Hulhule Island Hotel reclaims Best Culinary Establishment title after 10 years
Hulhule Island Hotel (HIH) has reclaimed the Best Culinary Establishment title at the Hotel Asia Culinary Competition 2026, marking a triumphant return to an honour it last won in 2016.
A decade on, the victory opens a proud new chapter in the hotel’s culinary legacy, made especially meaningful by the return of the chefs who helped shape that success ten years ago.
Across four days of competition, HIH secured five gold, thirteen silver and eight bronze medals, alongside one merit award. The team brought home three trophies, including Best Culinary Establishment.
Leading the team to victory was Cluster Executive Chef Ibrahim Naeem, closely supported by Executive Sous Chef Ismail Naseer and Sous Chef Ismail Thahseen. This year’s winning team includes, and is led by, chefs who were instrumental in securing the same title in 2016. Having returned to HIH, they have now helped bring the coveted honour back to the hotel, making this a comeback both for the chefs and for the culinary legacy they helped build.
That connection gives this year’s achievement particular significance. The experience of returning chefs, together with the talent and ambition of the wider team, has brought HIH back to a defining moment of recognition. For the chefs and food and beverage professionals representing the hotel, the award is a proud reward for their dedication to their craft and to one another.
Among the standout individual achievements, Chef Manoj Kumar Dubey earned Second Runner-Up in the Most Outstanding Chef Award. Chef Maruthi Bejjanki won the Desserts category trophy with a gold medal and first-place finish. Further gold medals went to Chef Iranga Dilruk, who placed second in Artistic Showpiece; Chef Samith Madushanka, who placed second in Bread Display; and Chef Passang Lhamu Bhutia, who placed third in Desserts.
The wider team’s achievements spanned disciplines ranging from Maldivian dishes and hot cooking to pastry and beverage preparation. Their combined results reflect the breadth of talent within HIH and the importance of every competitor’s contribution to the overall win.
Reclaiming this title a decade later is a proud homecoming for the chefs who helped establish HIH’s culinary reputation and have returned to build on it. As the hotel celebrates their achievement alongside the wider team, it looks forward to sharing that passion for exceptional food with every guest who takes a seat at its tables.
