Gastronomy
Time-honoured tradition of ‘Festive Fruit Mixing’ celebrated at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

As the holiday season approaches, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi gathered all its guests on the 19th of September to experience the rich tradition of ‘Rum Pot,’ a delightful and centuries-old practice of fermenting fruits to prepare for the festive season. This unique culinary journey promises to add a dash of nostalgia and a lot of flavours to your holiday celebrations at the luxury resort.
The ‘Rum Pot’ tradition, originating from Germany, has been carefully preserved and celebrated at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, a tropical paradise nestled in the Maldives. The resort’s talented culinary team has combined this time-honoured method with a tropical twist, offering guests a taste of paradise with every bite.
What is ‘Rum Pot’?
Rum Pot, which translates to “Rumtopf” in German, is a process of preserving various fruits by macerating them in rum and sugar, creating a deliciously boozy concoction. This delightful tradition is often passed down through generations, with each family adding different fruits throughout the year. By the time the holiday season arrives, the Rum Pot is ready to be used in festive cakes and desserts, infusing them with a unique, fruity, and spirited flavour.
At Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, this age-old practice has been combined with the resort’s luxurious tropical setting, making it a delightful and memorable experience for guests from around the world.
“Our annual ‘Rum Pot’ preparations have become a cherished tradition at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi,” said Abdulla Atham, Resort Manager at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi. “We take great pride in preserving this culinary heritage and infusing it with the flavours of the Maldives. It’s not just about the delicious fruit, rum, and sugar; it’s about creating cherished memories and celebrating the holiday season in a unique way.”
Guests staying at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi during the festive season can savour this unique tradition in the form of mouthwatering festive cakes and desserts, expertly prepared by the resort’s culinary team. The Rum Pot-infused treats will be available throughout the holiday season, ensuring a memorable and indulgent experience for all.
Join us at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi to create lasting memories, savour the coming warmth of the holiday season, and experience the festive flavour of Rum Pot. Book your stay now and embark on a festive journey like no other.
To find out more about the upcoming festive offers and activities at Sun Siyam Resorts, or to book your stay, please visit https://www.sunsiyam.com/sun-siyam-iru-fushi/offers/ or contact us at book@sunsiyam.com.
Cooking
Feast for senses: Evolving culinary canvas of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives

At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, dining is not merely a matter of sustenance; it’s a journey of discovery, artistry, and taste that unfolds with every meal. Nestled in the pristine seclusion of the Raa Atoll, this intimate island sanctuary invites long-stay guests to indulge in an ever-changing mosaic of flavours and atmospheres, ensuring no two days—or dining experiences—are ever alike.
Dining, Redefined for the Discerning Palate
Dining at Alila Kothaifaru isn’t defined by one restaurant or one menu. It’s an evolving narrative of taste. Whether you’re here for a romantic escape or an extended sabbatical, each day ushers a new opportunity to be surprised and delighted at the table.
Begin with a Floating Lunch in the privacy of your own pool villa. Picture this: the midday sun shimmering on the water as you recline poolside, savouring a beautifully curated spread. This unhurried pleasure is the perfect way to settle into your island retreat.
Then, head to Pibati Sul Mare, where tradition meets hands-on creativity. The Art of Pizza Making is More than a workshop—it’s a Joyful ritual. Roll the dough, fold your base, scatter fresh toppings, and watch as your creation ts fired to perfection. The reward? A slice of Italy savoured with the gentle breeze of the Indian Ocean.

Sunsets and Sensory Stories
As the sun dips below the horizon, The Shack Sundowner experience awaits. Champagne and caviar, set against a canvas of molten sky and encdless sea, is a ritual best shared, a memory effortlessly mace.
For something theatrically indulgent, Teppanyaki at Umami takes centre stage. Here, expert chefs turn dinner into a performance, grilling, searing, and plating with precision, all while guests soak in the sizzling sights and aromas.

Global Flavours, Local Soul
Each evening, the resort’s culinary offering shifts again. At Yakitori Bar, fragrant skewers sizzle over charcoal flames, echoing the vibrant streets of Tokyo. Mondays serve up the comfort of a rich Indian Thali, while Wednesdays and Sundays bring a quintessential island feast with a Boat to Table BBQ, where the clay’s freshest catch takes price of place.
This signature experience is part of Alila Kothaifaru’s boat-to-table sustainability initiative, which focuses on sourcing fresh seafood locally and responsibly. By collaborating directly with Maldivian fishermen, the resort ensures the shortest journey from ocean to plate. This partnership supports both marine conservation efforts and local livelihoods while providing guests with the freshest possible ingredients.
“Our culinary philosophy is grounded in a deep respect for nature and community,” says Thomas Weber, General Manager at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “With the boat-to-table initiative, we’re not only celebrating the incredible bounty of the Indian Ocean but also championing sustainability, transparency, and authentic island experiences that our guests truly value.”
Friday evenings unfold with The Art of Mezze, a Mediterranean medley of colour, spice, and texture. Meanwhile, Saturdays are reserved for indulgence with La Dolce Vita at Pibati Sul Mare, a flowing celebration of Italian favourites, designed to be lingered over, shared, and remembered.

Never the Same Plate Twice
For long-stay guests, the worry of repetition simply doesn’t exist. With rotating themes, diverse cuisines, and unique dining settings—from barefoot beachfronts to stylish al fresco lounges—each mealtime becomes a new chapter in their Maldivian story.
Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is not just evolving its food and beverage programme; it’s redefining island dining. With every thoughtfully crafted experience, we invite guests to eat, explore, and engage their senses in the most delicious ways possible.
Cooking
Gourmet escape with Singaporean Chef Petrina Loh at Constance Moofushi

At Constance Moofushi, gastronomy is more than a signature offering—it is a pillar of the guest experience, where refined techniques, local inspiration, and respect for nature, come together to create timeless moments.
In this spirit of culinary excellence, Constance Moofushi hosted Chef Petrina Loh, renowned Singaporean chef and founder of the award-winning restaurant Morsels. Known for her passion for fermentation and bold flavour pairings rooted in Asian fusion, Chef Loh brought her distinctive creative flair to the Maldives for an exclusive collaboration with the resort’s culinary teams.
Throughout her stay, she worked hand-in-hand with the chefs, sharing her philosophy and collaborating on a series of inspired dishes that reflected the Constance Hotel’s culinary identity while introducing fresh perspectives. Her presence on the island was not only a gastronomic highlight for Moofushi’s guests, but also a moment of true enrichment for the teams—fostering creativity, technique, and a renewed sense of inspiration.
“It was a privilege to welcome Chef Petrina Loh to Constance Moofushi,” said Mevin Ramasamy, General Manager. “Her generous approach and alignment with our culinary values brought great energy to our teams and enriched the guest experience. Collaborations like these allow us to grow, while offering gastronomic experience that remains elegant, fresh, and rooted in authenticity.
At Constance Hotels & Resorts, culinary excellence is nurtured through meaningful encounters, and the transmission of savoir-faire. Talents from around the world are regularly invited to share their expertise with the teams. This spirit is embodied in the annual Constance Festival Culinaire-a flagship event celebrating creativity, gastronomy and cross-cultural culinary exchange- and echoed in exclusive culinary invitations such as Chef Petrina Loh’s at Constance Moofushi. Through a growing calendar of gastronomic events, Constance Hotels & Resorts reaffirms its promise: to offer cuisine that inspires, connects, and elevates every stay
Food
Milaidhoo Maldives unveils Azure: Chic beach shack dining experience

Milaidhoo Maldives, the renowned luxury boutique resort in the heart of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is launching its newest dining concept, Azure.
Offering a laid-back, toes-in-the-sand experience, Azure provides guests with a delightful lunchtime escape in a picturesque beach shack setting, delivering an authentic slice of Maldivian life and an opportunity to reconnect with nature.
Nestled amid lush palm-like screw pines, Azure embodies the essence of barefoot informality. With its relaxed ambiance and idyllic beach location, guests can unwind and savour the simple pleasures of island life while enjoying the gentle sea breeze. Open from 12.00 (noon) to 16.00, Azure is the perfect spot for a leisurely midday meal.
Azure’s culinary focus is on fresh, light bites and delectable wood-fired pizzas, crafted with the finest ingredients. A highlight of the menu is the signature Azure pizza, showcasing the unique flavours of Maldivian ingredients, such as tuna carpaccio, lobster, dried fish, herbs from the Chef’s garden (Maldivian Rocket) and a Maldivian chilli tomato sauce as the base.
Guests can also indulge in a selection of refreshing cocktails as well as the ever-popular Provence rosé, a must on a sunny day at the beach.
A standout at Azure is the homemade sorbet, featuring an array of tropical flavours such as creamy coconut, zesty lemon screw pine, fragrant basil and vibrant hibiscus. These invigorating treats provide the perfect ending to a sun-kissed afternoon.
“At Milaidhoo, we encourage our guests to leave formality behind. This new dining experience captures the true spirit of our effortless island luxury,” says Ken Gundu, Executive Chef. “Azure offers you a chance to connect with the natural beauty of the Maldives in a relaxed and informal setting while enjoying exceptional food and drinks.”
Azure’s menu:
- Light bites: a selection of fresh, seasonal dishes perfect for a light lunch.
- Wood-fired pizzas: crispy, thin-crust pizzas cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven.
- Signature Azure pizza: a unique creation you simply must try, featuring local ingredients from the chef’s garden and the Indian Ocean.
- Homemade sorbets: when the heat is on, indulge in our uniquely Maldivian sorbet flavours including coconut, lemon screw pine, basil and hibiscus.
- Provence rosé and cocktails: enjoy a chilled glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail to complement this most relaxing of dining experiences.
Azure invites guests to embrace the laid-back charm of a beach shack, where every meal celebrates culinary delights inspired by the island’s natural beauty.
Milaidhoo is more than just a destination; it’s an island sanctuary where you can write your own story and create memories as unique as you are.
For reservations and more information, please contact the resort at welcome@milaidhoo.com.
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