Gastronomy
Medium Rare Restaurant at Beach House Iruveli presented with “Award of Excellence” by Wine Spectator
Maldives.net.mv – Located on a remote island in the midst of Haa Alif atoll, The Beach House Iruveli is a Maldivian treasure shaped by its stunning natural setting. Long recognised as an idyllic haven of luxury and relaxation, The Beach House has now been acknowledged as one of the world’s leading food and wine destinations, with its signature restaurant Medium Rare recently awarded the 2013 “Award of Excellence” by Wine Spectator, USA.
Presented to restaurants with winning combinations of fine food and wine, the Award of Excellence is an internationally recognised accolade, created by one of the most celebrated wine magazines in the world. Specialising in a selection of local seafood and fine meats, Medium Rare is led by Chef Shanmuganathan Marimuthu, a gastronomical expert with over 21 years of experience working in five star kitchens. He is joined by Resident Sommelier Stanley whose previous work has included Chief Sommelier posts at the Hyatt Regency Incheon, Taj Exotica Maldives and Banyan Tree Seoul and it this particular pairing of creative talents that has been credited as the special ingredient that won this award.
The Award of Excellence joins a host of recognition for Chef Shan, who is known for his signature style of fusing regional twists with traditional cuisine and has previously been awarded the Park Hyatt Malt Pairing City Trail award in 2012 and Sous Chef (UAE) Chef of the Year’s in 2008. Currently Sommelier Stanley’s extensive wine list at Beach House Iruveli carries over 380 labels with both Old World classics from France, Italy and Spain and New World wonders. Sommelier Stanley personally develops the collection and ensures there is always a diverse selection of labels and different wine making styles on offer.
“We’re proud to offer guests a variety of wine related events during their stay at the resort including bespoke wine tasting sessions and a spectacular Italian themed ‘Cantinetta Experience’ in our underground wine cellar. The culinary vision that Chef Shan brings to Medium Rare is certain to help guide future wine programmes here at Beach House Iruveli forward” commented Sommelier Stanley.
On Medium Rare evolving under the direction of Chef Shan, Sommelier Stanley comments “He inspires not only the culinary team but also me in terms of discovering the marriage between the dishes and wines. Working together, our pairing focuses on parallel flavours, aromas and divergent notes in order to achieve perfect harmony to accompany the culinary art from the kitchen”.
Chef Shan says of the award, “Working at Medium Rare has been a dream; based on a beautiful beachfront on one of the most beautiful areas of the Maldives – every day is like waking up in paradise. But getting to enjoy this job and for Sommelier Stanley and I to be awarded with such a prestigious award for doing it is unbelievable. I am delighted that we have brought the Spectator’s stamp of approval to our perfect island, and hope that it is the first of many.”
Launching next month, Sommelier Stanley will be hosting Gastrology with Chef Shan, a progressive four-course wine matching dinner which takes guests on a journey throughout a number of the resort’s dining outlets . Starting with canapés and Champagne, Sommelier Stanley will unveil some of his favourite tipples in the Wine Cellar before leading guests to the Asian inspired Saffron Restaurant for entrées. The gourmet adventure will continue at Medium Rare for Iruveli’s signature main course before finishing at Salt Water with a chocoholic buffet.
Gastrology will launch in September 2013 and will be available for groups of six or above.
Drink
SO/ Maldives unveils Creation Wines five-course pairing evening
SO/ Maldives will host an exclusive Wine Dinner in collaboration with Creation Wines, led by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, founders of the South African winery. The event will take place at Lazuli Beach Club on 5 November 2025, from 18:30 to 22:00, with a beachfront setting designed for an evening of fine wine, culinary craft and storytelling.
Guests will be served a five-course menu, each course created by the SO/ Maldives culinary team to complement selected vintages from Creation. From the first pour to the final course, the pairings highlight a shared commitment between SO/ Maldives and Creation Wines to creativity, authenticity and the art of living well.
Guided by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, the evening will explore the relationship between food and wine, with insights into their winemaking approach, the vineyard, and their journey from South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley to the Maldives.
Creation Wines combines an ancient landscape with a modern estate driven by innovation. Its team draws on the Hemel-en-Aarde terroir to produce wines that aim to be vibrant and expressive, with each bottle telling a story of balance and harmony.
At SO/ Maldives, contemporary design and artistic sensibility provide the backdrop for imaginative experiences. The Creation Wine Dinner reflects this approach, bringing together gastronomy, style and narrative in a single event.
“This dinner is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and connection,” said Nyoman Suandari, Director of Culinary at SO/ Maldives. “Each pairing is designed not only to delight the palate but also to evoke emotion—to capture the essence of both land and sea, and of the artistry that unites us.”
Drink
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI celebrated for wine perfection at global awards
The luxury Maldivian retreat OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has been recognised among the world’s finest dining destinations at the prestigious World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025. The private island resort received dual honours at London’s legendary Savoy Hotel, winning both the ‘Best All-Inclusive Wine List in Asia’ award and the coveted ‘Jury Award’ for its outstanding wine programme.
The World of Fine Wine, a prestigious British publication, website, and app for a global audience of wine enthusiasts, hosts the World’s Best Wine Lists Award. An independent panel of judges consider entries based on criteria like breadth, depth, balance, and originality across 21 categories to celebrate the finest wine lists globally, with winners being recognised by region.
This remarkable achievement places the Maldivian sanctuary alongside the most celebrated restaurants and hotels worldwide, confirming its status as a true destination for wine lovers. The awards come from one of the most respected judging panels in the wine world, featuring Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine and other leading experts who assessed wine lists from across the globe.
“To be honoured with this global recognition for a second consecutive year is both thrilling and deeply humbling,” shares Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines for Atmosphere Core.
“We believe that a perfect holiday should be paired with a perfect glass of wine; it must not feel like an extra, but a natural part of the journey and always available to guests throughout the entire resort. Seeing our team’s dedication, from curating over 100 labels to integrating them seamlessly into the RESERVE™ Plan, celebrated like this is incredibly rewarding. It confirms a simple truth: that world-class wines belong in every instant of a guest’s stay, from their very first toast to their last sunset sip.”
At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, the art of wine is woven into the very fabric of your stay. The journey begins from the time you settle into your villa, where your personal maxi bar with daily refill offers a curated introduction to the resort’s acclaimed collection. This is the essence of the RESERVE™ Plan, a seamless tapestry of over 100 premium wines, champagnes, and spirits that flows effortlessly from the very moment you reach our shores, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.
For those with a passion for discovery, the dedicated CUVEÉ wine library serves as the heart of wine-focused offerings. Here, the expert sommeliers become storytellers, hosting intimate tasting dinners where every exquisite wine is thoughtfully paired with gourmet cuisine, creating memorable chapters in your holiday narrative.
This passion for viniculture extends across THE OZEN COLLECTION. Both OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO bring the vines to the tropics through exclusive events, welcoming renowned vintners like Champagne Guy Charbaut from France and Bodegas Viñátigo from Spain’s Canary Islands for masterclasses and conversations that bring the world’s great wine regions to our shores.
Ultimately, this international recognition affirms something guests have long known, that OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers more than stunning vistas and luxurious accommodations. It provides a complete sensory experience where every glass poured reflects the same dedication to excellence that defines this Maldivian paradise – proving that true luxury lies in these perfectly curated moments.
Drink
Constance Moofushi Maldives celebrates fine wine excellence with Creation Wines
Constance Moofushi Maldives has announced an exceptional wine journey this October, welcoming internationally celebrated winemakers Carolyn Martin and Glenn Martin of South Africa’s acclaimed Creation Wines.
At Constance Hotels & Resorts, gastronomy and wine are at the very heart of the guest experience. Renowned for its award-winning culinary philosophy and meticulously curated wine cellars, the group has established itself as a true pioneer of refined dining in the Indian Ocean. Each experience is designed to celebrate the harmony between exquisite cuisine and world-class wines—a passion brought to life this October at Constance Moofushi through the presence of two remarkable visionaries.
Founded in 2002 on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge of South Africa, Creation Wines has grown into one of the world’s most admired estates. Visionary couple Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin transformed a remote farm into a globally recognized winery, uniting Swiss-trained precision with inspired creativity. Today, their estate is lauded for excellence, sustainability, and immersive guest experiences, earning accolades such as the 2021 Global Winner of the Great Wine Capitals Award for Innovative Wine Tourism.
At Constance Moofushi, the Martins will guide guests through a curated journey of wine and food pairings—an elegant masterclass in storytelling through flavour.
Further affirming its passion for exceptional wine experiences, Constance Moofushi Maldives was recently recognised at the 2025 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards, where its Alizée Restaurant was nominated for and proudly won the “Best All-Inclusive Wine List”.
This accolade highlights Moofushi’s distinctive wine philosophy—an extensive and carefully curated selection of exceptional wines rarely found in all-inclusive resorts, particularly in such a pristine and remote destination.
“This collaboration with Creation Wines offers our guests exclusive tastings and immersive experiences, while also enriching the knowledge of our passionate sommelier team. It is a true reflection of Constance Hotels & Resorts’ spirit—where gastronomy, passion, and timeless moments of indulgence come together in paradise,” said Mevin Ramasamy, General Manager, Constance Moofushi Maldives.
-
News1 week agoAutograph Collection Hotels debuts in Maldives with The Halcyon Private Isles: Signature retreat of individuality, immersion
-
Awards1 week agoCentara Mirage Lagoon Maldives wins top family hotel honour at Little Steps Family Travel Awards
-
Drink1 week agoConstance Moofushi Maldives celebrates fine wine excellence with Creation Wines
-
News1 week agoSO/ Maldives rolls out red carpet for spectacular festive season
-
Action1 week agoAyada Maldives: Sanctuary where ocean conservation shapes every experience
-
Drink1 week agoOZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI celebrated for wine perfection at global awards
-
Action6 days agoNew Year’s voyage of indulgence: InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau’s private yacht experience with Chef Tom Aikens
-
News1 week agoThe Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands invites guests to Celestial Festive journey beyond horizon



