Gastronomy
Kandooma Café transformed after interior refresh
Maldives.net.mv – Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, has unveiled a spectacular interactive buffet restaurant experience with newly refurbished Kandooma Café on October 21, 2015.
In an effort to create a unique dining experience to leisure guests who are mostly families, couples, and groups of friends, the restaurant has been designed to engage diners while delighting their sense of tastes.
The café’s brand new contemporary interior has been accentuated by the outstanding ambient light and music installations and lowered post ceilings festooned by diminutive fans to provide guests comfort and convenience. Big space of the floorings is made of grayish granite that adds a sophisticated look to the café while the use of white wash wood in select areas provides a bright resort feel.
Kandooma Cafe features an expansive buffet display and presents the most diverse cuisines by showcasing seven distinct stations that will make the guest’s culinary journey dining experience totally complete.
Flare station showcases unmatched live cooking performance from our award-winning chefs. An abode of spiced cuisines from Asian and Middle Eastern countries will make spicy food devotees crave for more, whilst continental gastronomies including vegetarian offerings feature both traditional and innovative dishes to satisfy the most discerning palates.
Asian favorites and various stir-fried delicacies are ready to fulfill the biggest of appetites and those yearning for that perfect roast will be delighted by the carving place.
Desserts are displayed in a climate controlled central showcase. Featuring a 5ft towering chocolate fountain and Teppanyaki ice cream station, enabling guests to flex their creativity in creating their very own sweet tooth fantasies.
Kids will not be forgotten as they always have a space in Holiday Inn Resort® Kandooma Maldives with our specially designed kids buffet display, just for kids and our “Kids Stay and Eat Free” menu program.
October saw the launch of the new Kid’s Menu. The unbelievably awesome “Kids Menu” lets the young ones choose either a Tasty Bite (burgers, soups, pizzas, etc.) or Go Local dish (sweet corn soup, tuna noodle patties, vegetarian congee, etc.) and select from the dessert and drink choices for their free set meal. The main meals provide a balance of vegetables, meat, wholegrain foods, fruits, and dairy. The menu has also been designed to reflect the colors and flavors that kids enjoy eating.
Joseph Della Gatta, general manager, Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma Maldives, said: “The resort has undergone a remarkable development of Kandooma Café over a short period of time, and our greatly anticipated re-opening of our flagship dining outlet is a key highlight of this year’s projects. We couldn’t be happier to be welcoming guests to dine in Kandooma Café as we believe that a big part of any holiday experience is the food we serve.”
Kandooma Cafe can accommodate 260 persons and is open daily for breakfast to dinner from 6:30 am until 10:00 pm.
Drink
French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to lead wine-pairing dinner at Milaidhoo Maldives
Milaidhoo Maldives will welcome French winemaker Pascal Jolivet to the island for an exclusive five-course wine-pairing dinner on 4 December, where guests will have the chance to meet him in person, discover his wines and hear more about his approach to winemaking.
Known for his distinctive wines from France’s Loire Valley, Pascal Jolivet will personally present a selection from his collection throughout the evening. Each wine will be paired with a specially created course, bringing together carefully prepared dishes and wines chosen to complement their flavours.
The selection will include Sancerre Signature 2023, Pouilly-Fumé Indigène 2023, Attitude Pinot Noir 2024 and Sancerre Rosé 2024, giving guests the chance to discover different styles from the winemaker’s collection.
Founded in 1987, Pascal Jolivet’s wine house has become well regarded for its approach to expressing the natural character of the Loire Valley’s vineyards. His wines are particularly recognised for their freshness, precision and elegance.
At Milaidhoo, food and wine are an important part of island life. With a strong focus on quality ingredients, varied culinary experiences and a carefully selected wine collection, the island attracts guests who appreciate good food and fine wines.
Nikhil Bakle, Resident Wine Sommelier at Milaidhoo Maldives, says: “What makes an evening like this special is the chance to go beyond the wine in the glass. Having Pascal with us means guests can hear directly from the winemaker, learn about his approach and discover what goes into each bottle. It is also a lovely opportunity to explore how these wines complement the food.”
Set in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, the evening will bring together good food, exceptional wines and the chance to meet the man behind the label, making it a special occasion for wine lovers visiting Milaidhoo.
Read more about Milaidhoo’s culinary offering here.
Drink
Milaidhoo Maldives celebrates International Men’s Day with ‘Gentlemen & Cocktails’
Milaidhoo Maldives will mark International Men’s Day with a cocktail-making competition for male guests, as the resort celebrates its tenth anniversary this November.
The occasion will also recognise the contributions of the men involved in the resort’s development and operations over the past decade. Since its establishment, Milaidhoo has maintained a focus on Maldivian hospitality and cultural traditions, with its original vision continuing to influence the guest experience.
As part of the celebrations, the resort will host Gentlemen & Cocktails, an interactive cocktail-making challenge at Compass Pool Bar.
The event will begin with a workshop led by the bar’s bartenders, who will introduce participants to the fundamentals of cocktail preparation. Following the workshop, participants will compete to create their own signature cocktails using a selection of ingredients.
Each participant will receive a black box containing secret ingredients, which must be incorporated into their creation. They will also be required to select an additional herb, vegetable or aromatic ingredient from the resort’s Chef’s Garden.
Participants will have a limited amount of time to prepare their cocktails, with their partners serving as judges. The creations will be assessed based on flavour, presentation and originality.
The winning cocktail will be featured as the Cocktail of the Day at Compass Pool Bar for one week. The winning couple will also be entitled to unlimited servings of their creation for the remainder of their stay.
The International Men’s Day celebrations form part of Milaidhoo Maldives’ tenth anniversary year, recognising the people who have contributed to the resort’s development and its approach to hospitality.
Through the cocktail-making competition, the resort aims to provide guests with an interactive experience while commemorating International Men’s Day.
Cooking
Sirru Fen Fushi welcomes back Chef Tristan Brandt for exclusive festive dining experiences
Following a successful residency at Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, the resort’s acclaimed Sirru Icons Series welcomes back Chef Tristan Brandt, one of Europe’s most acclaimed culinary talents and formerly Germany’s youngest two-Michelin-starred chef, for an exclusive festive season residency.
Renowned for his contemporary interpretation of French gastronomy, Chef Tristan has earned international recognition for combining classical technique, exceptional ingredients, and global influences to create refined dining experiences. Having trained under some of Germany’s most respected culinary masters, including Harald Wohlfahrt, and led acclaimed restaurants across Germany and Switzerland, he continues to be recognised as one of Europe’s leading culinary figures.

Set against the backdrop of the Maldives’ pristine natural beauty, Chef Tristan’s return residency offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the cuisine of one of Europe’s leading chefs in an intimate island setting.
As part of The Constellations of Moments, Sirru Fen Fushi’s festive season programme, Chef Tristan’s return brings a world-class gastronomic dimension to a season dedicated to celebration, discovery, and meaningful connections beneath the Maldivian sky.
Following the success of their previous collaboration, Chef Tristan Brandt will once again join forces with Sirru Fen Fushi’s Executive Chef Girish Sharma for an exclusive Six-Course Four Hands Dinner at Azure Restaurant on 29 December 2026. Showcasing Chef Tristan’s signature blend of French culinary craftsmanship and international influences alongside locally inspired flavours, the evening promises a refined gastronomic journey celebrating creativity, technique, and exceptional ingredients. Set within Azure’s elegant overwater setting, guests will enjoy an immersive dining experience where each course reflects the artistry and vision of two accomplished chefs.

To welcome the New Year, Chef Tristan will present an exclusive Signature Four-Course Dinner at Azure on 2 January 2027. Carefully curated to reflect his celebrated culinary philosophy, the menu will showcase refined flavour compositions, sophisticated techniques, and exceptional ingredients inspired by modern French gastronomy and global influences. The experience offers guests a rare opportunity to discover the creativity and precision that have earned Chef Tristan international acclaim.
Located within one of the Maldives’ largest natural lagoons, Sirru Fen Fushi offers a distinctive blend of luxury, nature, and discovery. Through the Sirru Icons Series, the resort continues to bring internationally acclaimed talents to the island, creating meaningful experiences that connect guests with exceptional people, cultures, and ideas.
Building on the success of his previous residency, Chef Tristan’s return further reflects Sirru Fen Fushi’s commitment to curating exceptional experiences through long-standing collaborations with internationally acclaimed talents.

Set within the tranquil beauty of the resort’s natural island surroundings, Chef Tristan Brandt’s residency promises unforgettable moments where elevated gastronomy meets barefoot luxury, offering discerning travellers an extraordinary culinary experience in one of the Maldives’ most inspiring destinations.
For further information and reservations, please visit the resort’s official website or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
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