Gastronomy
Culinary journey to M6m underwater restaurant at OZEN by Atmosphere

Maldives.net.mv – OZEN by Atmosphere at Maadhoo opened its shores to the world on 15th July 2016 and it brought M6m, Malé Atoll’s first underwater restaurant. A contemporary gourmet restaurant that delivers a fine but refreshingly informal dining experience, M6m is successfully building a strong reputation for its service and cuisine.
Located six meters below the surface, M6m stands for Minus Six Meters and it offers simplicity of flavor and playful presentation. In the kitchen, M6m’s very own Master Chef Mr. Chaitanya Sharma and his extraordinary culinary team prides on only using the freshest seafood delivered direct to the resort by the local fishermen and finest imported ingredients, which are sourced from premium suppliers around the world, to create their masterpieces.
Originally from Rajasthan in India renowned for its royal kitchens, Chaitanya has wanted to be a chef from young age. He started his culinary journey at The Oberoi in Udaipur, soon taking on the role of chef de partie at the same hotel before moving to Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai where climbed to the position of Chef de Cuisine before moving to Maldives to lead the opening team of M6m at Maadhoo as the Executive Sous Chef.
“We want to share our rich flavours, good service and excellent wines with our guests while they enjoy the view of the colorful underwater world” said Chef Chaitanya. “I always try to meet the guests and get their feedback. This gives me the opportunity to improve and cater to their taste”.
Chef Chaitanya’s way of preparing seafood is simple and flavorful, ensuring that the taste shines through. Guests can choose the type of menu they prefer, select their favorite choices, and tell the chef the way they would like it to be cooked.
He said that while the restaurant does not use complicated cooking techniques, its dishes are still flavorful because they contrast ingredients with different tastes to create food that is unique, delicious and bursting with flavor.
Chef Chaitanya’s menus are complimented with exclusive Tattinger Brut champagne to complete an extra ordinary culinary rendezvous. The wine service is another key aspect of OZEN experience with an exotic wine collection of over 80 labels of wines from renowned vineyards of the old and new world with each bottle selected to match certain dish and celebration.
Chaitanya’s life revolves around food and beverage, which simultaneously makes him happy and satisfied while entertaining the guests with his culinary skills.
Guests can expect to experience Chef Chaitanya’s passion for food through his sumptuous specialty dishes at M6m, located 6 meters below the surface surrounded by the marvelous underwater world.
Cooking
W Maldives welcomes acclaimed ‘Dessert King’ Reynold Poernomo for Flavours Unscripted culinary takeover

W Maldives is turning up the flavor dial this August with a high-profile culinary collaboration that is equal parts bold, artful, and wildly indulgent. As part of the resort’s Dare To Taste programming under the Flavors Unscripted series, W Maldives will welcome acclaimed chef and culinary creative Reynold Poernomo for a two-part takeover on August 10 and 12, 2025. This exclusive collaboration is set to redefine island dining—one plate at a time.
Born in Indonesia and raised in Sydney, Chef Reynold is no stranger to pushing culinary boundaries. A self-taught prodigy who rose to fame as a finalist on MasterChef Australia, he quickly became known as the nation’s “Dessert King” for his intricate, art-driven creations. In 2016, he co-founded KOI Dessert Bar with his family, which has since become one of Sydney’s most iconic culinary destinations with a cult following. The brand expanded in 2017 with KOI Dessert Kitchen, a production space that also hosts exclusive masterclasses and guest chef collaborations. Reynold’s approach to food is anything but ordinary—his plates are immersive, imaginative, and unapologetically bold. This August, he brings that same creative fire to W Maldives.
The main event unfolds on August 12, when guests will have the rare opportunity to experience Chef Reynold’s culinary artistry firsthand at FISH, the resort’s signature overwater venue renowned for its sustainable ocean-to-table fine dining. For one night only, Chef Reynold will present a specially curated three-course dinner inspired by island ingredients, global technique, and his unmistakable visual flair. Guests can expect bold plating, layered flavors, and a few unexpected turns—this is Reynold unleashed, Maldives-style.
As part of this exclusive collaboration, W Maldives presents Marriott Bonvoy Moments–a once-in-a-lifetime experience for members to bid on a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold, paired with a luxurious four-night villa stay in a Premier Overwater One-Bedroom Villa from August 9 to 13, 2025. The package includes roundtrip shared seaplane transfers from Velana International Airport, daily breakfast, and a one-time signature treatment at AWAY Spa for the bid winner and their guest.
The highlight of the stay begins on August 10, with an intimate starlit dinner on Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ private castaway island, where Chef Reynold will personally host and curate a bespoke tasting menu. On August 12, the duo will receive front-row seats to his culinary showcase at FISH. With only one package available, anticipation is high and competition will be fierce.
To mark the collaboration, Chef Reynold will also unveil an exclusive signature dessert, created just for W Maldives and available on the menu for six months following his visit. Daring, decadent, and destined to be the most photographed dish on the island, it is a lasting tribute to this unforgettable partnership.
“There’s something electric about the Maldives—its textures, its moods, its light,” said Chef Reynold Poernomo. “This menu is my response to that. A dreamscape of flavor brought to life through technique, imagination, and a little island heat.”
Amila Handunwala, General Manager of W Maldives, added, “At W Maldives, we’re all about pushing boundaries—on the plate, behind the bar, and in the guest experience. Reynold brings a daring, creative energy that aligns perfectly with our vision. This isn’t just a dinner; it’s a story told in flavor.”
This collaboration is part of Flavors Unscripted, W Maldives’ platform for culinary expression where global tastemakers meet untamed island creativity and nothing is ever scripted. It is food without rules. Flavor without borders.
Tucked away in the heart of the North Ari Atoll and a 25-minute scenic seaplane journey from Velana International Airport, W Maldives is a bold luxury escape featuring 77 private villas—each with a plunge pool and unobstructed access to the Indian Ocean. Following a recent design refresh, the resort seamlessly blends contemporary luxury with the island’s raw natural beauty.
Members can now bid for a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold Poernomo and a four-night stay at W Maldives until July 21, 2025 through Marriott Bonvoy Moments.
Guests looking to stir things up in paradise can book the Stay, Dine, and Fly package, which includes daily breakfast, a three-course dinner, and roundtrip seaplane transfers. For more information, visit www.wmaldives.com or contact reservations.wmaldives@whotels.com.
Featured
Barceló Nasandhura celebrates World Chocolate Day with sweet surprises in Malé

This July, Barceló Nasandhura is offering guests a taste of the sweeter side of life through a series of limited-time dessert experiences in the heart of Malé.
In celebration of World Chocolate Day, the hotel hosted a Chocolate Indulgence Station in the Nasandhura Lobby on 7th July. Held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the event featured handcrafted chocolate desserts and tastings led by Head Pastry Chef Mohammed, a certified Continental Judge in Pastry Arts. The occasion attracted a delightful mix of in-house guests and walk-in visitors, who also enjoyed a specially curated photo setup and the opportunity to purchase exclusive, limited-edition treats.
Additionally, from 4th to 7th July, a dedicated Chocolate Dessert Station was presented at the Oivaru dinner buffet, located on the hotel’s third floor, offering a decadent addition to the evening dining experience.
To conclude the month’s celebrations, guests will be able to enjoy a 10% discount on all ice creams at Alimas Coffee Lounge from 20th to 26th July. Featuring house-made flavours, this offering provides the ideal way to cool off and indulge during the warm island afternoons.
Cooking
From garden to gourmet: Dusit Thani Maldives celebrates local, responsible cuisine

Widely recognised as a premier luxury resort in the Maldives, Dusit Thani Maldives is redefining the concept of sustainable dining. Central to the resort’s culinary ethos is a strong commitment to sourcing ingredients locally and responsibly, crafting exceptional, globally inspired dishes that reflect the natural abundance of the Maldivian archipelago.
Located just a short stroll from the resort’s kitchens, the organic Chef’s Garden thrives with fragrant herbs, edible flowers, vegetables, and fruits. Ingredients such as lemongrass, basil, papaya, and chillies are carefully hand-harvested at peak ripeness, ensuring that vibrant flavour and freshness are brought directly to the plate.
All fish featured on the resort’s menus is sustainably sourced from within the Maldives, provided by local fishermen who utilise traditional, low-impact fishing techniques. Wherever possible, produce is also procured from Maldivian farmers—an approach that supports island communities, reduces carbon emissions, and celebrates the rich biodiversity of the atolls.
“Our approach is rooted in a respect for the land and sea,” explains Executive Chef Olivier Portret. “Every dish reflects the story of the Maldives—not just its flavours, but its culture and its people. We want guests to experience something truly meaningful with every bite.”
Guests can enjoy these thoughtfully sourced ingredients across a variety of dining experiences, from fine Thai cuisine at Benjarong, to freshly grilled seafood served al fresco at Sea Grill, or even through interactive cooking classes led by the resort’s culinary team.
Through this garden-to-table philosophy, Dusit Thani Maldives offers more than exceptional cuisine—it fosters a deeper connection to place, purpose, and the planet. This commitment not only sets the resort apart as one of the finest in the Maldives, but also as a destination where sustainability and luxury exist in perfect harmony.
-
Action1 week ago
Netflix’s ‘All the Sharks’ puts global spotlight on tiger shark paradise in Maldives’ Fuvahmulah
-
News1 week ago
Niyama Private Islands Maldives unveils transformed resort
-
News1 week ago
RAAYA by Atmosphere: Celebrating a year of castaway adventures
-
Cooking1 week ago
Savour July: Exceptional dining awaits at Barceló Nasandhura Male
-
News1 week ago
SIX & SIX PRIVATE ISLANDS appoints Edyta Peszko as Commercial Director
-
Culture6 days ago
Milaidhoo Maldives invites guests to discover real island living in Kihadhoo
-
Featured1 week ago
Villa Park named leading family resort in Maldives by Travel + Leisure
-
News1 week ago
Coconut Bliss Indulgence: July exclusive at Wellness by Mandara, Barceló Nasandhura Male