Renowned chef and winner of Iron Chef Thailand Kevin Fawkes has joined Soneva as Area Culinary Director for the group’s world-leading, exclusive private-island resorts in Maldives.

Kevin, who hails from the UK, leads operations at the numerous trailblazing dining venues at both Soneva Fushi and its newly opened sister property Soneva Jani.

Having previously held the role of Executive Chef at Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood, Kevin brings with him extensive experience from Michelin-starred restaurants and five-star luxury hotels. He has held senior food and beverage positions at numerous high-end properties elsewhere across Thailand and in Cyprus, Doha, London, France, Copenhagen and Riyadh. In the UK, he has worked at prestigious establishments including The Savoy Hotel London, Sir Terence Conran’s restaurant empire in London including Bluebird Restaurant, Albert Roux’s Le Gavroche and Noma Copenhagen, which was voted world’s best restaurant four times.

Kevin was also the winner of culinary challenge TV show Iron Chef Thailand in 2013 and 2015, becoming the first British chef to conquer the gruelling contest.

On joining the Soneva group of resorts, he says: “The kitchen has been my home and sanctuary for almost my entire life thus far. I never tire of my greatest passions; the love of food, cooking it, and of course eating it! I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring my enthusiasm for new cuisines and culinary perfection to Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.”

Established in 1995, Soneva Fushi is the original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways is located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 57 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden amongst dense foliage.

Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property, which opened in late 2016. Soneva Jani encompasses a collection of 24 overwater villas and one island villa set in a 5.6 kilometre private lagoon located in the northern Noonu Atoll. The resort spans five islands surrounded by pure white beaches, covered in rich tropical vegetation, offering the ultimate in privacy and luxury.