Home>Blog>Three Michelin-starred Chef Jérôme Banctel to headline Escapade Gourmande in the Maldives
14 July 2026
Three Michelin-starred Chef Jérôme Banctel to headline Escapade Gourmande in the Maldives
Constance Hotels & Resorts will bring together three internationally recognised names in gastronomy this August as Escapade Gourmande returns to the Maldives, combining Michelin-starred cuisine, artisan pastry and world-class wine across Constance Moofushi and Constance Halaveli.
Running from 17 to 22 August 2026, the annual culinary event will feature French three-Michelin-starred chef Jérôme Banctel, South African winemaker Donovan Rall and Italian pastry chef Cesare Murzilli in a programme designed around collaboration, knowledge exchange and destination dining.
For chefs and hospitality professionals, the event represents an opportunity to experience the work of internationally acclaimed culinary artisans while highlighting the growing importance of multidisciplinary collaborations that unite chefs, sommeliers and pastry specialists.
Chef Jérôme Banctel has earned international recognition for his refined French cuisine, characterised by technical precision, seasonality and emotional storytelling through food. Joining him is Donovan Rall, one of South Africa's most respected independent winemakers, whose wines are recognised for expressing regional terroir through minimal intervention and careful craftsmanship.
Completing the trio is Italian pastry chef Cesare Murzilli, whose contemporary desserts combine classical technique with modern presentation, providing a sweet conclusion to the collaborative dining experiences.
The programme begins at Constance Moofushi on 17 August with a sandbank tasting and aperitif centred on Donovan Rall's wines, offering guests an introduction to the winemaker's portfolio in an informal island setting.
On 18 August, Banctel and Murzilli will collaborate on a wine-pairing dinner where contemporary French cuisine and refined pastry will be matched with Rall's South African wines.
The culinary journey then moves to Constance Halaveli, where Murzilli will present a signature breakfast on 21 August before the programme concludes on 22 August with a gala wine-pairing dinner combining the expertise of all three guests.
For chefs, one of the most significant aspects of Escapade Gourmande extends beyond the guest dining experiences.
As part of the programme, Donovan Rall will conduct dedicated masterclasses for Constance Hotels & Resorts sommeliers, sharing insights into winemaking, terroir, tasting and food pairing. Such knowledge-sharing initiatives demonstrate the increasing value placed on continuous professional development within luxury hospitality, where chefs, sommeliers and service teams collaborate to deliver integrated dining experiences.
The gala dinner will also showcase one of the Maldives' most comprehensive wine collections. Constance Halaveli's wine cellar houses more than 22,500 bottles representing over 1,600 wine references, providing an exceptional foundation for curated pairings.
For the Maldives culinary community, Escapade Gourmande reflects the evolution of resort gastronomy beyond standalone guest chef dinners. By bringing together expertise in cuisine, pastry, wine and sommelier education, the programme creates opportunities for professional exchange while reinforcing the Maldives' growing reputation as a destination for internationally recognised culinary events.
