Gastronomy
Anantara Veli Resort welcomes Bobby Chinn for a San Pellegrino Fine Dining Lovers event to the Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – Anantara Veli Resort welcomes celebrity TV Chef Bobby Chinn for a special guest appearance at 73 Degrees restaurant for one night only, 11 May 2016. In association with Fine Dining Lovers, the event is a continuation of an exclusive series at Anantara resorts across the Maldives, featuring culinary collaborations with San Pellegrino’s Fine Dining Lovers and award-winning chefs from the 50 Best restaurant series and beyond.
Bobby Chinn from House of Ho restaurant in London will appear for one night at Anantara Veli as a Guest Chef, followed by two events combining fishing trips and dining around the table with Bobby. Likeminded food lovers will gather in the serene ambiance of the luxury adults-only resort for an evening of exotic flavours and shared conversation on May 11. The following two days, guests can join Bobby on fishing trips and celebrate the catch with Anantara’s signature Dine By Design experience on the beach front, hosted by Bobby at the table.
Internationally renowned television presenter, chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Bobby Chinn has lived in Vietnam since 1996. Half Egyptian and half Chinese, he established his restaurant Bobby Chinn in Hanoi and his profile quickly rose on the culinary scene. Over his career, he has cooked for a number of personalities, including Bill Clinton in 2011 and Bob Dylan on his Asian Tour. In 2013, Bobby moved to London to open his new restaurant, the House of Ho. In his book on Vietnamese Food, Chef Anthony Bourdain described him as “an international man of mystery” and “what Bobby doesn’t know about Southeast Asian food isn’t worth knowing”.
At Anantara Veli Resort, where part of the focus is on achieving a healthy balanced lifestyle, Chef Bobby will indulge guests with the wonders of his dishes that bring a mix of global ingredients and sustainable choices to a fine dining level. “The team at Anantara Veli is tremendously excited to welcome Bobby Chin to the resort and we are particularly excited that he will be working with our resident Ayurveda doctor from our Sundari Ayurvdic Spa. Together they will create a brand new addition to the Anantara Spice Spoons Cooking Class series, focusing purely on Ayurveda cuisine. This collaboration takes healthy eating to a whole different level and fits our luxury offering, with some items being incorporated to our daily culinary choices.” says Anantara Veli General Manager Coetzer Deysel.

Among the signature dishes showcasing just why Bobby Chinn is a master of combining flavours into new dishes, the six-course menu served on May 11 will include Oyster brûlée, sake sabayon, Foie Gras wrapped Fig Port Jus, Sake steamed lobster risotto, Seared Scallops braised with edamame truffle pea jus and a Rack of Lamb with Asian Ratatouille. Additionally, a menu of the finest spirits and wines will be selected by Anantara’s Wine Guru and Executive Chef Walter Butti to complement the exclusive Fine Dining Lovers event.
“As part of our ongoing partnership with Anantara, collaborating with the skilled and entertaining chef Bobby Chinn on healthy cuisine, fine dining and bringing him to the luxury resort surroundings of Anantara is a perfect match for S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. It will be a unique Fine Dining Lovers event in the Maldives that really highlights how healthy cuisine can be indulgent too”, says Filippo Cassabgi, Area Manager for San Pellegrino.
Available to guests at Anantara Veli Resort, Anantara Dhigu Resort and Nalahdu Maldives, as well as those staying at other resorts near South Male Atoll, this month’s one-of-a-kind offering priced at USD 165++ per person for the dinner on May 11, including wine pairing, can be booked by calling Anantara Reservations directly at +960 66 44 1111.
Cooking
Women at heart of kitchen: Milaidhoo Maldives marks International Women’s Day through gastronomy
At Milaidhoo Maldives, International Women’s Day is observed as more than a calendar occasion; it is recognised as a meaningful celebration of the women whose talent and dedication shape the character of the resort’s intimate island experience.
This year, Milaidhoo highlights not only the women across its wider team, but also the five female chefs who play an integral role within its kitchen brigade. Culinary artistry remains central to the Milaidhoo experience, reflecting both heritage and creativity. Across the resort’s collection of dining venues, from island-inspired fine dining to relaxed beachfront cuisine, food is presented as a narrative of place and people. Menus are conceived as inspiration rather than prescription, with chefs tailoring each dish and dining moment to the individual tastes and curiosities of guests.
On 8 March from 19.00, the resort’s female culinary team will take over the open kitchen at Shoreline Grill, hosting a specially curated International Women’s Day dinner. Designed and executed by five chefs, the evening brings together flavours drawn from their individual traditions and culinary perspectives. More than a dining event, the experience is intended as a moment of connection and shared celebration, reflecting the intimate gastronomic gatherings for which Milaidhoo is known.
International Women’s Day Menu (Available at Shoreline Grill – Sunday 8 March from 19.00):
- Sate Lilit: Balinese seafood satay, gently spiced and grilled over charcoal, served with warm peanut sauce – Chef Bintang, Indonesia
- Pumpkin & Coconut Velouté: Roasted pumpkin soup with toasted pumpkin seeds, curry leaf oil and crisp garlic croutons – Chef Saaha, Maldives
- Curry-Poached Maldivian Coral Lobster: Locally sourced lobster with drumstick mashuni and coconut–passionfruit dressing – Chef Michelle, Maldives
- Thai A5 Wagyu Striploin: A5 Wagyu with confit lotus root, green papaya salad and Thai coconut red curry reduction – Chef Prew, Thailand
- Baobab & Chocolate Harmony: Baobab mousse, dark chocolate crémeux, peanut crumble, caramelised pineapple and mango gel – Chef Yemuria, Zimbabwe
Each dish reflects a personal culinary story, drawing inspiration from the charcoal grills of Indonesia and the spice markets of Thailand to the flavours of Zimbabwe and the rich culinary heritage of the Maldives. Together, the menu celebrates diversity and the shared pleasure of dining.
At Milaidhoo, meaningful luxury is defined through connection to place, tradition and people. This International Women’s Day, guests are invited to mark the occasion through an evening of exceptional gastronomy that honours the women at the heart of the Milaidhoo experience.
For reservations or further details on Milaidhoo’s culinary offerings, guests may visit the resort’s Culinary Experiences page or contact the reservations team at welcome@milaidhoo.com.
Drink
SO/ Maldives hosts tequila tasting and Lazuli Bar takeover for National Margarita Day
On 22nd February, in celebration of National Margarita Day, SO/ Maldives turns up the island energy with an exclusive Tequila Tasting, Margarita Experience and beachfront Bar Takeover reaffirming its position as the Maldives’ most modern lifestyle luxury brand. Vibrant, design-led and socially vibrant, SO/ Maldives transforms the occasion into more than a cocktail celebration it becomes a full-sensory journey set against turquoise waters and powder-soft white sands.
A Curated Tequila Journey with Adonai Reyna
Leading the experience is Adonai Reyna, MMI Spirits Ambassador and one of the region’s most decorated mixology talents. With 16 years of experience across Dubai’s most renowned venues and accolades including Winner Havana Club México, Top 25 World Class UAE, Silver Trophy CME UAE and Winner Crystal Head Vodka Mexico, Reyna brings world-class craftsmanship to the shores of the Maldives.
Guests will join him for an immersive tequila tasting experience that delves into the heritage of Mexico’s iconic agave spirit. From understanding the terroir and production secrets to discovering the nuanced flavour profiles of blanco, reposado and aged expressions, the tasting goes beyond the glass. It is a refined exploration of culture, craft and complexity a sensorial journey designed for modern luxury travellers.
The Lazuli Bar Takeover: Where Sunset Meets Spirit
As golden hour approaches, the celebration shifts to the iconic coloured pool bar at Lazuli Beach Club the social heart of the island. Framed by white sand beaches and endless ocean views, Lazuli delivers effortless barefoot sunset vibes with a Riviera-inspired twist.
Under glowing Maldivian skies, Adonai Reyna takes over the bar with a bespoke Margarita menu crafted using premium tequilas, fresh tropical ingredients and innovative mixology techniques. Each cocktail is a statement balancing authenticity with contemporary flair, perfectly aligned with SO/ Maldives’ fashion-forward aesthetic.
The coloured pool bar becomes the centre of attention, drawing guests together in a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere where music flows, cocktails sparkle and the shoreline becomes the ultimate dancefloor.
At SO/ Maldives, experiences are designed to blend global culture with island glamour. The National Margarita Day takeover is a natural extension of the brand’s identity vibrant, creative and unapologetically stylish.
Whether guests are tequila connoisseurs, sunset seekers or social explorers, 22nd February promises an unforgettable celebration where Mexican heritage meets Maldivian rhythm.
For more information or to book your perfect getaway, please visit so-maldives.com or contact so.maldives.reservations@so-hotels.com.
Drink
Provence comes to Maldives with Château Minuty dinner at Milaidhoo Maldives
Milaidhoo Maldives is hosting a wine pairing dinner celebrating Provençal elegance and gastronomy on 4 March 2026 at the resort’s Shoreline Grill. The evening will feature wines from Château Minuty and will be hosted by Sébastien Nore, Global Strategy and Export Director of Château Minuty, offering guests insight into the winery’s heritage and approach to fine winemaking.
Originally from Limousin, France, Nore brings extensive experience in the international beverage industry. His career includes roles with Kronenbourg Wineries and PepsiCo France, followed by senior leadership positions at Diageo and Baron Philippe de Rothschild. He has played a key role in expanding Château Minuty’s global presence and currently oversees the winery’s strategy, sales, communication and marketing, with a focus on innovation and the refined character of Provençal rosé.
During the dinner, guests will enjoy a curated selection of Château Minuty wines, paired with a bespoke menu created by the Shoreline Grill culinary team. The featured wines include:
- Château Minuty M de Minuty Rosé Magnum 1.5L – Artist Edition 2024
- Château Minuty Prestige Rosé 2024
- Château Minuty Rosé et Or 2024
- Château Minuty 281 2024
Beyond this event, the dinner reflects Milaidhoo Maldives’ wider commitment to gastronomy. The resort’s Gourmet Plan is designed for guests with a strong interest in food and wine, offering personalised, multi-course dining experiences throughout their stay. Each menu is crafted to highlight the relationship between carefully selected ingredients and complementary wines, with an emphasis on authenticity and balance.
The Château Minuty dinner marks the fourth wine-focused event hosted by Milaidhoo Maldives this year, underscoring the resort’s ongoing focus on curated culinary experiences. The evening is positioned as a sensory journey, combining refined flavours, thoughtful pairings and a convivial island setting.
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