Featured
Huvafen Fushi chef becomes Maldives’ first member of World Master Chefs Society
Pioneering Maldives icon, Huvafen Fushi, has announced that Executive Chef Ashish Domee has become the first Maldives-based member of the prestigious World Master Chefs Society; a leading global honours society for exceptionally skilled professional chefs.
Establishing him the same company as Michelin-starred talents such as Daniel Clifford and Paul Croasdale, Chef Ashish’s trailblazing induction is testament to the exceptional quality of the culinary offering he leads across Huvafen Fushi’s tantalising array of restaurants.
The collective expertise of the World Master Chefs Society’s highly qualified founders, patrons and life voting members guarantees its reputation and recognition as an authority by the hotel and catering industry.
Membership is based strictly on high qualifications, career achievements and managerial recommendations, and aims to cultivate a vibrant union of talented professionals who are dedicated to advancing the culinary arts.
Once a member, World Master Chefs are encouraged to foster their culinary wisdom and creativity within their kitchens and communities, and share their wealth of knowledge, experience and ability to promote the social, educational, environmental and inspirational impact of the industry.
Many of the World Master Chefs Society’s influential members have gone on to achieve international award recognition, including the likes of Daniel Clifford, Chef Patron of two-Michelin starred restaurant Midsummer House, Cambridge; Paul Croasdale, Chef Patron of Essex’s renowned Flitch of Bacon; and celebrity chef Cyrus Todiwala OBE DL, proprietor of Café Spice Namasté, London.
Mauritian-born Executive Chef Ashish Domee first started cooking at eight years old, and by the age of 14 had already decided that he had to be a chef.
After graduating from the Ecole Hôtelière Sir Gaëtan Duval in Ebène, Mauritius and Hotelschool The Hague, the aspiring young Chef’s dream came true with a two-year apprenticeship with Chef Robert Lalleman, Maitre Cuisinier de France, Chef & owner of the Michelin-starred Auberge de Noves.
After honing his skills in the kitchens of luxury resorts in Mauritius, Seychelles and the Middle East, working alongside several Michelin-starred chefs and building on his talent for classical French and Mediterranean cuisine, Chef Ashish arrived in the Maldives in 2012 as Chef de Cuisine at The Residence Maldives Falhumaafushi.
After travelling through Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore, immersing himself in Southeast Asian cuisine, Chef Ashish returned to the Maldives in 2016 as Executive Sous Chef at Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa in the Maldives, progressing to his first Executive Chef role at The Residence Maldives Dhigurah before joining the legendary Huvafen Fushi in 2020.
Chef Ashish is responsible for developing the menus across Huvafen Fushi’s six gourmet restaurants and bars from Salt, the resort’s renowned signature overwater restaurant serving modern Japanese cuisine with an alluring Latin twist, as well as showcasing his culinary creativity with the launch of Immerse…Latitude 4⁰, an intimate new bespoke underwater dining experience eight meters beneath the surface.
Awards
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo wins triple honours at World Luxury Awards 2025
Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort has received three titles at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, named Luxury Adults Only Resort, Luxury Island Resort, and Luxury Cultural Resort in the Indian Ocean.
The awards highlight the brand’s focus on locally rooted hospitality, with stays shaped by place, service and community. The resort presents Maldivian culture through curated experiences, pairing contemporary comforts with island traditions.
Positioned as an adults-only retreat, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo integrates culinary influences and cultural programming to offer guests a stay informed by the rhythm of local life and delivered with consistent service standards.
“These awards are a true reflection of our team’s passion for creating experiences that feel both local and memorable. Every detail, from the design to the service, is guided by the authenticity that defines Mercure. We are grateful to our guests for being part of this journey,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, honouring properties that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and celebrate diversity across the travel sector.
Awards
Hat-trick for Pullman Maldives Maamutaa at 2025 World Luxury Awards
Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has received three honours at the 2025 World Luxury Awards, securing titles for Best Luxury All-Inclusive Hotel, Best Luxury Wellness Hotel, and Best Luxury Family Hotel in the Indian Ocean.
The awards underscore the resort’s approach to experience-led hospitality, combining design, wellbeing and guest engagement. The recognition also reflects Pullman’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity and sustainability, which sit at the centre of the brand’s strategy.
Since opening, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa has developed an all-inclusive offering that brings together adventure, wellness and a close connection to the natural environment. Its portfolio includes an underwater villa, wellness concepts and family-oriented experiences.
“We are honoured to receive this recognition at the 2025 World Luxury Awards. These awards celebrate the heart of what we do—creating inspiring moments for every guest, whether they come to reconnect, recharge, or simply play. This achievement belongs to our incredible team, whose passion and dedication make Pullman Maldives Maamutaa what it is today,” said Riaan Drever, Cluster General Manager.
The World Luxury Awards recognise excellence in global hospitality, highlighting hotels that consistently deliver strong guest experiences and demonstrate innovation in service and design.
Featured
Halloween at Sun Siyam Iru Veli turns fantasy, not fright
Sun Siyam Iru Veli marked Halloween with a one-day island celebration, “Whimsy Over Wicked,” reimagining the tradition of fright as a fairytale of fantasy on 31 October. The programme invited guests of all ages to immerse themselves in themed workshops, entertainment, and dining experiences designed to encourage creativity and the joy of make-believe.
At the Turtle Kidz Club, children joined a full-house Pumpkin Workshop, decorating pumpkins with gemstones, bright colours, and playful patterns. As the sun set over Fresh Water Beach, the festivities shifted to a Masquerade Evening, where guests enjoyed island beats and signature cocktails and mocktails against a golden horizon. The celebration continued at Turtle Beach with a Beach BBQ Dinner, presenting a Halloween-inspired menu in a storybook setting with live music by the sea.
The night concluded with a private “Cinema Under the Stars” screening, offering an open-air experience that captured the spirit of the occasion.
Through “Whimsy Over Wicked,” Sun Siyam Iru Veli highlighted creativity, connection, and the island’s natural setting. Guests departed with memories shaped by laughter, imagination, and a shared celebration under the Maldivian night sky.
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