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Outrigger Konotta Maldives to host special dining experience with award-winning Chef Eyck Zimmer

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Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort has announced a special culinary week with celebrated chef Eyck Zimmer.

In an announcement, Outrigger Konotta said Zimmer will be guest chef at the resort from October 21 to November 2.

While at the resort, Zimmer will create a special five-course menu on October 24 and 25 at the intimate 16-seat Driftwood Restaurant by the beach, followed by a special Halloween dish on October 31. During these events, wine pairing will be presented by guest sommelier LuAndre Volschenk.

Zimmer will also conduct a cooking class on the beach, with paired wines. Participants of the private cooking class, which will cost USD 150 per person, will receive an Outrigger chef’s apron, a signed menu and a photograph with Zimmer.

“Eyck’s visit is a wonderful opportunity for guests to make the ultimate pairing of world class beach setting and sumptuous cuisine,” John Allanson, General Manager of Outrigger Konotta, was quoted in the announcement, as saying.

“It will be a marvellous occasion for our guests. Eyck looks forward to meeting everyone before, during and after the dinners.”

Zimmer was born in Erfurt, Germany in 1969.

“In those days of the Cold War, Erfurt was part of East Germany. But I was lucky to grow up in a family where good food was always appreciated. Both my grandmother and my father were keen amateur chefs. Their passion for cooking encouraged me at quite an early age to take it up and experiment with their recipes,” he said.

When the Berlin Wall came down, Zimmer was liberated and quickly moved to learn and then perfect his trade in some of the best restaurants in Europe. On arrival in Madeira in 2003, after earning many accolades at the best restaurants in London, Zimmer found inspiration in the Portuguese sun.

“I discovered fusion cuisine. A marriage of Portuguese, Asian, French and North African influences allowed me to experiment with all manner of innovative and intriguing dishes,” he said.

Zimmer is pictured with some dishes he prepared. PHOTO/ OUTRIGGER

Zimmer has wowed diners and culinary judges across his native Germany, Switzerland, UK, Hong Kong and Portugal in a 30-year career that has seen him cook in some of the best restaurants in the world: Claridges, The Dorchester and The Ritz in London; The Palasthotel, Berlin; The Grand Hotel Regina, Grindelwald, Switzerland; and The Choupana Hills in Madeira, Portugal.

He has won accolades such as Portuguese Chef of the Year 2008, British Chef of the Year 2006, Meilleur Ouvrier de Grande Bretagne 2000, and Ordre Du Merite Agricole, to name a few.

An accolade received by Zimmer from former US President Barack Obama. PHOTO/ OUTRIGGER

Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort is accessible via a 55-minute flight from the main Velana International Airport to Kaadedhdhoo Airport followed by a scenic 30-minute journey on a luxurious private speedboat. The resort comprises 29 Beach Pool Villas, 21 Ocean Pool Villas, two Lagoon Pool Villas and a masterful three-bedroom Grand Konotta Villa, offering guests a complete sense of privacy and intimate luxury.

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Savour July: Exceptional dining awaits at Barceló Nasandhura Male

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Located in the vibrant heart of Malé, Barceló Nasandhura is fast becoming a sought-after destination for dining, casual coffee catchups, and laid-back city experiences. This July, guests are invited to indulge in a series of exclusive promotions across the hotel’s distinctive food and beverage outlets, the perfect opportunity to discover what’s on offer.

At Oivaru, the hotel’s signature all-day dining restaurant located on the 3rd Floor, guests can treat themselves to an irresistible Chocolate Dessert Station, available during dinner service from 4th to 7th July only. A decadent addition to the renowned international buffet, it promises to satisfy every sweet tooth. To complement the dining experience, enjoy live music on selected evenings, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxed, flavorful night out.

To mark World Chocolate Day on 7th July, a special Chocolate Indulgence Station will be set up in the Nasandhura Lobby from 4 PM to 8 PM. Featuring free tastings and handcrafted desserts by the hotel’s renowned pastry chef, the experience is open to all guests and walk-ins. Guests can also purchase limited-edition treats while enjoying a beautifully styled chocolate-themed setup designed for sweet moments and social sharing.

Alimas Coffee Lounge is the ideal spot to escape the city heat. From 20th to 26th July, enjoy 10% off all ice creams, making it the perfect excuse to cool down with a sweet treat in style.

For those seeking elevated views and an unforgettable ambience, B.Heaven, the hotel’s rooftop lounge, offers signature mocktails and light bites, best savored with panoramic sunset vistas. On selected evenings, the energy rises with live DJ performances, making it the perfect setting to unwind, socialize, or celebrate under the stars.

This July, Barceló Nasandhura invites you to experience a taste of Malé’s most exciting culinary and social destination.

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Jumeirah Olhahali Island welcomes Shimmers’ Chef Emanuele for exclusive culinary residency this July

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Jumeirah Olhahali Island has announced a culinary residency in collaboration with Chef Emanuele De Leo, Head Chef of the award-winning Shimmers at Jumeirah Mina Al Salam in Dubai. Taking place from 7 to 10 July 2025, this exclusive experience will bring the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean to the Maldives through a specially curated tasting-style menu.

Following a stint as Sous Chef at L’Olivo at Al Mahara, the two Michelin-starred restaurant at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab, Chef Emanuele took up his position as Head Chef at Shimmers in 2023. There, he leads the kitchen, where his menu pays homage to his Sicilian heritage, while embracing bold, contemporary interpretations of classic Mediterranean cuisine. Under his direction, Shimmers has earned recognition from Gault&Millau UAE in 2025, a testament of the restaurant’s elevated dining experience and Chef Emanuele’s distinctive culinary vision. With a strong focus on seasonality, he draws inspiration from the freshest market produce, transforming each ingredient into flavour-driven, elegantly presented creations.

For his residency at Jumeirah Olhahali Island, Chef Emanuele has crafted a bespoke menu that fuses Greek influences with his Sicilian roots, showcasing refined coastal flavours and thoughtfully sourced seasonal ingredients. In true Shimmers fashion, the evening will be presented as a series of small, shareable plates, designed to bring guests together around the table. Highlights include a fresh cauliflower salad, zingy tuna tartare, and grilled octopus with Santorini fava. These are followed by indulgent mains such as slow-braised beef cheek paired with celery purée and red wine jus, alongside orzo with red prawns, lemon, and caviar. The experience concludes, with a duo of desserts: Greek yoghurt ice cream and orange crème brûlée, offering a refreshing and indulgent finale.

The exclusive dinner experience with Chef Emanuele is priced at USD 195 plus taxes per person. For more information or to reserve, visit the Jumeirah Olhahali Island website here.

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Local tastes take centre stage as Hard Rock Cafe’s World Burger Tour arrives in Maldives

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Today, Hard Rock Cafe will kick off its annual World Burger Tour competition in celebration of Hard Rock International Founders’ Day. Hard Rock Cafe chefs from around the world were challenged to develop unique burger creations that showcase elements from their regional cultures and personal taste. These innovative recipes will be available exclusively for guests to try, including the Island Spiced Coconut & Curry Burger at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives, from June 14 through August 5. For example, guests at Hard Rock Cafe Rome can choose the Lasagna Burger with Ragu Bolognese and bechamel, those visiting Atlantic City can try the Jersey Shore Burger that features a house-made blueberry maple aioli and provolone.

Island Spiced Coconut & Curry Burger, developed by Chef Nikhil Gopinathan at Hard Rock Cafe Maldives, is made with two smashed & stacked beef burgers, seasoned and seared medium-well, layered with homemade Curry Mayo, arugula, coconut flakes, cucumber, tomato, provolone cheese, chimichurri cheese sauce, topped with shredded fried potato mixed with homemade Island Curry Powder and is inspired by the vibrant culinary traditions of the Maldives, melding local flavors and spices to create a truly tropical experience.

This year’s competition marks an exciting first for Hard Rock, with the addition of chef, content creator and brand partner Olivia Tiedemann as both a mentor and judge. She has worked closely with participating chefs throughout the competition, sharing her culinary expertise and burger-crafting techniques to help elevate each recipe.

“Working with these talented chefs from around the world has been incredibly fun. Each one brought such passion and creativity to their recipes, and I’m amazed by how they’ve transformed classic burger concepts with their unique local influences and personal stories,” said Olivia Tiedemann.

Based on Tiedemann’s input, sales performance and guests’ votes on social media, the top five burger recipes will be selected and announced later this summer. Then the five finalists will become available at Hard Rock Cafe locations globally for all fans to experience for a limited time before one final winner is selected.

“This is such a fun annual event where our chef gets to flex his creativity, and our guests get to try our new burger inspired by the vibrant culture of the Maldives for a limited time,” said Anna Melissa Olay, Manager – Hard Rock Cafe Maldives.

The first Hard Rock Cafe at Old Park Lane in London opened on June 14, 1971. Launching this competition on Founders’ Day celebrates how the brand has evolved over 54 years into an iconic entertainment, hospitality and lifestyle company with more than 300 Hard Rock Cafes and Rock Shops, Hotels, Resorts and Casinos worldwide.

Visit the cafe at The Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives to participate.

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