Addu to host three-day culinary festival celebrating local cuisine

A major culinary event is set to take place in Addu City, with preparations underway for the Addu Culinary Festival 2026. The Chefs Guild of Maldives, which is organizing the festival, told Sun that public interest is already high and many are looking forward to the three-day event.

According to the Chefs Guild, the festival will feature cooking competitions, a wedding-cake competition, a cake-decorating contest, and activities for children aged 10 to 12 focusing on food hygiene and the importance of healthy eating. The Guild will also demonstrate how traditional Addu dishes are prepared and how to source the ingredients used in them, noting Addu’s long history of rich, distinctive culinary traditions.

Various prizes will be awarded to competition winners, including cash prizes, gift vouchers, and gift hampers.

The festival is being organized in partnership with the Secretariat of the Addu City Council, the Women’s Development Committee (WDC), the Addu Women’s Association (AWA), EFES Institute, Golden Crust, and Vaguthun Live as the media partner.

The Addu Culinary Festival 2026 will be held at Nooraanee School, Hithadhoo, from October 8 to 10. Registration for participation is open until September 30. The event is being held in conjunction with International Chefs Day.