Gastronomy
Two-Star Michelin Chef Heiko Nieder returns to Anantara and Naladhu Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – Anantara and Naladhu Maldives will welcome back Two-Star Michelin Chef Heiko Nieder to their kitchen for a two-night guest chef appearance in the first week of August 2015. Delighting epicurean travellers staying at Naladhu, Anantara Dhigu and Anantara Veli Resort & Spa in South Male Atoll, Chef Heiko will create an exquisite nine-course tasting menu, served exclusively at The Living Room in Naladhu for two evenings.
The driving force since 2008 at The Restaurant in The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Chef Heiko is renowned for his fresh and innovative gourmet cuisine, and was awarded two Michelin stars in 2011. Further accolades include the Gault Millau since 2012 and for Chef Heiko personally in 2014 he was awarded the titles of “Best German Chef abroad” by Gault Millau Germany and “Le Grand Chef du Guide Bleu” by Guide Bleu 2014/15 for his culinary creations.
After training at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten (Hamburg ) Heiko Nieder went to Le Canard Josef Viehhauser in Hamburg in 1994, and in 1995 to the Zur Traube for Dieter L. Kaufmann, Grevenbroich. In 1997 he joined Vau in Berlin. In 2002, he came as a chef in the l’ Orquivit in Bonn, where he was awarded the Michelin Guide of 2005 with his first Michelin star.
“Having watched documentaries on Chef Heiko and after the distinct pleasure of his first guest dinner with us in March this year, I admire his dedication to perfection, being under pressure every day to deliver a two-star Michelin experience,” compliments Torsten Richter, Cluster General Manager of Naladhu and Anantara Resorts in South Male Atoll. “Chef Heiko has a contemporary plating style, which is in keeping with the elegant surrounds of The Living Room and timeless nature of Naladhu. It is an honour for us that Chef Heiko will be returning for special appearance, cooking solely for just 16 guests each night. It will be truly a memorable event, and one which places The Maldives high on the international map for culinary excellence.”
To reserve one of 16 seats for the special event, please contact the Anantara reservations office directly at reservations.maldives@anantara.com
Drink
Emerald Faarufushi to welcome Hunter’s Wines winemaker James Macdonald for wine dinner
Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa has announced its first Hunter’s Wine Dinner, scheduled for 17 November 2026, bringing together Italian cuisine and wines from New Zealand producer Hunter’s Wines.
The event will feature a five-course Italian dining experience, with each course paired with selected wines from Hunter’s Wines. The dinner will be hosted by James Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Winemaker at Hunter’s Wines, alongside Chelsea Macdonald.
The evening will provide guests with an opportunity to explore the relationship between food and wine, with the pairings designed to complement the flavours and characteristics of each course. Guests will also have the opportunity to engage with the hosts and learn more about the wines, winemaking techniques and principles of food and wine pairing.
Based in Marlborough, New Zealand, Hunter’s Wines is a family-owned winery established in 1979. The winery has played a role in the development of Marlborough’s wine industry and produces a range of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
James Macdonald, a member of the Hunter family, holds a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Lincoln University. He has gained winemaking experience internationally and currently oversees winemaking operations while contributing to the winery’s management and development.
The upcoming dinner forms part of Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa’s culinary offerings, which include international dining experiences across its restaurants and bars.
Located on a seven-hectare private island in Raa Atoll, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa is a five-star property operated by the Italian family-owned Emerald Collection. The resort is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and operates under a Deluxe All-Inclusive concept.
The property features 80 villas, comprising 38 beach villas and 42 overwater villas, surrounded by a lagoon and house reef. Its dining facilities include Aqua Restaurant, Beach Club Grill, Carnivorous Restaurant, Le Asiatique and Mediterraneo, offering Mediterranean, Asian and other international cuisines.
Additional facilities include The Emerald Spa, which offers Thai and Balinese treatments, a fitness centre, water sports and recreational activities. The resort is accessible by a seaplane journey of approximately 45 minutes from Velana International Airport.
The Hunter’s Wine Dinner on 17 November will provide another opportunity for guests to experience the resort’s culinary programme through a collaboration with an international wine producer.
Drink
Baros Maldives welcomes Italian winemaker Maria Stella for exclusive wine dinner
There is something special about discovering a place through its wines. This November, Baros Maldives invites guests to experience a taste of Tuscany with an exclusive wine dinner celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship of Poliziano, hosted by third-generation winemaker Maria Stella.
Set against the beautiful ocean backdrop of The Lighthouse Restaurant, the intimate evening will take place on Sunday 29 November 2026, at 7 pm, bringing together fine wines, thoughtfully prepared cuisine and the pleasure of sharing a table.
Founded in 1961 by Dino Carletti in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Poliziano has long been guided by a deep connection to its land and the traditions of its region. Its name reflects both its Tuscan home and a tribute to Renaissance poet Angelo Ambrogini, known as Poliziano. Over the decades, the winery has remained true to its origins, producing wines that speak of their landscape, heritage and the people behind them.
Leading the evening, Maria Stella will share the story of Poliziano through a selection of its wines, offering guests a personal perspective on the family’s winemaking heritage and the philosophy that continues to shape the estate.
Each wine will be accompanied by a specially created dinner course, with pairings designed to bring out the character of both the glass and the plate.
Limited to just 16 guests, the dinner is intended to be as much about the company and conversation as it is about the wines themselves. An evening to slow down, discover something new and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food and wine in wonderful surroundings.
The experience is priced at USD 235 per guest, inclusive of the specially curated dinner menu and wine pairings. Advance reservations are essential, with seating limited to 16 guests.
Event Details:
- Date: Sunday 29 November 2026
- Time: 7 pm
- Venue: The Lighthouse Restaurant, Baros Maldives
For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.
Food
Michelin-starred Chef Charles Coulombeau to host exclusive residency at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will welcome Michelin-starred French chef Charles Coulombeau from 26 to 28 November 2026.
The three-day programme opens with sunset cocktails and canapés, followed by a fine dining evening at Muraka Restaurant and a special cooking class with the chef.
Coulombeau leads the kitchen at La Maison dans le Parc in Nancy, France, which holds one Michelin star. His cooking pairs modern French technique with influences from his time in Japan, bringing ingredients such as citrus and seaweed into dishes shaped by seasonal produce.
The culinary programme:
- Thursday, 26 November | Sunset cocktails and canapés. The programme opens with sunset cocktails and Michelin-inspired canapés, offering guests a first taste of the chef’s approach ahead of Friday’s fine dining event.
- Friday, 27 November | Fine dining at Muraka Restaurant. Coulombeau will present a special dinner at the resort’s overwater Muraka Restaurant, where guests can experience his modern French cooking overlooking the Indian Ocean.
- Saturday, 28 November | Special Cooking Class. Guests will have the opportunity to learn directly from Coulombeau and explore some of the techniques behind his cooking.
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection offers an intimate island retreat in the Maldives, with beach and overwater accommodation, dining overlooking the ocean, and experiences on and beneath the water.
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