Drink
Milaidhoo Maldives hosts degustation dinner with renowned Chateau Musar wines
Milaidhoo Island Maldives continues to arrange extraordinary wining and dining experiences for its guests.
The latest was a degustation dinner held in the inspiring setting of Milaidhoo’s Shoreline Grill, with each course accompanied by a wine from the renowned Chateau Musar of Lebanon.
Guests were guided through the tasting of the wines by Gaston Hochar, the present owner and winemaker of Chateau Musar.
Château Musar was established by his grandfather, Gaston Hochar, in 1930, eventually becoming Lebanon’s top wine producer.
The wines of Chateau Musar are unique expressions from a country with an ancient wine-making culture. The property is located in Ghazir, 15 miles north of Beirut overlooking the Mediterranean, whereas the vineyards themselves are located a long and sometimes dangerous truck journey over the mountains to the east of Beirut in the Bekaa Valley. The vineyards benefit from an altitude of around 1,000 metres and the subsequent cool nights serve to lengthen the crucial ripening process.
Musar wines are unique in that Gaston Hochar blends the varietals only after they have spent three years in barrels and then waits a further four years before releasing the end result. This gives time for each variety to unfold its own character. The wines are extremely long-lived, with the best examples lasting for 20-30 years.
The wines of Chateau Musar are unique in style and flavour and Miladhoo’s guests benefitted from Gaston Hochar’s masterclass speech highlighting the complex and fulfilling character of each wine. The wines — white, red and rose — were especially chosen to complement the degustation menu prepared by Milaidhoo’s chefs.
Dishes included smoked salmon tacos and Lebanese garlic dip accompanied by Chateau Musar Musar Jeune Blanc, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2017 and giant prawn ravioli with crustacean foam, paired with Chateau Musar Blanc, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2005.
This was followed by Forest mushroom velouté and Chateau Musar Musar Jeune Rose, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2016. Za’atar marinated braised quail was paired with Chateau Musar Rose, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2004.
Highlight of the dinner was the Sous-vide Tajima full blooded Wagyu Tenderloin with roasted coconut and butternut puree with wild peas, caramelised baby onion and green pepper jus. Glasses of the Chateau Musar Musar Jeune Red, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2016 perfectly enhanced the excellence of the Wagyu beef.
The dinner concluded with an assortment of European cheeses accompanied by the guest’s choice of Chateau Musar wines.

Maldivian-owned Milaidhoo Island Maldives opened in November 2016 and is proudly rooted in local island traditions.
Located in the Baa Atoll’s beautiful UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, each of Milaidhoo’ s 50 private villas have been designed by a Maldivian architect with thatched-roof, spacious interiors, generous private pools , and are serviced by dedicated Island Hosts.
The villas are just a short, barefoot stroll away to three world-class restaurants, non-motorised water sports, fitness centre, spa, yoga and magnificent snorkelling and diving.
A 35-minute seaplane flight from Maldives International Airport, Milaidhoo is a member of The Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Drink
Lily Beach announces guest bartender residency featuring Vyacheslav Kasitsyn
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.
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi showcases mixology collaboration during Easter programme
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.
Cooking
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch
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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