tambourine Room in Miami Beach. His residency will include both a collaborative four-hands dinner with Chef Girish and a standalone four-course menu showcasing his signature style.

Chef Valentino Cassanelli will follow on 8 and 10 December 2025. Head Chef of the Michelin-starred Lux Lucis at Principe Forte dei Marmi in Italy, Cassanelli is recognised for his modern interpretation of Tuscan cuisine. His residency will feature a four-hands dinner with Chef Girish, offering a journey through Tuscan flavours elevated with creativity.

On 3 January 2026, Chef Jean-Philippe Blondet, Chef Patron at Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in London, will present his philosophy of seasonal, ingredient-driven haute cuisine. In collaboration with Chef Girish, he will lead a one-night dining experience at Sirru Fen Fushi.

Executive Chef Girish Sharma described the vision behind the series as an effort to create more than just dinners, but experiences that celebrate craftsmanship, culture and connection. He emphasised that working alongside such esteemed chefs would allow the team to design menus that surprise and inspire, leaving lasting memories in one of the world’s most remarkable settings.

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