Connect with us

Featured

Hideaway Beach Resort appoints Carlo Di Nunzio as Executive Chef

Published

on

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa is very excited to welcome Chef Carlo Di Nunzio to the position of Executive Chef at the five-star luxury resort.

Originally from Torino, Italy, Chef Carlo is bringing with him an accomplished and impressive skillset and over 32 years of food experience, expertise, and management.

His passion for food is fuelled by the long-held belief that cooking is the only job in the world that brings out positive emotion in others.

Actually, this is the reason he initially started to pursue a career in the kitchen: The joy and emotion in the faces of those who experience his culinary adventures and react to well-made dishes drives him as a chef. Preparing good food makes people happy — it is as simple as that.

Though initially inspired by the Italian palate, Chef Carlo moved across the world in his mission to make people happy through food. He has honed new skills and gathered a diverse clientele in Switzerland, France, Romania, Egypt, England, and Portugal before ending up here in the paradisiacal islands of the Maldives.

During his time overseas, the chef worked in international hotel chains and Michelin Star restaurants with the goal of bettering himself and furthering his mantra to bring joy to even the pickiest and hard-to-please customers.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do — and that is exactly what Chef Carlo practices during his time in the Maldives. To do this, he never ceases to stop learning and prefers to hear from local chefs about the way of the craft. In turn, he imparts his own knowledge for a sharing of culinary information to take place, and as a team they create some wonderful dishes for the guests.

Chef Carlo has a firm belief that there are many similarities between Italian and Maldivian cuisine, which seem to intersect most in seafood-focused meals. This is no surprise when considering the abundance of fresh catch from the Maldivian seas and variety of local materials used in the cooking process.

He prefers for people to know what they are getting, prepare it with the freshest ingredients possible, and then watch as they leave fuller and happier than they arrived.

Not only is this mantra better for the environment, but it is also better for our nutrition. By preparing food from the freshest ingredients, Chef hopes that guests at Hideaway truly experience how remarkable food can taste.

Chef Carlo has already started sharing creations at Hideaway with countless recipes in the works together with the culinary team.

As the resort’s new Executive Chef, he says that he is looking to wow and impress the resort’s guests with his many culinary delights and bring dining at Hideaway to the next level.

“We are also pleased to announce that Chef Carlo is developing a range of fish-based dishes in many ways that will be added to our menus- both in an international twist and even having some Maldivian Elements in the cooking as well,” commented the resort.

“Make sure you taste some of Chef Carlo’s dishes during your next visit to the Maldives at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa- especially at our upcoming Fish Market Concept: Eat Fish Fresh and Have it your way!”

As a local owner-operated company located in the northern-most point of the Maldives, and as one of the only resorts with a marina, Hideaway is as unique as it is luxurious.

The curiously shaped island (a crescent shape) is located in an environment where it is very conducive to fishing and farming, which allows the resort to source fresh produce (from its own gardens and farm on the island and affiliated farm islands nearby) to create the best dishes.

Hideaway plans to collaborate with Chef Carlo to create some great culinary experiences, bringing guests on a journey from Farm (and Ocean) to Table. This way they can have scrumptious cuisine, prepared using the freshest produce, to achieve Chef Carlo’s goal – spreading joy and happiness in the world through good food.

Featured

Angsana Velavaru plans Easter weekend of activities and dining

Published

on

Angsana Velavaru is inviting guests to celebrate Easter with a two-day island programme featuring family activities, ocean experiences and seasonal dining from 4 to 5 April 2026.

Located within a lagoon in South Nilandhe Atoll, the resort will host a series of activities designed for families, couples and travellers seeking a seasonal getaway by the sea. The programme includes a combination of wellness sessions, marine experiences and leisure activities intended to bring guests together during the Easter holiday period.

Mornings begin with yoga sessions overlooking the lagoon, followed by opportunities to explore the island’s marine environment through guided snorkelling excursions and discovery experiences organised by the Endheri Marine Centre.

Throughout the day, guests can take part in a range of recreational activities across the island. These include beach kite flying, aqua aerobics sessions and bird feeding at the island’s sanctuary. Adventure-focused experiences are also available, with water sports such as family tube rides and sunset cruises offering guests the opportunity to explore the surrounding lagoon.

Dining experiences form a central part of the Easter programme. Guests can participate in interactive activities including cocktail-making sessions and the Wok & Toss dining experience, which allows visitors to engage with the resort’s culinary team. The programme also includes Easter buffet lunch and dinner at Kaani Restaurant, where seasonal dishes are served in a relaxed island setting.

Evening entertainment includes live music performances, DJ sessions and outdoor film screenings under the stars, creating a relaxed atmosphere for guests to gather and socialise.

Children’s activities are organised through the Ranger’s Club, where a dedicated Easter programme features creative workshops such as bunny mask making, Easter egg painting and string art. Traditional activities including Easter egg hunts and beach races are also planned for younger guests.

The Easter programme at Angsana Velavaru combines marine exploration, family-friendly activities and seasonal dining experiences, offering guests an opportunity to celebrate the holiday while enjoying the island’s natural surroundings.

Continue Reading

Cooking

Patina Maldives hosts Chef Shannon Bennett for exclusive April residency

Published

on

From 1 to 5 April 2026, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will host Shannon Bennett, one of Australia’s most recognised culinary figures and the creative force behind Belongil. The residency brings together a chef known for shaping dining as an emotional and reflective experience with a destination defined by perspective, creativity and purpose.

Bennett’s career extends beyond traditional notions of cooking. Through projects such as Vue de Monde and Belongil, he has explored dining as a medium for memory, connection and emotion, placing emphasis on experience rather than consumption. His approach centres on creating moments that remain with guests long after the meal has ended.

At Patina Maldives, the residency represents a convergence of shared values. Over five nights, guests are invited to take part in a limited series of dining experiences shaped by intention, curiosity and a sense of place. Rather than recreating Belongil in another setting, the programme evolves its philosophy, drawing inspiration from the natural rhythm and clarity of the Maldivian environment.

Commenting on the collaboration, Bennett said Belongil was conceived as more than a place to eat, but as a space for ideas, connection and lasting moments. He noted that Patina Maldives reflects a similar sense of purpose, adding that bringing his work into the island setting offered an opportunity to create experiences that feel grounded, honest and meaningful.

Patina Maldives continues to develop its identity by providing a platform for global creative voices to shape new conversations and perspectives. The residency with Bennett aligns with this approach, positioning cuisine as one element within a broader cultural and experiential narrative.

Tom Bray, Director of Lifestyle at Patina Maldives, said the resort exists to bring people closer to ideas, creativity and self-discovery. He added that welcoming Bennett reflects this philosophy, describing the residency as an experience designed to shift perspective rather than focus solely on gastronomy.

The residency is presented as an experience defined by intention rather than spectacle. Taking place over five nights on a single island, it brings together Patina Maldives and one of the culinary world’s most reflective minds for a programme shaped by presence, purpose and a sense of moment that cannot be replicated in the same way again.

Continue Reading

Featured

You & Me Maldives unveils curated Premium All Inclusive programme

Published

on

You & Me Maldives, the adults-only luxury retreat under The Cocoon Collection, has announced the launch of its new Premium All Inclusive experience, aimed at enhancing island stays through a more seamless and comprehensive offering in the Indian Ocean.

The Premium All Inclusive experience is designed to begin from the point of arrival. Guests receive complimentary access to The Cocoon Collection Lounge at the seaplane terminal at Velana International Airport, where services are provided to ensure a smooth transition before the journey to the resort.

On arrival at the island, guests are welcomed in their villas with a chilled bottle of sparkling wine and a selection of canapés. The Premium All Inclusive plan includes unlimited premium beverages by the glass, featuring a curated range of wines, signature cocktails, top-shelf spirits, international beers and non-alcoholic options. The in-villa minibar is replenished daily with soft drinks, international beers, red and white wines, as well as assorted snacks. For stays of five nights or more, guests also receive two bottles of premium liquor from a selected list, provided once during the stay.

The experience further includes a range of activities. Guests staying a minimum of three nights are offered one sunset cruise and one snorkelling excursion per stay, while those staying seven nights or more are entitled to a catamaran cruise. Unlimited use of snorkelling equipment and non-motorised water sports, including canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding, is also included, subject to weather conditions.

Dining forms a central part of the Premium All Inclusive concept. Guests can enjoy three themed dining evenings, including a seafood barbecue under the stars featuring prawns, lobster and oysters. For stays of five nights or more, guests may also take part in a complimentary group cooking class, with a choice between ethnic or Italian cuisine, led by the resort’s culinary team.

Wellness offerings are also incorporated into the programme, with guests able to participate in up to three complimentary sunrise yoga sessions per stay, subject to availability.

The introduction of the Premium All Inclusive experience reflects the resort’s focus on personalised service and carefully curated stays. The offering is positioned to appeal to couples seeking relaxation, romance or activity-led experiences within an adults-only island setting.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending

Copyright all rights reserved by Maldives Promotion House 2023.