Cooking
Soneva Jani unveils new dining concept, Guess Who’s Cooking?
Soneva has unveiled Soneva Jani’s newest dining experience: Guess Who’s Cooking.
This dining experience has a secret menu concept, where the diners won’t know which chef is cooking or what cuisine they will be enjoying until just before the meal. The kitchen is housed within the walls of a Bedouin tent, and whilst there is room for dining inside the tent in case of rain, the main experience is on the beach.
The chefs who will be featured include Soneva Jani’s specialty chefs, visiting chefs from Soneva Fushi and Soneva Kiri, as well as international visiting chefs.
A rough idea of the menu will be revealed on the day of the experience, but only once diners are seated at the tables on the sand will the chef emerge from the cooking tent to present the menu in all of its glory – outlining the concept, ingredients and their inspiration for the dishes.
Soneva Jani hopes that this ever-changing roster of chefs will highlight the culinary prowess of Soneva’s chefs and those visiting the resort. The lack of a menu paves the way for innovative and exciting dining, if a guest chooses Guess Who’s Cooking twice during their stay, they should be able to enjoy two distinct experiences.
Examples of the line-up of Soneva’s chefs include: Chef Kat (Thai cuisine), Chef Sun (Asian cuisine), and Chef Ansari (Indian thali) – all from Soneva Jani, as well as Chef Sobah (Maldivian cuisine) from Soneva Fushi and Chef Benz (Thai cuisine) from Soneva Kiri.
The price per person is dependent on the particular menu of the day, starting at USD 175++ for Soneva’s chefs and USD 350++ for a degustation menu by a visiting international chef.
Guess Who’s Cooking is only available two to three nights a week, seating just 16 diners. Dinner is from 7.30-10pm, a sunset cocktail experience is available from 6.30-7.30pm. There will also be the occasional lunch pop-up from 12.30-3pm.
Guests with dietary restrictions, food allergies, or those who prefer not to eat certain food items should let their Mr./Ms. Friday know when booking secret/no menu dining experiences well in advance. This will ensure that the chef knows what or what not to cook.
Opened in December 2016, Soneva Jani is Soneva’s newest property and the world-leading luxury hotel group’s second resort in the Maldives.
Soneva Jani is located on the island of Medhufaru within a 5.6 kilometre lagoon in the Noonu atoll, and has uninterrupted ocean views in all directions. The lagoon is 35 minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport and one hour by speedboat from Soneva Fushi.
Meaning ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Soneva Jani currently comprises 24 overwater villas and one island villa, with additional villas to be built in phase two. Five islands encircle the lagoon, each one with soft white sands and covered in rich tropical vegetation. Four of the five islands will remain untouched, making Soneva Jani the lowest density development in the Maldives. The overwater villas are spaced across the expansive lagoon, offering privacy and extensive views over the Maldives’ turquoise waters. The island villas will be tucked into the lush greenery, providing the ultimate privacy, and all within steps of the beach.
Soneva Jani’s main guest facilities are located at The Gathering, the heart of the overwater villas. This dramatic three story structure is home to the main dining outlets, in addition to the Soneva Spa, library, retail area and wine cellar. It is located next to the Maldives’ first overwater Observatory.
Facilities on the island include the overwater Cinema Paradiso, the Eco Centro Waste-to-Wealth centre, organic gardens, tennis courts, water sports champa and Zuhair’s Beach on a desert island in the lagoon.
Cooking
Michelin-Starred Chef Kazuo Harada Brings Culinary Fusion to Patina Maldives
Get ready for a taste sensation! Patina Maldives welcomes Michelin-starred Chef Kazuo Harada for an exclusive residency at KŌEN restaurant from March 12th to 16th, 2024.
Chef Harada is renowned for his innovative fusion cuisine, blending Japanese tradition with his Brazilian heritage. Guests can embark on a unique culinary journey as Chef Harada curates a series of exclusive omakase dinners. Omakase translates to “entrust” in Japanese, and these dinners will showcase the chef’s mastery, with each meticulously prepared dish a harmonious blend of Japanese flavors and Brazilian flair.
Drawing inspiration from his exploration of local Maldivian ingredients, Chef Harada promises a menu unlike any other, offering a truly unique dining experience.
Born to a Japanese father and Brazilian mother, Chef Harada’s passion for food stems from his grandfather, who owned a successful oriental restaurant in São Paulo’s Liberdade district. His culinary journey began at the prestigious Grand Hyatt in São Paulo and continued with enriching experiences in Japan and Dubai. Recently honored as Chef of the Year 2023/2024 by Veja Comer & Beber, Chef Harada is a true culinary luminary.
Chef Harada joins a prestigious group of culinary stars hosted by Patina Maldives, including Michelin-starred Chef Bo Bech. Chef Bech delighted guests in January and will return in September to showcase the Nordic culinary movement at KŌEN. These renowned chefs represent culinary excellence, offering guests an unforgettable dining experience that transcends borders and celebrates the artistry of global cuisine.
Cooking
Joy Island hosts first Gourmet Week with Chef Roberto Valbuzzi
Joy Island has successfully hosted its first Gourmet Week appointment with the young and talented Chef Roberto Valbuzzi from 30 September to 9 October 2023.
The well-known Italian television personality Chef Valbuzzi strives to combine contemporary cooking techniques with family-passed culinary traditions to produce culinary masterpieces in the Lake Maggiore region. As a result, he was given the title of Territory Ambassador on the Gambero Rosso 2023/2024 Lombardy guide.
Arrival of Chef Valbuzzi has delighted the guests of Joy Island with a culinary experience that was inspired by Crotto Valtellina, creating menu items that resonates with his artistic persona. Ranging from typical Italian “Sciatt” to dishes that mix tradition and innovation, the aim is above all to enhance Italian food and wine heritage, well represented in Joy Island which even boasts a dairy in the resort.
The Cocoon Collection gastronomic weeks events always pledge an unforgettable culinary experience, loyal to Italian tradition and philosophy but full of creative ideas.
Cooking
Kandolhu Maldives announces extraordinary collaboration with renowned Chef Yoni Saada
Celebrated for his expertise in Contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, Chef Yoni Saada will be gracing the island from 13th -18th November 2023. During his stay, he will be showcasing a series of exclusive culinary events at Olive, one the five enticing restaurants on offer on the island, for our guests on the island.
Yoni Saada, the son, and grandson of esteemed Marais butchers, ventured into the culinary world early on at 19, he started by pursuing studies of cuisine and bakery at Ferrandi in Paris. In 2006, at 25, he opened his very first restaurant “Osmose”, and became renowned after participating in the TV show Top Chef show in 2013. The same year, he opened “Miniatures”, a semi-gourmet restaurant of French tapas. In 2014, his new project “Bagnard” was selected Project of the Year by the Gault & Millau guide. Yoni Saada also received the 2014 Young Talent prize.
This extraordinary collaboration with Chef Yoni Saada continues with the resort’s dedication to creating unforgettable moments for our guests, assuring a culinary experience that stands unparalelled. Moreover, a handpicked array of Chef Yoni Saada’s exceptional creations will become a beloved addition to the Olive menu, extending the opportunity for future guests to relish and savour his culinary mastery long after the exclusive event has concluded.
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