Escapade Gourmande 2026: A Five‑Day Culinary Journey Across Constance Moofushi and Constance Halaveli

10 May, 2026

Let’s say you're someone who plans a trip around where and what you'll eat. While many travellers search for white‑sand beaches and turquoise lagoons, you search for tasting menus, wine cellars and the names behind them.

If that sounds familiar, Constance Hotels & Resorts has designed something just for you.

The luxury hotel group has announced the return of Escapade Gourmande in the Maldives from 17 to 21 August 2026. Over five August days, two of the Maldives' most celebrated resorts—Constance Moofushi and Constance Halaveli—transform into a playground for serious food lovers, wine collectors and anyone who believes that the best travel memories are made at the table.

This year’s edition brings together a rare trio of international talents: three‑Michelin‑starred French chef Jérôme Banctel, South African winemaker Donovan Rall of Rall Wines, and Italian pastry chef Cesare Murzilli. Together, they will deliver a curated programme of culinary moments that reinforces Constance Hotels & Resorts' positioning at the very top of luxury gastronomy.

A tale of two very different resorts

One of the most interesting things about Escapade Gourmande is how differently the programme plays out at each resort—and that's by design.

Constance Moofushi, known for its all‑inclusive wine offering and recognised for Best All Inclusive Wine List, brings a relaxed, barefoot island spirit to the programme. This is the place where a daily‑changing buffet at Manta Restaurant, serving everything from crispy pizza to Maldivian specialities, sits alongside a more refined experience at Alizée featuring Wagyu beef, tuna and caviar.

Constance Halaveli, by contrast, is recognised as one of the Maldives' leading gastronomic addresses. The backdrop here is haute cuisine, anchored by an exceptional wine cellar that holds over 22,500 bottles across more than 1,600 references. Halaveli's dining venues include Jahaz Restaurant for refined international cuisine with panoramic ocean views, and Jing for elegant Asian‑inspired dishes meant to be savoured slowly.

This duality offers a rare opportunity for guests willing to experience both properties: the casual charm of Moofushi followed by the fine‑dining polish of Halaveli, all within the same event.

The artists behind the plates

Let’s talk about who is actually cooking, pouring and plating.

Jérôme Banctel brings three Michelin stars to the Indian Ocean—a credential that places him among the world's most accomplished chefs. His cuisine is known for precision, creativity and an ability to let ingredients speak for themselves.

Donovan Rall of Rall Wines represents the new wave of South African winemaking: expressive, site‑driven and increasingly hard to find outside the continent's best wine lists.

Cesare Murzilli, who also took part in the 19th edition of Constance Festival Culinaire in Mauritius, returns to the Maldives to handle pastry and breakfast duties.

What the programme actually looks like

The schedule is structured to give each resort its own culinary centre of gravity while allowing guests to experience both if they choose.

At Constance Moofushi (17–18 August)

• 17 August: A Sommelier Masterclass hosted by Donovan Rall, followed by a sandbank tasting and aperitif cocktail featuring wines from Rall Wines.

• 18 August: The signature Wine Dinner orchestrated by Jérôme Banctel and Cesare Murzilli, paired with Donovan Rall's wines.

At Constance Halaveli (20–21 August)

• 20 August: A sandbank tasting in the lagoon.

• 21 August: Breakfast by Cesare Murzilli, followed by a Sommelier Masterclass hosted by Donovan Rall, and the finale Wine Dinner orchestrated by Jérôme Banctel and Cesare Murzilli paired with Rall Wines.

Beyond the guest-facing events, Donovan Rall will also lead dedicated masterclasses for Constance Hotels & Resorts' own sommeliers, strengthening internal expertise across the group's properties.

Why this matters beyond the plate

Escapade Gourmande is not just a five‑day festival. It's a signal of how luxury travel is evolving.

The modern luxury traveller isn't just looking for thread counts and private pools. They're looking for access—to the world's best chefs, to exclusive wine tastings, to experiences that can't be replicated at home. Constance Hotels & Resorts has clearly identified this shift. By assembling a three‑Michelin‑starred chef, a cult winemaker and an acclaimed pastry chef in one of the world's most stunning settings, they're offering something that goes beyond hospitality and into the realm of cultural programming.

This aligns with broader trends in Maldivian tourism. The destination was named Leading Global Island Destination in Africa and the Indian Ocean at the Condé Nast Traveller 2025 Readers' Choice Awards, earning an impressive score of 97.50. Among the highlighted resorts, Constance Halaveli was lauded for its refined elegance and family‑friendly atmosphere, while Constance Moofushi was recognised for its lively ambience, impeccable service and all‑inclusive luxury appeal.

Guest scores back up the praise: Constance Halaveli achieved a 9.7 rating and Constance Moofushi a 9.6 rating in the Booking.com Traveller Review Awards.

Practical travel information

For readers who want to plan their August 2026 escape:

• Getting there: Both resorts are accessible via seaplane transfer from Velana International Airport (MLE). Constance Halaveli is approximately 15 minutes by seaplane.

• Stay duration: The programme spans five days, but guests may extend to experience both resorts.

• Booking advice: Escapade Gourmande packages typically include event access, meals and select wine pairings. Early booking is strongly recommended given the calibre of talent involved.

• Who it's for: Serious food enthusiasts, wine collectors, honeymooners seeking unforgettable experiences, and luxury travellers who plan their itineraries around dining.

Final thoughts

Escapade Gourmande 2026 sits at the intersection of three powerful travel trends: the rise of purpose‑driven "whycations" where every journey has intention, the growing demand for exclusive access to world‑class culinary talent, and the enduring appeal of the Maldives as a bucket‑list destination.

Whether you're attending as a guest, writing about it as a journalist, this is an event worth watching—and tasting.

When: 17–21 August 2026
Where: Constance Moofushi and Constance Halaveli, Maldives
Headliners: Chef Jérôme Banctel, Winemaker Donovan Rall, Pastry Chef Cesare Murzilli

BOOK NOW

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Related pages:

• Behind the Scenes: How Constance Sommeliers Curate Award-Winning Wine Cellars | Mauritius & Maldives
• Where to Find the New Cuisine in Maldives
• The Ultimate Maldives Dining Guide