Muslima Adam Becomes First Maldivian Woman Named FHAM 2026 Best Chef

Muslima Adam has etched her name into the Maldives' culinary history, becoming the first Maldivian and the first Maldivian woman to win the prestigious Best Chef title at the Food & Hospitality Asia Maldives (FHAM) Culinary Challenge. Representing Dusit D2 Feydhoo Maldives, Adam secured the top honor during the FHAM 2026 closing ceremony held at the Hulhule Island Hotel on September 10. Her victory follows a dominant performance across four categories, where she earned three gold medals and one silver medal, distinguishing her from a wide field of competitors across more than 20 categories. Adam's success was driven by her excellence in hot and cold appetizers, seafood, and yellow-fin tuna steak preparations. Her achievement marks a significant milestone for women in the local culinary industry, reflecting a growing trend of Maldivian chefs gaining professional recognition within the nation's competitive hospitality sector. The event also recognized broader organizational excellence, with Dusit D2 Feydhoo Maldives being named the Most Outstanding Organisation. Other notable winners included Aminath Amaany Hussain, who earned the Best Maldivian Pastry Chef title, and Don Madushanka of COLORS OF OBLU MALDIVES, who was named Best Pastry Chef. The competition featured a diverse array of specialized categories, from the Wedding Cake Structure Competition won by Siddeeq Ibrahim of Nashee Cakes to the Traditional and Modern Maldivian Main Course category won by Ahmed Ahsan Shareef of Hulhule Island Hotel. Other winners spanned various resorts and academies, highlighting the depth of talent in the Maldivian tourism industry. FHAM remains one of the premier events for the Maldives' food and hospitality sector, serving as a critical platform for professionals to showcase technical skill, creativity, and expertise. The 2026 edition has now concluded, with the next challenge scheduled to return in the first week of September next year.