Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection brought together creativity and celebration with an exclusive Signature Bar Takeover at Fuze Bar, featuring Indian mixologist Ami Shroff. The two-day experience was curated to mark the spirit of global celebrations that honour women and their achievements, creating a space that blended craft, conversation, and connection.

Set along the calm coastal surroundings of Bentota, the evening offered guests a relaxed yet lively atmosphere. The specially curated cocktail menu showcased a mix of familiar flavours with creative twists, while subtle flair bartending added a touch of movement and charm to the experience. Ami’s presence behind the bar stood out for its ease and confidence, engaging guests while keeping the focus on the overall experience.

The following day, the celebration continued with a hands-on workshop led by Ami for the resort’s Food & Beverage team and young hospitality enthusiasts. The session focused on practical techniques, emerging trends, and the basics of cocktail making, offering valuable insights into the evolving world of mixology.

Recognised as one of India’s pioneering female mixologists, Ami Shroff has built a strong presence in the industry over more than two decades. She has played an important role in shaping modern bar culture in India, combining performance with technical skill. Her achievements include being named Mixologist of the Year at the INCA Awards in 2019, and she is widely known for encouraging innovation while supporting greater female representation in the field.

The event at Cinnamon Bentota Beach – Signature Selection highlighted mixology as an engaging and collaborative part of hospitality, while also celebrating Women’s Day through a meaningful and well-curated experience.

The Anam Cam Ranh has introduced a new degustation menu at its fine dining restaurant, The Colonial, offering a fresh take on Vietnamese cuisine with global influences. Designed to bring together different flavours and textures, the new menu reflects a creative approach to modern dining.

Curated by chefs Duy Anh Nguyen and Banh Thanh Toan, the six-course experience is served at The Colonial, a space known for its elegant setting with an open kitchen, grand piano, and a courtyard surrounded by lush gardens. Guests also have the option to enjoy a curated wine pairing alongside the meal.

The dining journey begins with an amuse-bouche that includes a giant clam with sausage and daikon jams, miso cauliflower sauce, herbs and salmon roe, along with Vietnamese beef tartare paired with caramelised cashew fish sauce, crispy garlic, and betel leaf. This is followed by a starter of Hokkaido scallop ceviche with pink pomelo, yellow tangerine, Wakame cracker, kimchi broth, and imperial caviar.

The soup course features poached buttermilk Black Cod fish served with ponzu caramelized onion, green chilli kosho, and a creamy caviar relish sauce. A refreshing laska lime sorbet is then served to cleanse the palate before moving on to the main course.

For the main, guests are served grain 150-day Black Angus tenderloin with eggplant puree and beef jus infused with homemade chili and basil. It is accompanied by Vietnamese ST25 fragrant rice with corn and green beans, bringing a balanced mix of local and global elements to the plate.

The experience concludes with a dessert of dark chocolate custard made with 75% cacao, paired with fermented coffee sauce and coconut ice-cream, offering a rich and satisfying finish. Wines from Italy, Australia, Chile, France, and Portugal are available as part of the optional pairing, complementing each course.

“We set out to push the boundaries by pairing Vietnamese ingredients with international flavours and techniques in unexpected ways,” Mr Duy Anh said. “The menu is about contrast,  delicate and bold, familiar and surprising, coming together in a way that tells a contemporary story of Vietnamese cuisine.”

The Colonial, inspired by Vietnam’s Indochine-era design, focuses on modern European and French cuisine with subtle Vietnamese influences. By day, it serves as a premium breakfast venue and club lounge for select guests, and by night, it transforms into a fine dining destination.

Adding to its recognition, The Anam Cam Ranh was recently featured among the 100 best hotels in the world on Fodor’s Finest Hotels list for 2025, further highlighting its growing presence in the global hospitality space.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is bringing back its much-loved ‘Rendez-vous’ dining series with a special culinary showcase at Le Beaulieu. The highlight of this edition is a four-hands dinner featuring Michelin-starred Chef Thibault Sombardier, scheduled for March 27 and 28.

Chef Thibault, known for leading some of France’s well-known restaurants, currently heads Restaurant Anne in Paris. Located within the historic Pavillon de la Reine, the restaurant earned a Michelin star under his leadership, reflecting his refined approach to French cuisine.

For this exclusive experience, Chef Thibault will collaborate with Restaurant Anne’s Executive Chef Matthieu Pirola and Le Beaulieu’s Chef de Cuisine Charles Degrendele. Together, they will present a specially curated six-course menu that brings together classical French techniques with a modern touch, using seasonal ingredients.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Chef Charles said, “This sophisticated culinary dialogue promises a gastronomic experience both accessible and profoundly evocative.”

The event is expected to draw strong interest, with limited seating available. Guests can choose between a dinner-only experience or opt for a wine pairing. Members of ALL Accor+ Explorer can avail special discounts on both the menu and wine pairing.

The ‘Rendez-vous’ series, introduced in 2024, focuses on bringing Michelin-star guest chefs together with Chef Charles to create unique dining moments. Over time, it has become one of the standout fine-dining experiences in Hanoi.

Le Beaulieu itself carries a rich legacy, with a history of 125 years, making it one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in Vietnam. While it continues to serve timeless classics like lobster bisque and crêpes Suzette with traditional guéridon service, the restaurant also explores modern French cuisine with subtle Vietnamese influences.

Adding to its evolving menu, Chef Charles recently introduced a honey-inspired tasting experience that highlights unique varieties of honey sourced from different regions of Vietnam, paired thoughtfully with premium ingredients.

This year is also special for Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi as it marks its 125th anniversary. Since opening in 1901, the hotel has been a key part of the city’s history. To celebrate this milestone, a series of curated events is planned throughout the year, blending its heritage with a forward-looking approach to luxury hospitality.