News
Walter Butti appointed as Cluster Executive Chef for Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – Anantara has welcomed Walter Butti as Cluster Executive Chef at their three resorts in South Male Atoll. Chef Walter brings 22 years of international experience to his role in the culinary industry across Australia, Germany, Ghana, Switzerland, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Having worked with highly regarded chefs such as Frédy Girardet, Jackie Donatz, Thomas Byrne and Werner Martin, Chef Walter brings an added dimension of interest and acclaim to the resorts.
In his role Walter oversees all culinary aspects of the food and beverage, including Baan Huraa, Origami, Dhoni bar and 73 degrees on Anantara Veli, Aqua Bar, Fushi Café, Terrazzo and the rebrand of Fuddan to Sea Fire Salt on Anantara Dhigu, The Living Room on Naladhu, as well as In-Room and Residence Dining and the signature Dining by Design private events for Anantara guests.
A native of Switzerland, Chef Walter brings his “Swissness” to the breakfast tables with Bircher muesli selections as well as specialty cheeses. Traditional cuisine is served in its purest form for French and Italian meals, fusion only in the technical presentation but not in taste, and light cuisine for healthy indulgences such as potato foam on eggs benedict in place of hollandaise sauce. Plenty of vegetables, pulses, quinoa and the herb garden full of fruit, spices and everyday goodness is how Chef Walter is directing his culinary team of 120 strong.
“My vision for this unique cluster of 3 resorts in one lagoon is to bring the guest’s dining experience to another level.” he says. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with some really inspirational chefs over the years. and I am looking forward to sharing some of this with Anantara and Naladhu guests.”
Guests staying at Anantara Dhigu, Anantara Veli and Naladhu Maldives will enjoy interacting with Chef Walter as he does his daily rounds through all restaurants.
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.
Awards
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives earns TUI Global Hotel Award recognition
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives has been recognised as a Quality Winner at the TUI Global Hotel Awards 2026, an accolade based on guest feedback from travellers worldwide. The recognition reflects the resort’s delivery of guest experiences shaped by service standards, facilities and alignment with evolving traveller preferences.
Located in North Malé Atoll, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives offers a range of accommodation options, with more than 140 units including overwater suites, beach bungalows and duplex garden bungalows. The resort is designed to accommodate couples, families and groups.
The resort features seven dining venues offering a mix of international and local cuisine. Tex Mex serves Mexican and Spanish-inspired dishes, while Dalchini offers an Indian à la carte menu available for lunch and dinner. Raalhu Bar provides a setting for evening refreshments, with views of the sunset.
Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is also known for Pasta Point, a surf break recognised for its left-hand waves. The resort attracts surfers from international markets who travel to access the location. Surf operations at Pasta Point are managed by Atoll Adventures, with bookings handled through Atoll Travel to ensure a structured approach to surf access.
The TUI Global Hotel Awards are determined by guest reviews, making the recognition an indicator of guest satisfaction. The resort’s inclusion as a Quality Winner reflects its performance in meeting guest expectations within the Maldives tourism sector.
Drink
Sirru Fen Fushi showcases mixology collaboration during Easter programme
Sirru Fen Fushi Private Lagoon Resort hosted a two-day Behind the Bar experience as part of its Easter programme, bringing together contemporary mixology and craft-led guest experiences.
The event featured collaborations with Modernhaus, led by Bar Manager Upay Aldi, and The Cocktail Club, represented by Co-Founder Mirwansyah Bule, both from Indonesia. Over two evenings, guests were invited to engage with the bartenders’ techniques, flavour profiles and creative processes, with Modernhaus recognised among Asia’s 50 Best Bars.
The programme included a curated selection of cocktails prepared using ingredients such as cempaka-infused whisky, hibiscus ginger maple, wasabi spirit, jasmine peach, coconut chai milk, salted tamarind, yuzu whey, salted fino sherry, sake gomme, guava vodka, Thai tea liqueur and malic. The offerings reflected a combination of tropical elements and contemporary mixology methods.
The first evening took place at Kata, the resort’s Japanese-fusion restaurant, where the experience was set against sunset views over the lagoon. The second evening was held at Raha Market in a beachside setting, offering a more informal atmosphere while maintaining the focus on crafted cocktails.
The event formed part of Sirru Fen Fushi’s ongoing programming, which centres on curated guest experiences and collaborations with international talent in food and beverage.
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