From Culinary awards to Cocktail recipes and other COCO news this month

Maldives Hotels & Travel Guide

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21 May, 2023

What's new in Coco Collection resorts this month? Come and see how they creating a true boutique luxury on some the most beautifull islands in the Maldives.

A flourish of triumphs at the FHAM 2023!

Once again our excellent culinary team of Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Bodu Hithi participated in the Food & Hospitality Asia Maldives International Exhibition and Culinary Challenge 2023 and brought home multiple accolades as they showcased their amazing skills and artistry.

The FHAM Exhibition is an annual event that highlights the products and services of the hospitality industry, with this year’s exhibition seeing over 10,000 brands taking part.

COCO' chefs from the hot kitchen from Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu put on a magnificent performance at the exhibition, with Chef Rahman taking home a Silver and Bronze Medal in the lamb and beef categories of the hot cooking challenge. In the meantime, Chef Maksudul took home both the Silver Medal in Seafood and the Bronze Medal in Beef. When it came to carving fruits and vegetables, Chef Nirosh took home the Silver Medal.

On the other hand, the chefs from Coco Bodu Hithi breezed through exceptionally as well, with Pastry Chef Didula making us proud by winning a Gold medal and Chef Buddhika winning the Silver Medal in Dress the Cake category. As for Pastry Chef Danushka she brought home a Silver Medal in Artistic Pastry Showpiece category. Meanwhile, Pastry Chef Nihal won 3 Silver Medal in Creative Bread Display, Artistic Pastry Showpiece, and Fruits and Vegetable Carving. Chef Nihal also was recognised as the 2nd runner-up in Vegetable Carving category at FHAM 2023!

The chefs from the hot kitchens put on a magnificent display at the exhibition as well with Chef Asiri winning the Gold Medal and Bronze Medal in the Lamb and Seafood – Hot Cooking Challenge and Chef Wuesundara bringing home the Silver Medal in the Appetisers (Hot/Cold) Challenge.

With Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu getting 4 Silver and 1 Bronze Medal, and Coco Bodu Hithi taking home 2 Gold, 6 Silver, and 1 Bronze Medal, it was undoubtedly a proud moment for our culinary team from Coco Collection.

A heartfelt congratulation to our culinary team and a sincere appreciation to everyone who participated and showed their support!

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Celebrating World Cocktail Day 2023

In honour of World Cocktail Day, we’re ready to reveal the secrets behind one of our liquid delicacies on the island. Gadhakoalhi "Golden Basil," was created by Thusitha, one of our talented bartenders at Coco Bodu Hithi.

Gandhakoali “Golden Basil”

60 ML Silver Tequila
25ML Agave Syrup
60ML Fresh Pineapple Juice
60ML Basil Juice
30ML Lemon Juice
Fresh Pineapple Chunks
Glass Used: Mojito Jug

Method

1. Add ice to your mojito jug or glass to chill.

2. Make fresh pineapple juice and basil juice separately by blending pineapples and fresh basil leaves with some water. Blend enough to make 60ml of liquid for both pineapple and basil juices. Leave aside.

4. Throw out the ice in the mojito glass and add pineapple chunks to the glass, followed by lime juice and agave syrup.

5. Muddle all the ingredients together in the glass with the help of a muddler. If you don’t have a muddler, you can use the back of a spoon to crush the pineapple in the glass.

6. Fill the glass up with a lot of ice, pour in the tequila and give it a gentle stir.

7. Top up with your fresh pineapple juice and basil juice.

8. Garnish with pineapple leaves and basil sprig.

Coco Collection

Coco Collection runs two islands — Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu that make up the Coco Collection brand.

Luxurious and contemporary, with superb private pool villas and an idyllic overwater spa - Coco Bodu Hithi, the flagship property in Coco Collection’s portfolio, is a chic retreat where you reconnect with yourself, your loved ones and the wonder of the natural world. Translating island life into contemporary sophistication, the resort, which is accessible by a 40-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport, offers 100 villas that are surrounded by the calm view of the lagoon and the soothing sound of the waves. There are seven chic restaurants, two open air cocktail bars, extensive thatched overwater Coco Spa and a fitness center (with ocean views!). An uncrowded infinity swimming pool and a large selection of activities, including scuba diving and snorkeling in the lagoon. Despite all these facilities, guests - especially at night - tend to seek privacy in a private getaway, possibly with a bottle from Wine Loft.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is a quiet place in the Maldives where you will find luxury, beauty and privacy at reasonable prices. The resort very well takes care of its environment and creates guests all for a 5-star beach experience in tropical paradise. Dhuni Kolhu is ahead of other hotels in its category by quality, design and amenities. This is a top class, but a simple, laid-back package of key Maldives elements - diving, snorkeling, beach, island and accommodation. Half a mile from tip to tip, a private island of medium size is populated with 98 villas. Snorkeling and scuba diving is awesome amd the guests can freely walk between two restaurants, SPA and sports grounds, using shady paths entwining the lush jungle. The removal of the island takes 30 minutes by seaplane from Male airport. Snorkeling and scuba diving is awesome and the resort offers a number of fun tours, but there is no pool on the island.

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