The 2024 Hotel Asia Exhibition & International Culinary Challenge concluded with a prestigious awards ceremony and business gathering at Crossroads, Maldives. The three-day event celebrates the best of Maldivian and international hospitality, with captivating exhibitions at Dalbaruge on Male Island, a fierce culinary challenge held at the Maldives National University, and culminating in a glittering awards ceremony. The high tide has been reached.
The main award winners are:
- Best Restaurant – “Alan Palmer Challenge Trophy”: Velasaru Maldives
- the best chef: Varun Kumar Singh, Lux South Ari Atoll
- the best pastry chef: Kasun Madhushanka R. Gamaralalage, Huvafen Fushi Maldives
- Maldives Top Chef – “BBM Chairman’s Trophy”: Ismail Tahseen
- best artist: Shisila Kumara, Reethi Beach Resort
- Maldives’ most promising young chefs: Fasmas Zumya, Maldives National University
The event provided a platform for industry professionals to showcase their skills, gain exposure and connect with other professionals in the hospitality industry. The Hotel Asia Exhibition & International Culinary Challenge focuses on culinary excellence and business networking and is an important event for the Maldives tourism industry.
The Hotel Asia Exhibition & International Culinary Challenge is an annual event sponsored by the World Association of Chefs Associations. This event is an important part of the Maldives’ tourism industry and helps promote the country’s culinary culture to the world.
The class division winners are as follows:
decorated cake
- Winner Thirini Anurudhika Vithanage Reethi Faru Faru
- 2nd place Kasan Madhushanka Ranawansha Gamararaj Huvafen Fushi Maldives
- 3rd place Manage Don Madhushanka Oburu Experience Airafushi & Oburu Select Robigiri
fruit and vegetable carvings
- Winner Shisila Kumara Reethi Beach Resort
- 2nd place Nuwan Priya Furaveli Island Resort & Spa
- 3rd place A. Ashan Chamika Ishra Canaleaf Resort
artistic exhibits
- Winner JI Priyankara Bandos Maldives
- 2nd place Shisila Kumara Reethi Beach Resort
- 3rd place Nihal Wickramasige Coco Boduhiti
bread and pastry display
- Winner Kausar Mia Seaside Finolhu
- 2nd place Omkar Panduranga Kanjarekar Dhigali Maldives
- 3rd place Riyana Arachige Nilash Anuja Jayaratna Kurumba Maldives
Dessert (display)
- Winner Neelima Rama Dhigali Maldives
- 2nd place M. Madushika Upananda Reethi Phal Phal
- 3rd place GS Niranga Guruge Amaya Kudala
Hot cooking – fish fillets
- Winner Ambarasan Varadaraj Kurumba Maldives
- 2nd place Varun Kumar Singh Lux South Ari Atoll
- 3rd place Yash Bhushan Mistry Lux South Ari Atoll
Hot cooking – beef
- Winner Yomar Asanga Rodrigo Komo Maalifushi
- 2nd place Yash Bhushan Mistry Lux South Ari Atoll
- 3rd place Subheesh Chunderan Berasaru Maldives
Hot Cooking – Seafood (A)
- Winner G. Thulisa Niranina Waldorf Astoria Maldives
- 2nd place LJ Ishara Silva Canaleaf Resort
- 3rd place Varun Kumar Singh Lux South Ari Atoll
Hot Cooking – Seafood (B)
- Winner Nuwan Taraka Dhananjaya Bandara Thennakun Thennakun Mudiyanseraj Huvafen Fushi Maldives
- 2nd place Pritam Adhikari Sant Saiyam Vir Reef
- 3rd place Amaru Dhananjaya Udangamuwe Kulatunga Atmosphere Kanifushi Maldives
Hot cooking – chicken
- Winner Chameera Upul Kumara Rathnayake Mudiyanseraj Mercure Maldives Koududoo
- 2nd place Ahmed Muazu Waldorf Astoria Maldives
- 3rd place ISURA UDAYANGA MESTIYAGE DON SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hot cooking – lamb meat
- Winner Sumit Sanjaya Jayatissa Soneva Fushi
- 2nd place Nuwan Tharanga Airkanayaka Lily Beach Resort & Spa
- 3rd place Subheesh Chunderan Berasaru Maldives
dessert
- Winner Kasun Madhushanka Ranawansha Gamaralaraju Huvafen Fushi Maldives
- 2nd place Juliana Azmi Belasaru Maldives
- 3rd place Ali Samau Said Four Seasons at Maldives Kuda Huraa
vegetarian dishes
- Winner Amira Sampath Gamage Velasaru Maldives
- 2nd place A.Ayu Shinta Jumianti Joali Maldives
- 3rd place ISURA UDAYANGA MESTIYAGE DON SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton
asian noodles
- Winner Amira Sampath Gamage Velasaru Maldives
- 2nd place Bharat Kumar Ozen Life Madhu By Atmosphere
- 3rd place Deepak Tapa Oblu Select Sangeli
team challenge
- Winner Sanjeewa Ranasingha & Juliana – Velasaru Maldives
- 2nd place G. Thulitha Niranjna & Ahmed Muaz – Waldorf Astoria Maldives
- 3rd place Harshana & Olivier Patrick Huliselan – Oburu Experience Airafushi & Oburu Select Robigiri
maldivian cuisine
- Winner Pradeep Pathirana Ayada Maldives
- 2nd place M. Ronnie Oburu Select Sangeli
- 3rd place Ismail Tahseen
creative salad
- Winner Loveil Mia Berasal Maldives
- 2nd place Robel Mia Berasaru Maldives
- 3rd place Tilina Fonseca Seaside Finolhu
perfect steak and omelet
- Winner Subheesh Chunderan Berasaru Maldives
- 2nd place Harish Joshi Ozen Reserve Bolifushi
- 3rd place MD Usman Mia Olhuveli Beach & Spa Resort
young chef
- Winner Vishwa Marchand Seaside Finolhu
- 2nd place Dasun Lakmal Koko Boduhiti
- 3rd place Fasmas Zumya Maldives National University (Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies)
tea challenge
- Winner Meghna Dei Reethi Beach Resort
- 2nd Place I Putu Purishka Pramana Putra Jumeirah Maldives Olhahari Island
- 3rd place Plan Charlie’s Sun Siyam Vir Reef
ice mocktail
- Winner I Gede Adi Mas Perumana Summer Island Maldives
- 2nd place Dilshan Jonathan Mark Vandot One & Only Reethi Ra
- 3rd place Fali Junio Rahman Bandos Maldives
creative table setup
- Winner Uttar Kumar Vista Bandos Maldives
- 2nd place Ahmed Areeb Reethi Beach Resort
- 3rd place Hassan Sameer Reethi Beach Resort
Hot Cooking – Lobster
- Winner Varun Kumar Singh Lux South Ari Atoll
- 2nd place Subheesh Chunderan Berasaru Maldives
- 3rd place Ken Rosario Four Seasons Maldives (Rander Giravalu)
creative drinks
- Winner Pradeep Kumara Mahalekam Mercure Maldives Koududoo
- 2nd Place Arachchi Dewayalage Airesh Tharanga Mayaduna Bandos Maldives
- 3rd place Dilshan Dhananjaya Jen Maldives
Low waste category
- Winner Ismail Tahseen
- 2nd place Varun Kumar Singh Lux South Ari Atoll
- 3rd place Sunny Kumar Ozen Life Madhu By Atmosphere
