Cooking
Anantara launches Maldivian cooking classes
Maldives.net.mv – Adding to the Anantara range of Spice Spoons cooking classes in Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates, the chefs at Anantara in the Maldives have combined their gourmet knowledge to produce a set of 13 Maldivian recipes for a cooking class, creating an indigenous culinary journey for guests.
From serious foodies to hobby chefs, Spice Spoons offers insightful experiences for eager epicureans. The history of food is the history of its people, and exploring a country’s authentic cuisine reveals great insight into its heritage. Maldivian dishes reflect the pure simplicity of island life. Crystal waters abundant with fish encapsulate 26 island atolls where coconut, mangoes, bananas and watermelon grow in abundance. Centuries of trade with the Indian sub-continent, Africa, Arabia and the Far East have enriched the local palate with an exciting blend of herbs and spices from neighbouring continents. The result is an understated cuisine infused with subliminal flavours and nutritional benefits.
Budding master chefs start the morning of culinary discovery with a fresh Thai coconut drink to get their creative juices flowing, before joining the resort’s Thai chef in the Chef’s Garden. As they collect fresh herbs and vegetables the chef explains the different uses of these in Maldivian cuisine.
Back at the kitchen participants don their specially designed Spice Spoons aprons, which are theirs to keep as a memento of this unique experience. A theory class may not be what holidaymakers had in mind when packing for paradise, but the real life setting of a working kitchen soon turns any angst into amazement when culinary techniques are explained, kitchen skills are demonstrated and tricks of the trade are shared.
With the assistance of the chef, the newfound culinary knowledge is put into practice when participants each prepare a three-course menu of Maldivian tongue-twisting dishes. These dishes not only clearly demonstrate the basic principles of Maldivian cuisine, but all the ingredients can also be easily found when wanting to impress family and friends back home. Once the chef nods his head in approval that all students have mastered the art of Maldivian cooking, aprons are discarded, beverages are paired and served by waiters stepping in to bring the culinary master pieces to the table.
When staying at Anantara Hotels & Resorts, enquire about the Spice Spoons Culinary Journey. As a reminder of the engaging gastronomic experience, students take home an apron, a shopping bag, a chopping board and a certificate, as well as a set of recipe cards complete with beverage recommendations for each dish. Anantara also offers Thai Spice Spoons cooking classes upon request to learn about the diverse and tantalising cuisine of salty, sour, spicy and sweet tastes of Thailand. Visit www.anantara.com and www.naladhu.com to reserve your stay.
Cooking
Kandolhu Maldives announces culinary collaboration with Chef Fabrizio Zanetti
Following a season of culinary collaborations, Kandolhu Maldives has announced that Executive Chef Fabrizio Zanetti will visit the resort this October for a series of dining events.
The resort said the programme would offer guests an opportunity to experience Zanetti’s cuisine through a number of exclusive dining experiences.
Originally from St Moritz, Zanetti has led the kitchens at Hotel Suvretta House in St Moritz for more than a decade. The five-star Suvretta House, built in 1912 by Swiss hotelier Anton Bon, recently opened a new 4,670-square metre spa for the 2025-2026 winter season.
Zanetti has also worked at Michelin-starred establishments including Baur au Lac in Zurich and Savoy Grill in London. His work has been recognised with 17 points in the Gault-Millau Guide 2025 and the Mérite Culinaire Suisse award. In 2024, he was also named Gault-Millau Rising Star of the Year.
The collaboration at Kandolhu Maldives will begin on Wednesday, 14 October, with a three-course à la carte lunch at The Market.
A four-course dinner will follow on Saturday, 17 October, at Olive Restaurant. The evening will begin with a meet-and-greet with Chef Zanetti before dinner is served.
On Wednesday, 21 October, Olive Restaurant will also host a five-course Wine and Dine event, which will include a personal introduction from the chef.
Kandolhu Maldives said each evening event at Olive Restaurant would be limited to 22 guests, offering an intimate dining setting overlooking the Indian Ocean. The resort has encouraged guests to reserve early for the programme.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents a new chapter in destination dining with the launch of its Secret Garden concept, a thoughtfully designed experience that brings guests into a secluded setting surrounded by nature, soft lighting, and carefully curated details.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, Secret Garden is created for those moments that deserve more than a traditional dinner. The space is styled with flowing drapes, warm candlelight, and natural greenery, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels both personal and special. It is a setting that invites guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
At the centre of the experience is a seven-course menu, crafted to guide guests through a balanced journey of flavours. Each course is presented with care, with live cooking moments adding a sense of theatre and interaction throughout the evening. The service remains attentive yet discreet, allowing the experience to feel seamless and uninterrupted.
Guests can choose between two tailored offerings. The Romantic Escape focuses on the dining experience itself, complemented by a beautifully arranged setup and personalised service. For those looking to extend the evening, the Ultimate Romance Experience adds thoughtful touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, a private cinema moment under the open sky, in-villa breakfast the next day, and special bed decoration to complete the occasion.
The concept also allows for additional customisation, from floral arrangements to bespoke messages and decorative details, giving guests the flexibility to shape the evening around their celebration, whether it is a birthday, proposal, or simply a meaningful time together.
With Secret Garden, Kuredhivaru continues to expand its dining experiences beyond traditional venues, offering guests something more personal and immersive. It reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, where every detail is considered, and each experience is designed to feel natural, effortless, and quietly memorable.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 6563000.
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