In the world of fine dining, where flavors tell stories and every bite is a journey, an extraordinary culinary event has taken center stage.

If your boots were made for a little bit more than just walking, Bhutan is probably already at the top of your bucket list –and rightfully so. Nicknamed the ‘mountain fortress of the gods’, Bhutan is arguably made up of the most elusive and diversified stretch of the majestic Himalayan mountains.

Fast-paced Mumbai is an influential hub for art, fashion and design and draws visitors with its fascinating mix of architectural styles, cutting-edge restaurant scene, and plethora of chic boutiques.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed about the state of the planet, as stories about climate change fill our media feeds. But the good news is that we can effect change in many ways, including how we eat and drink.

Our elixir of life is vital but we don’t just drink water out of necessity. From your morning mocha fix (a cup of coffee is 98% water) to your happy hour Moscow mule (vodka is 60% water), the basis of most day-to-day refreshments is – water.

There’s magic in the Bhutanese air. Regularly topping “world’s happiest countries” lists, Bhutan is also the only carbon-negative country in the world—and it holds the title of global biodiversity hotspot.

After water, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world. Tea comes in many varieties, flavors and aromas and tea lovers around the world carefully select high-quality loose-leaf teas based on their preferences.

A high-end dining experience doesn’t begin and end when the guest enters and exits the restaurant. It begins weeks or months before, when one first hears about it.

VEEN Scene chats to India and Bhutan’s first certified water sommeliers, Ganesh Iyer and Jana Jaganathan, about their unique training and the importance of their new found knowledge of the one of the most important elements in our day-today lives.

Plastic waste is the plague of the 21st century; a full-scale environmental catastrophe that lacks a short-term solution.

Fine dining is a special experience. It’s an opportunity for people to escape the daily routine of their lives; to try new things and spoil themselves with decadent food and drink.

With its dragons and tigers, majestic mountains and ancient traditions, Bhutan is like nowhere else on earth. We discover why the Himalayan destination, the source of VEEN’s pure mineral water, is a must-see for discerning travellers.

Having travelled far and wide to work on various continents, chef Alex Moser has plied his culinary craft in numerous kitchens during his 20-year career with Hyatt.

You have to feel sorry for water; it’s the single most important element for sustaining human, animal and plant life on this planet, and yet most of us take it for granted.