From 20th to 29th March, Constance Belle Mare Plage and Constance Prince Maurice once again became the stage for an extraordinary gathering of world-renowned chefs, pastry experts, and epicurean enthusiasts. This year’s edition not only paid homage to the rich legacy of the festival but also embraced a deeper mission – sharing, learning and transmission. More than a showcase of talent, the festival is a catalyst for progress and passion within Constance Hotels & Resorts. It offers a unique opportunity to train and expose Constance chefs and pastry chefs to the highest standards, enabling them to keep pushing the boundaries of excellence and ensuring that each property across their Indian Ocean destinations continues to deliver exceptional gourmet moments. Building on the success of last year’s 17th edition, which saw the participation of legendary names such as Régis Marcon, Mercotte, Patrick Bertron and Jérôme de Oliveira, the 2025 festival continued to raise the bar with its impeccable programme of competitions, masterclasses, and bespoke dinners, celebrating both international gastronomy and authentic island flavours. Among the highlights of the Pierre Hermé Trophy pastry competition, pastry chefs worked with the Constance Dark Chocolate 68%, a unique chocolate creation developed exclusively for the group. Crafted in collaboration with Valrhona, this tailor-made couverture reflects the singularity of Constance Hotels & Resorts and their epicurean philosophy. Infused with exotic aromas and intense fruity notes, this chocolate serves as a flagship ingredient in several signature recipes featured across their resorts. The much-anticipated Awards Ceremony, held on Saturday 29th March, crowned the remarkable talents behind this year’s standout creations across the festival’s signature competitions. The winners of this 18th edition are:  Régis Marcon Trophy 1st Prize – Markus Dalen, Sweden and Si Thu Kiaw Tun, Constance Ephelia Seychelles 2nd Prize – Louis Gachet, France and Basudev Adhikari, Constance Moofushi Maldives 3rd Prize – Fabien Lefebvre, France and Chandradev Nathoo, Constance Belle Mare Plage Deutz Trophy Louis Gachet, MOF 2023, Restaurant Le Feuillée, France Pierre Hermé Trophy Valrhona Chocolate Artistic Piece Trophy – Alexandre Gely, Pastry Chef Relais Dessert, France 1st Prize – Marc Rivière, France and Veeranakkumar Mathurai, Constance Halaveli Maldives 2nd Prize – Alain Chartier, France and Deep Chandra Nailwal, Constance Lemuria Seychelles 3rd Prize – Alexandre Gely, France and Dasun Mudiyanselage, Constance Moofushi Maldives Jars Arts de la Table Trophy Yavesh Ramtohul, Constance Belle Mare Plage Constance Café Gourmand Trophy Annaice Moothien, Constance Belle Mare Plage Best Island Chili Cake (Gâteau Piment) Ms Disha Chuckowree Best Island Banana Tart (Tarte Banane tressée) Ms Milena Moutien Each competition was meticulously judged by an esteemed panel of culinary personalities, winemaker, and international chefs—continuing the tradition of excellence and fairness that defines the spirit of the Festival. “Once again, this unique gathering has reminded us of the unifying power of cuisine,” shared Jérôme Faure, Corporate Sommelier of Constance Hospitality Management Limited. “The level of creativity, precision, and passion demonstrated by both our international guests and our Constance chefs is a testament to the extraordinary spirit that drives this festival year

The Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy is one of the headline events that players and their families can enjoy this year at the sustainably driven destination in Greece’s southwest Peloponnese. And with the addition of new flights to Kalamata International Airport, travelling to the destination has never been easier. Comprising four five-star luxury hotels, private residences, four signature golf courses, sports, leisure, gastronomic and cultural experiences, all the resorts at Costa Navarino will be open ahead of the Easter break, making it the perfect time to enjoy the mild temperatures and lush Messinian nature. Golf for all the family Named as the ‘World’s Best Golf Venue’ at the World Golf Awards 2024, Costa Navarino is set for another eventful year across its four signature courses – The Dunes Course, The Bay Course and the two layouts at Navarino Hills, the International Olympic Academy Golf Course and The Hills Course. At the centre of the golf calendar is the Costa Navarino Legends Tour Trophy, which will return to the destination this summer after a successful debut last year. Taking place from June 9-14, the event offers the opportunity for golf enthusiasts to enjoy an exclusive ‘up close and personal’ playing experience alongside a group of golf legends, with a private golf clinic and Q & A session, a place in an invitation-only pro-am and inside-the-ropes spectator viewing access to the 54-hole tournament among the many benefits included. Revamped accommodation offering and enhanced lifestyle experiences The ultimate family and sports destination, The Westin Resort Costa Navarino reopens today, unveiling a renewed look with redesigned accommodation, revitalised popular spaces and a brand-new lap pool. All rooms and family suites showcase fresh interiors, complete with new furniture, fabrics, fittings and lighting, while young guests can dive into endless fun at the revamped aqua park. Designed as a pristine haven for adults and families seeking unparalleled service and authentic experiences, The Romanos, a Luxury Collection Resort welcomes guests from April 9. The resort is introducing an enhanced programming this year with elevated gastronomy concepts, wellness retreats, pop-up events with renowned brands and a new adults-only pool. Also opening on April 9, the vibrant adult-friendly escape W Costa Navarino is inviting golfers, friends, couples and families with young adults to indulge in an exciting season. Among the many highlights, culinary enthusiasts can look forward to the return of the “Chefs on Fire” series, whilst the “Ride the Wave” watersport sessions promise an adrenaline-fueled getaway. Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino reopens on April 10, inviting guests to experience a blend of Greek hospitality and the brand’s renowned Asian heritage. This season, the resort continues its exclusive “Stirring Stars” events, featuring globally acclaimed Michelin-starred guest chefs alongside exceptional wine events led by prestigious Greek and International wine houses. An enhanced Villa Rentals Collection Costa Navarino has expanded its Villa Rentals Collection for the 2025 season with new entries including, for the first time, exclusive properties in the beachfront Sea Dunes neighborhood. The collection features homes located either a few metres

The national charity, which was chosen as the club’s official charity for the next 12 months by London Golf Club staff members, is the UK’s only charity providing specialised nursing care and support for young people with cancer. The partnership – officially launched on World Cancer Day (Tuesday, February 4) – will see London Golf Club, its members and staff support the charity over the next 12 months through a range of activations, including a charity golf day. To help raise daily awareness and funds, club staff will wear Teenage Cancer Trust pin badges as part of their uniform throughout the year, donation tins and QR donation codes will be present around the club, while orders of special charity dishes on the clubhouse menu will see money donated to the charity through every purchase. Several staff members are also planning to take on the Three Peaks Challenge for the charity later this year – climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours. Stephen Follett, London Golf Club’s chief executive, said: “Every year our staff choose a fantastic charity to support, and I am extremely pleased that over the next 12 months we will be supporting and working with Teenage Cancer Trust. “I know our team has a lot planned for how we can help support the charity this year to allow them to continue with the great work they do for young people with cancer. Lynn Hyder, senior relationship manager for Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as London Golf Club’s chosen charity partner for 2025. Teenage Cancer Trust is here for anyone diagnosed with cancer aged 13-24, and their loved ones too. We fund specialist nurses and youth workers so young people with cancer get the sensitive, individual care and support they need at this unique and critical life stage. “The partnership with London Golf Club will ensure that we continue to be there for young people now and in the future and we are excited to see what is achieved in the months ahead.” London Golf Club, located in Ash, will continue to support The Community Cupboard in West Kingsdown, a charity it has supported since 2022 with seasonal food donations.

Estonian Golf & Country Club and Linna Golf are just 200km apart as the crow flies, separated by the Gulf of Finland in the north-east corner of Europe. Both opened in 2005 and have since followed remarkably similar journeys, playing crucial roles in growing golf in their respective countries, hosting elite tournaments and developing thriving businesses. Both clubs have also been part of the European Tour Destinations network (known back in 2005 as European Tour Courses) since day one. “It was a big decision and a significant financial outlay to become part of the network when we opened,” reflects Hanno Kross. “But it has turned out to be one of the best decisions we made at Estonian Golf & Country Club because it immediately gave us access to the best people in the business.  “We had high ambitions and we knew that being able to pick up the phone and talk to experts would be invaluable.” Esa Honkalehto adds: “I joined Linna Golf in 2017 having worked in professional ice hockey and baseball. I had played golf for a long time but I didn’t know the business, so I was very grateful to lean on the golf-related expertise of the European Tour Destinations team right from the start.” Tournament hosts Estonian Golf & Country Club had only been open four years when it hosted a European qualifying event for the 2009 Omega Mission Hills World Cup, and that same year Linna Golf hosted the SK Golf Challenge on the Challenge Tour, won by Nicolas Colsaerts. “It was a huge opportunity to showcase golf in Estonia to the world,” says Kross. “We had some of the best players in the world here, and it was also a chance to show Estonian media that golf is a genuine sport!” “It’s been part of our strategy to have one big tournament here every year. In 2026,we are hoping to host a HotelPlanner Tour (formerly the Challenge Tour) event. We’ve found it very motivating to have a goal like this to focus on.” It was a professional tournament that led Honkalehto to the CEO position at Linna Golf, when the club played host to a Legends Tour (then European Senior Tour) event in June 2017. He was part of the organising committee, and soon afterwards took over the running of the club. “Many things have changed since then,” he says. “The course was fantastic but as a business it was not making enough money to be sustainable. We put a new strategy in place to maximise green fee revenue and sell annual playing rights to non-shareholders. “We set ourselves a goal of reaching 100 new members with full playing privileges. After one year we had 40, and we reached the target within three years.” Redesigns and renovations Both venues have undergone significant renovations over the past two decades. At Estonian Golf & Country Club, located 25km from Tallinn, the capital, work has recently begun to expand the Stone Course from nine holes to 18.