Constance revives Escapade Gourmande in the Maldives this August
Constance Hotels & Resorts will host its Escapade Gourmande culinary series in the Maldives from 17 to 21 August 2026, bringing a trio of internationally recognised food and wine professionals to two of its island properties. The programme spans Constance Moofushi and Constance Halaveli and combines guest-facing dinners and tastings with masterclasses aimed at elevating the hotel group’s in-house wine and culinary teams.
Event overview and programme
The lineup includes French chef Jérôme Banctel, who holds three Michelin stars; South African winemaker Donovan Rall of Rall Wines; and Italian pastry chef Cesare Murzilli. The scheduled events will be split between the two resorts, with sandbank tastings, sommelier masterclasses and collaborative wine-paired dinners on the agenda. Constance has noted that specific details may be adjusted closer to the dates.
Planned events by property (subject to change):
Constance Moofushi
- 17 August: Sommelier masterclass with Donovan Rall
- 17 August: Sandbank tasting and aperitif featuring Rall Wines
- 18 August: Wine-paired dinner by Jérôme Banctel and Cesare Murzilli
Constance Halaveli
- 20 August: Sandbank tasting
- 21 August: Breakfast by Cesare Murzilli
- 21 August: Sommelier masterclass with Donovan Rall
- 21 August: Wine-paired dinner featuring Banctel and Murzilli
Context: culinary programming as a differentiator
High-end resorts increasingly rely on curated food and drink programming to attract affluent and experience-focused travellers. The Maldives, long known for remote beaches and luxury overwater villas, has been expanding its appeal through gastronomy and wellness offerings as operators seek to extend guest spending beyond accommodation and watersports.
Constance’s approach—staging a touring culinary series across two contrasting properties—reflects that shift. Constance Moofushi is positioned around a relaxed, all-inclusive model with an emphasis on approachable wine pairings, while Halaveli markets itself as a gastronomic destination, supported by a sizeable cellar containing reported holdings of more than 22,500 bottles and over 1,600 labels. Programming that includes masterclasses for both guests and staff helps the brand reinforce service standards while creating headline events that can drive bookings during key travel windows.
What guests can expect
Attendees should expect a mix of formal and informal dining experiences. Sandbank tastings use the Maldives’ natural scenery to stage intimate, showpiece moments, while invited dinners will centre on multi-course menus paired with selected wines. Masterclasses led by Donovan Rall will be of interest to wine enthusiasts and hospitality professionals; Constance has indicated these sessions will also support internal sommelier development.
For travellers from the Gulf region, who represent a significant source market for Maldivian luxury resorts, this kind of programming offers a weekend- or week-long proposition that combines sun, seclusion and a high-calibre culinary itinerary. Availability and access to specific events, particularly limited-seating dinners and tastings, will depend on resort capacity and booking windows.
Industry implications
Events such as Escapade Gourmande illustrate how resorts are packaging talent-led experiences to justify premium rates and lengthen guest stays. Bringing a Michelin-level chef and recognised winemaker to island properties entails logistical complexity and cost, but it also generates marketing content and can bolster a property’s reputation in competitive destinations.
For Constance, which operates a portfolio of Indian Ocean properties and markets gastronomy as a key pillar of its guest proposition, the series supports both customer-facing differentiation and staff capability building. The inclusion of masterclasses demonstrates an investment in service quality that may pay dividends in wine sales and guest satisfaction scores beyond the event itself.
Practical information
Escapade Gourmande runs from 17 to 21 August 2026 across Constance Moofushi and Constance Halaveli. Prospective guests should contact the resorts directly or their travel advisors for booking, pricing and any package options that include events. As with similar curated programmes, event formats and menus are typically finalised closer to the dates and subject to change based on operational considerations.
Constance Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Mauritius, operates a group of eco-conscious resorts across the Indian Ocean. The brand has emphasised its wine and gastronomy credentials in recent years and employs a sizeable team of sommeliers across its properties.
Bottom line: Escapade Gourmande represents a continuation of a wider industry trend in which luxury island resorts lean into gastronomy and wine programming to capture higher-yield travellers and enhance brand prestige. For discerning travellers seeking a combined culinary and tropical escape, the Constance events in August will offer tightly curated experiences that pair high-end cuisine with a distinctive Maldivian setting.