Gastronomy
Chef Akira Back goes to new extremes at PER AQUUM
																								
												
												
											
Maldives.net.mv – He’s tackled the slopes as a professional snowboarder. He’s trained with master chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Masaharu Morimoto. He’s championed his own cutting-edge cuisine, exploring a Korean twist on Japanese fine dining. And he’s won the hearts, and palates, of top celebrities. His fans including the likes of Eva Longoria, Taylor Swift, Pink, The Olsen Twins, Wilmer Valderamma, Kelly Osbourne, Ryan Kwanten, Joe Jonas and David Arquette.
When he arrives in the Maldives this April, Chef Akira Back will take on his newest thrilling challenge. PER AQUUM’s Maldivian resorts welcome Chef Akira to hit the waves, source the freshest catch and wow four groups of lucky diners as they join him for a private dinner in jungle treetops or deep underground beneath the heart of an iconic island.
On the evenings of 20 and 21 April at PER AQUUM Niyama and on 25 and 26 April at PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi, Chef Akira will create a 12-course tasting menu highlighting some of his favourite exotic ingredients and techniques along with never-before-seen preparations of fresh Maldivian seafood. Sheared baby zucchini recreate vibrant emerald scales atop Maldivian white fish. Umami drenches cold water lobsters. Tiny root vegetables grow in a Seoul Garden. Micro shiso and fresh truffles add herbaceous and earthy tones to his signature tuna ‘pizza’.
While visiting the islands, Chef Akira will indulge his adventurous streak as a veteran extreme sportsman by riding the waves and joining in the surprisingly dramatic spectacle of Maldivian pole-and-line fishing. As the ship crests on the waves, fishermen using traditional sustainable methods send tuna soaring through the air. Baited into a feeding frenzy with expert techniques, the surface-dwelling tuna latch onto special barbless hooks and are propelled arcing overhead before sliding off onto the deck in a haul that can bring in several tonnes in a single outing.
No stranger to adrenaline and sportsmanship – nor globetrotting – Akira’s backstory is as fascinating as his innovative plates. Born in Korea, he moved to Aspen as a 15-year-old. Plunged into a strange country where he couldn’t speak the language, he learned English by watching James Bond movies and made friends by skateboarding and snowboarding. He decided that if he couldn’t speak English yet, the best way to make friends was by boarding. Akira found himself a quick learner at snowboarding and was soon excelling at big jumps and challenging stunts. After gathering fame – and a series of injuries – he threw himself into a new passion, studying with top Asian chefs and then opening a collection of restaurants: Yellowtail at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, Kumi at nearby Mandalay Bay, and self-titled Akira Back restaurants in Jakarta, Delhi and Seoul.
Possessing a mountain of awards and honours, he has also graced a number of television shows, including the Food Network’s Iron Chef America where he battled Iron Chef Bobby Flay, NBC’s ‘The Today Show’, Food Network’s ‘The Best Thing I Ever Ate’, Cooking Channel’s ‘United Tastes of America’ and KBS’s ‘Success Mentor’ airing in Korea.
Chef Akira’s private dinners at PER AQUUM Niyama will be held in its treetop Asian avant-garde restaurant, Nest. At PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi, he’ll host his first night at over-water Salt, descending on the second night to the underground wine cave, Vinum. Dinner prices start at USD 220++ per person, depending on the venue.
This ‘Forces of Nature’ special appearance unfolds as part of PULSE, PER AQUUM’s stream of immersive experiences from A-list affairs to intimate celebrations. To reserve the experience or see more of this year’s PULSE line-up, visit peraquum.com/pulse.
Drink
SO/ Maldives unveils Creation Wines five-course pairing evening
														SO/ Maldives will host an exclusive Wine Dinner in collaboration with Creation Wines, led by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, founders of the South African winery. The event will take place at Lazuli Beach Club on 5 November 2025, from 18:30 to 22:00, with a beachfront setting designed for an evening of fine wine, culinary craft and storytelling.
Guests will be served a five-course menu, each course created by the SO/ Maldives culinary team to complement selected vintages from Creation. From the first pour to the final course, the pairings highlight a shared commitment between SO/ Maldives and Creation Wines to creativity, authenticity and the art of living well.
Guided by Carolyn and Glenn Martin, the evening will explore the relationship between food and wine, with insights into their winemaking approach, the vineyard, and their journey from South Africa’s Hemel-en-Aarde Valley to the Maldives.
Creation Wines combines an ancient landscape with a modern estate driven by innovation. Its team draws on the Hemel-en-Aarde terroir to produce wines that aim to be vibrant and expressive, with each bottle telling a story of balance and harmony.
At SO/ Maldives, contemporary design and artistic sensibility provide the backdrop for imaginative experiences. The Creation Wine Dinner reflects this approach, bringing together gastronomy, style and narrative in a single event.
“This dinner is a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship and connection,” said Nyoman Suandari, Director of Culinary at SO/ Maldives. “Each pairing is designed not only to delight the palate but also to evoke emotion—to capture the essence of both land and sea, and of the artistry that unites us.”
Drink
OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI celebrated for wine perfection at global awards
														The luxury Maldivian retreat OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has been recognised among the world’s finest dining destinations at the prestigious World’s Best Wine Lists Awards 2025. The private island resort received dual honours at London’s legendary Savoy Hotel, winning both the ‘Best All-Inclusive Wine List in Asia’ award and the coveted ‘Jury Award’ for its outstanding wine programme.
The World of Fine Wine, a prestigious British publication, website, and app for a global audience of wine enthusiasts, hosts the World’s Best Wine Lists Award. An independent panel of judges consider entries based on criteria like breadth, depth, balance, and originality across 21 categories to celebrate the finest wine lists globally, with winners being recognised by region.
This remarkable achievement places the Maldivian sanctuary alongside the most celebrated restaurants and hotels worldwide, confirming its status as a true destination for wine lovers. The awards come from one of the most respected judging panels in the wine world, featuring Master Sommeliers, Masters of Wine and other leading experts who assessed wine lists from across the globe.
“To be honoured with this global recognition for a second consecutive year is both thrilling and deeply humbling,” shares Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines for Atmosphere Core.
“We believe that a perfect holiday should be paired with a perfect glass of wine; it must not feel like an extra, but a natural part of the journey and always available to guests throughout the entire resort. Seeing our team’s dedication, from curating over 100 labels to integrating them seamlessly into the RESERVE™ Plan, celebrated like this is incredibly rewarding. It confirms a simple truth: that world-class wines belong in every instant of a guest’s stay, from their very first toast to their last sunset sip.”
At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, the art of wine is woven into the very fabric of your stay. The journey begins from the time you settle into your villa, where your personal maxi bar with daily refill offers a curated introduction to the resort’s acclaimed collection. This is the essence of the RESERVE™ Plan, a seamless tapestry of over 100 premium wines, champagnes, and spirits that flows effortlessly from the very moment you reach our shores, for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between.
For those with a passion for discovery, the dedicated CUVEÉ wine library serves as the heart of wine-focused offerings. Here, the expert sommeliers become storytellers, hosting intimate tasting dinners where every exquisite wine is thoughtfully paired with gourmet cuisine, creating memorable chapters in your holiday narrative.
This passion for viniculture extends across THE OZEN COLLECTION. Both OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI and OZEN LIFE MAADHOO bring the vines to the tropics through exclusive events, welcoming renowned vintners like Champagne Guy Charbaut from France and Bodegas Viñátigo from Spain’s Canary Islands for masterclasses and conversations that bring the world’s great wine regions to our shores.
Ultimately, this international recognition affirms something guests have long known, that OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI offers more than stunning vistas and luxurious accommodations. It provides a complete sensory experience where every glass poured reflects the same dedication to excellence that defines this Maldivian paradise – proving that true luxury lies in these perfectly curated moments.
Drink
Constance Moofushi Maldives celebrates fine wine excellence with Creation Wines
														Constance Moofushi Maldives has announced an exceptional wine journey this October, welcoming internationally celebrated winemakers Carolyn Martin and Glenn Martin of South Africa’s acclaimed Creation Wines.
At Constance Hotels & Resorts, gastronomy and wine are at the very heart of the guest experience. Renowned for its award-winning culinary philosophy and meticulously curated wine cellars, the group has established itself as a true pioneer of refined dining in the Indian Ocean. Each experience is designed to celebrate the harmony between exquisite cuisine and world-class wines—a passion brought to life this October at Constance Moofushi through the presence of two remarkable visionaries.
Founded in 2002 on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge of South Africa, Creation Wines has grown into one of the world’s most admired estates. Visionary couple Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin transformed a remote farm into a globally recognized winery, uniting Swiss-trained precision with inspired creativity. Today, their estate is lauded for excellence, sustainability, and immersive guest experiences, earning accolades such as the 2021 Global Winner of the Great Wine Capitals Award for Innovative Wine Tourism.
At Constance Moofushi, the Martins will guide guests through a curated journey of wine and food pairings—an elegant masterclass in storytelling through flavour.
Further affirming its passion for exceptional wine experiences, Constance Moofushi Maldives was recently recognised at the 2025 World’s Best Wine Lists Awards, where its Alizée Restaurant was nominated for and proudly won the “Best All-Inclusive Wine List”.
This accolade highlights Moofushi’s distinctive wine philosophy—an extensive and carefully curated selection of exceptional wines rarely found in all-inclusive resorts, particularly in such a pristine and remote destination.
“This collaboration with Creation Wines offers our guests exclusive tastings and immersive experiences, while also enriching the knowledge of our passionate sommelier team. It is a true reflection of Constance Hotels & Resorts’ spirit—where gastronomy, passion, and timeless moments of indulgence come together in paradise,” said Mevin Ramasamy, General Manager, Constance Moofushi Maldives.
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