Celebration of excellence marks conclusion of Dilmah Natural Luxury Sommelier Challenge at FHAM 2025

The Dilmah Natural Luxury Sommelier Challenge, a prestigious celebration of tea, creativity, and hospitality, made a spectacular debut in the Maldives as part of FHAM 2025.

Organized by Dilmah Ceylon Tea in partnership with SIMDI Group, the competition brought together some of the Maldives’ most talented culinary and beverage professionals in a showcase of excellence and innovation.

Designed to be more than just a competition, the Challenge served as a dynamic platform to reimagine the role of tea in gastronomy and guest experiences. By fusing culinary artistry, beverage innovation, and service excellence, the event aimed to inspire sustainability, creativity, and authenticity across the Maldivian hospitality industry.

A first-of-its-kind experience at FHAM

Held over two days, the Sommelier Challenge introduced a unique team-based format featuring culinary and beverage professionals working in tandem, a first for FHAM. This collaborative approach underscored the shared artistry between chefs and sommeliers, highlighting how well-crafted tea pairings can elevate storytelling and sensory experiences at the table.

As the only paired competition at FHAM 2025, the event stood out for its focus on synergy, creativity, and innovation, setting a new standard for future culinary showcases in the Maldives.

Celebrating the champions of tea-inspired innovation

The event culminated in a prestigious awards ceremony, honoring individuals and teams that demonstrated outstanding skill, originality, and passion.

Special Awards:

• Dilshan and Jonathan from One & Only Reethi Rah won the ‘Best Teamwork’ award
• Yogesh from Vakkaru Maldives won the ‘Best Tea Sommelier’ award
• Aigustivano from Robinson Noonu won the ‘Best Tea-Inspired Drink’ award
• Wicum from Somerset Hotel won the ‘Best Food Pairing’ award.

Main Awards:

• The team of Yogesh Mujeef from Vakkaru Maldives was named the second runner-up
• The team of Jonathan and Kunal from One & Only Reethi Rah was named the first runner-up
• The team of Sadun and Wicum from Somerset Hotel was crowned the Champion team.

The winning team from Somerset Hotel was awarded USD 7,500 in prizes, including an exclusive educational experience at the Dilmah School of Tea in Sri Lanka, a coveted opportunity to deepen their knowledge of tea and hospitality at an international level.

A milestone for Maldivian hospitality

On behalf of Dilmah Ceylon Tea and SIMDI Group, heartfelt gratitude was extended to all participants, the esteemed judging panel, and the organizers of FHAM 2025 for making this inaugural Maldivian edition a resounding success.

This landmark event marks a significant step forward in the evolution of Maldivian hospitality, demonstrating how natural luxury, when paired with talent and vision, can create unforgettable guest experiences.