From 25 October to 3 November 2026, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives will welcome Chef Joshua Acquaviva, Head Chef of Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan, for a ten-day residency at Pibati Sul Mare, the resort’s beachside Italian restaurant.

Working alongside Executive Chef Frank Wackerhagen and the island’s culinary team, Chef Joshua will present a selection of dishes shaped by his Italian heritage, with a particular affection for pasta and pizza — two traditions deeply connected to his Neapolitan roots.

Born in Naples in 1995, Chef Joshua knew from an early age that the kitchen would become his world. His career has since taken him through some of Italy’s most accomplished kitchens, including VistaMare at Hotel Il Fogliano, where he contributed to the restaurant earning its first Michelin star; two-Michelin-starred Kresios in Telese; and Il Faro di Capo d’Orso on the Amalfi Coast, where he spent four formative years as Sous Chef. In 2022, he joined Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan and progressed from Chef de Partie to Head Chef within two years. Today, his cooking balances technical precision with a deep connection to Italian ingredients, memory and place.

At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, that philosophy will meet a distinctly different landscape.

Rather than recreating Milan by the Indian Ocean, the residency will bring the two kitchens together through a shared respect for ingredients, technique and simplicity. Chef Joshua’s cooking will remain true to its Italian foundations while responding naturally to Kothaifaru, with carefully selected produce and herbs cultivated on the island bringing subtle freshness to the experience.

Italian Cooking, Shaped by Its Island Setting

Set beside the beach, Pibati Sul Mare takes its name from the Sanskrit word “Pibati”, meaning “to drink, absorb or imbibe”. The restaurant carries that invitation into a dining experience intended to be enjoyed at an unhurried pace.

Its menu centres on artisanal pizzas and handcrafted pastas, bringing together Italian classics and island-inspired flavours. Carefully selected ingredients and homegrown herbs lend freshness and character to the cooking, while the setting balances contemporary elegance with the ease of the coast. With the Indian Ocean beyond the table, Pibati Sul Mare offers a refined yet relaxed expression of Italian dining in the Maldives.

Throughout the residency, guests will also be invited to join intimate pizza-making sessions at Pibati’s counter. Limited to eight participants, each session will offer time to work with the dough, learn directly from the chefs and understand the details behind a well-made pizza. Where demand requires, staggered sessions will be arranged to preserve the personal nature of the experience.

“Welcoming Joshua to Kothaifaru is not about moving one restaurant into another,” said Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “It is about creating space for two kitchens to meet, with respect for what each place brings. Our guests will experience the craft of an Italian chef in a setting that belongs unmistakably to this island, with rare access to the people and thinking behind each dish. That intimacy, rather than formality, is central to our idea of luxury at Alila.”

The residency reflects Alila’s approach to experiences that are personal, rooted in place and shaped by genuine exchange. For the chefs, it creates an opportunity to share techniques, ideas and perspectives across two distinct kitchens. For guests, that exchange becomes tangible at the table — in the handling of the dough, the making of pasta, the use of an island-grown herb and the story behind a finished plate.

“Joshua and I share a respect for cooking that is clear, disciplined and rooted in strong foundations,” said Frank Wackerhagen, Executive Chef of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives. “At Pibati Sul Mare, we are fortunate to have a talented team of chefs who bring tremendous skill, care and character to the kitchen every day. This residency gives them the opportunity to work closely with Joshua, exchange ideas and build on their craft together. We will begin with the essentials — well-rested dough, pasta made by hand, sauces developed with patience and ingredients treated with respect — then allow Kothaifaru to come through naturally in the herbs, the produce and the way each dish is enjoyed beside the sea.”

For Chef Joshua, the residency is also an opportunity to return to the flavours that have accompanied him from the beginning of his career. Pizza and pasta remain central to his culinary identity, not simply as familiar Italian staples, but as expressions of technique, memory and generosity.

“Naples has shaped the way I understand food from the very beginning,” said Joshua Acquaviva, Head Chef of Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan. “Pasta and pizza are part of that identity, and they remain at the heart of how I cook today. What excites me about coming to Kothaifaru is the opportunity to share those traditions in a completely different setting, while working alongside Frank and the Pibati team. Good cooking is also about exchange — learning from one another, respecting the ingredients in front of you and creating something guests can connect with.”

From the refinement of Pellico 3 to the natural rhythm of island life, the residency brings together two distinct expressions of hospitality through a common culinary language. It is a meeting of people and place, expressed through food that carries its heritage confidently while remaining open to its surroundings.

Chef Joshua Acquaviva’s residency at Pibati Sul Mare will take place from 25 October to 3 November 2026. The guest menu and pizza-making sessions will be subject to availability, with advance reservations recommended.

To reserve your place in advance, contact kothaifaru@alilahotels.com. Follow @alilamaldives on Instagram as Chef Joshua Acquaviva’s residency unfolds at Pibati Sul Mare.

At Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, the festive season began with a story shaped by island traditions, the spirit of togetherness and the warmth of Maldivian hospitality. Set against the golden hues of an Indian Ocean sunset, the resort’s Cake Mixing Ceremony on 20 September 2026 brought a cherished Christmas tradition to life through a distinctly Maldivian experience.

Titled The Sailor’s Christmas Chronicle, the celebration imagined the arrival of a seafaring captain and his crew at R. Meedhoo Faru, where they were welcomed by islanders to share in the preparation of the Christmas cake. Inspired by the resort’s commitment to celebrating local culture and heritage, the experience brought together the customs of island life and the festive traditions enjoyed by guests from around the world.

The beach transformed into a lively setting for storytelling, beginning with scenes of traditional Maldivian life. Guests watched as islanders scraped coconuts, tapped toddy and prepared local food, before the arrival of the captain and his crew. Welcomed with fresh coconut juice and the rhythmic sounds of Bodu Beru, one of the Maldives’ most treasured cultural expressions, the sailors joined the islanders in a celebration that reflected the warmth and generosity of the local community. A surprise appearance by Santa Claus added a playful touch to the occasion.

At the heart of the ceremony was the traditional mixing of dried fruits, nuts and aromatic spices, an occasion that invited guests to become part of the story. Joining the islanders, sailors and resort team, guests took part in preparing the festive blend, symbolising the coming together of cultures, traditions andfriendships. The experience was accompanied by a lively musical atmosphere, featuring a live DJ and a musical duo with a saxophonist, alongside canapés, cocktails and warm mulled wine.

Held from 6.00 pm the sunset celebration was especially meaningful for the many returning guests who came back to the island to share in the festivities. With all in-house guests invited to participate, the ceremony became an opportunity for first time visitors and familiar faces alike to connect with the destination, its people and one another.

More than a seasonal culinary tradition, the Cake Mixing Ceremony offered a glimpse into the character of Adaaran Select Meedhupparu: an island home where cultural discovery and heartfelt hospitality are woven into the guest experience. The festive fruit mixture, prepared together on the beach, will mature over the coming weeks before becoming the Christmas cake served during the resort’s holiday celebrations, carrying the memories of the evening into the festive season.

Speaking on the occasion, Suresh Athukorala, General Manager of Adaaran Select Meedhupparu and Adaaran Prestige Water Villas, said: “At Adaaran Select Meedhupparu, we always take pride in celebrating local culture and showcasing the authentic Maldivian way of life to our guests. The Cake Mixing Ceremony is a wonderful example of this. Through ‘The Sailor’s Christmas Chronicle,’ we brought together the timeless island traditions of coconut scraping, toddy tapping and Bodu Beru with the joy of a festive celebration loved around the world.”

“Seeing so many of our returning guests stirring the mix alongside first-time visitors and our own team was truly heartwarming. This ceremony marks the beginning of our festive season, and we look forward to welcoming our guests to a season filled with celebration, flavour and the genuine warmth of Maldivian hospitality.”

As the sun dipped below the horizon and the evening unfolded in music, conversation and shared celebration, The Sailor’s Christmas Chronicle captured the essence of the festive season at Adaaran Select Meedhupparu: a celebration of tradition, community and the joy of bringing people together in the heart of the Maldives.

On 1st December 2026, Ifuru Island Maldives will mark its 3rd anniversary with “Global Harmony,” a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity and connection, bringing people together through the universal languages of fashion, dance and music.

Created around the message “Different cultures. One rhythm. One Ifuru.”, Global Harmony celebrates the many cultures, traditions and individual expressions that come together on one island.

The concept recognises that people may come from different countries, speak different languages, follow different traditions and express themselves in different ways, yet when those differences come together, they can create something extraordinary.

For Ifuru Island Maldives, the anniversary is not only an opportunity to celebrate another year. It is a moment to celebrate the people, cultures and shared experiences that continue to shape the spirit of Ifuru.

A Celebration Without Borders

At the heart of Global Harmony will be a creative fusion of fashion, dance and music, with different segments drawing inspiration from cultures, countries and styles from around the world.

Moving beyond the format of a traditional fashion show, the anniversary celebration is envisioned as a continuous performance in which fashion and movement become part of the same story.

Models will take to the stage in looks inspired by different parts of the world, with each fashion sequence transitioning naturally into a dance performance reflecting the culture, energy or character represented.

A traditional inspired look may lead into cultural movement, which can then evolve into a contemporary or fusion performance. As the evening progresses, individual styles and influences will begin to merge, building towards one collective finale.

The result will be a visual representation of the idea behind Global Harmony: different cultures and different styles finding one rhythm together.

Different Cultures. One Rhythm.

The 3rd anniversary theme reflects the international spirit of island life.

Every day, people from different backgrounds meet at Ifuru Island. Guests, team members, friends and partners each bring their own stories, traditions, personalities and experiences.

Global Harmony turns that diversity into the centrepiece of the anniversary celebration.

Rather than presenting cultures separately, the concept focuses on the beauty that emerges when they interact. Fashion becomes movement, movement follows music, and individual performances gradually become one shared celebration.

The finale will bring the different cultural and creative influences together, symbolising unity without losing individuality.

It is a message that feels particularly meaningful for Ifuru: people do not need to be the same to belong together.

Celebrating the Spirit of One Ifuru

The 3rd anniversary on 1st December will celebrate not only Ifuru Island’s journey, but also the community that has grown alongside it.

From memorable holidays and celebrations to friendships and shared island moments, the anniversary provides an opportunity to reflect on the experiences that have become part of Ifuru’s story while looking forward to those still to come.

Through Global Harmony, the island will celebrate not simply another year, but the connections created along the way.

Against the natural backdrop of the Maldives, fashion, dance and music will come together to create an anniversary experience filled with colour, energy, movement and cultural expression.

As each individual performance becomes part of something bigger, the evening will ultimately return to one simple message: “Different cultures. One rhythm. One Ifuru.”

EVENT DETAILS

• Celebration: Ifuru Island Maldives 3rd Anniversary
• Theme: Global Harmony
• Date: 1 December 2026
• Location: Ifuru Island Maldives
• Concept: A fusion of cultural fashion, dance and music
• Tagline: “Different cultures. One rhythm. One Ifuru.”

Further details on the anniversary programme, performances and entertainment will be announced closer to the celebration.

Set amid the natural beauty of the Maldives, Ifuru Island Maldives brings together island living, dining, entertainment and memorable experiences in a destination shaped by freedom, connection and discovery.

With guests and team members from different parts of the world coming together on one island, Ifuru celebrates individuality, shared experiences and the connections that turn an island holiday into something more meaningful.