Cooking
Amilla Maldives commits to cruelty-free meat, ethical suppliers
In a move towards further enhancing its wellness cuisine and sustainability goals, Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences has revolutionised the way it does business with suppliers.
The five-star Maldives resort has committed to sourcing, wherever possible, its meat and fish from the most ethical sources. As such, most of the meat and fish at Amilla will now be free range, hormone-free and antibiotic free.
The animals and fish are reared to give them the highest quality of life possible. This means the contemporary, innovative menus contain the healthiest and highest quality ingredients available.
The majority of meat in the Maldives has to be sourced from overseas due to lack of agricultural land and the general unsuitability of the small coral islands for raising livestock.
And while Amilla works hand in hand with local fishermen to supply fresh tuna, wahoo, sailfish, lobster and more, there are still certain items such as cold-water fish like salmon that cannot be sourced locally. That’s why every resort in the island nation works with international suppliers.
But now, Amilla Maldives Resort has overhauled its supply chain to ensure the majority of its imported meat and fish is as sustainable and ethical as possible. This underlines the resort’s commitment to sustainability and healthy eating.
Amilla’s comprehensive ‘Wellness Your Way’ wellness cuisine programme has already repositioned it as a leading Maldives resort for wellness.
Dingley Dell pork
The changes include a new partnership with Dingley Dell pork suppliers in the UK. Their pork is free-range and is humanely raised using no hormones or antibiotics.
The farm is also active in creating a habitat for bumblebees, which helps the whole ecosystem to maintain balance.
Cape Grim beef
Cape Grim, a Tasmania-based farm, is now Amilla’s beef supplier.
The Cape has the world’s cleanest air, according to the world Meteorological Pollution Monitoring programme. Clean air becomes clean grass, and clean grass becomes clean meat.
And this area sees very high rainfall, meaning the grass grows very well. So, the cows do not have to walk very far to eat a lot, and as such, they maintain their intra-muscular fat, meaning that they have marble scores similar to Angus or Wagyu beef.
Cape Grim is also certified non-GMO and is Global Animal Partnership Audited.
Regal Marlborough King Salmon
Amilla’s salmon, from Regal Marlborough King Salmon in New Zealand, have plenty of room to grow during their lives, with only two percent of the sea farm being occupied by salmon and the remaining ninety-eight percent by water.
Regal Marlborough King Salmon abides by sustainable farming commitments and is annually audited and certified by the independent Best Aquaculture Practices programme from The Global Aquaculture Alliance.
They have also set a goal of 100 per cent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging across its business by 2025.
Hazeldene chicken
Hazeldene’s Chicken in Australia has been farming free range chickens since 1960.
The family-owned company’s free-range birds have the ability to forage naturally and instinctively amongst grasses, weeds, bushes, and trees in a secure environment.
Their diet is supported by locally supplied spice extracts and essential oils, creating happy, healthy and tasty chicken.
Hazeldene’s also has state of the art facility for breeding and rearing chicks before moving them to the pastures. Their processing plant is fully enclosed, with temperature, humidity and air pressure all controlled for bird comfort.
“We have just completed a review of our meat suppliers to ensure that we are sourcing the best products for our guests and for the world at large,” Amilla Maldives Resort’s Sustainability and Wellness Manager Victoria Kruse said.
“Our culinary team fully supports our shift to humanely raised, sustainably farmed meat suppliers. Also worth noting is that the change to these high quality, ethical meats does not bring a big increase in cost of goods, it’s a small change that can make a big difference.”
For more information, please visit https://www.amilla.com/maldives-wellness-resorts/ethical-meats.
Cooking
Baros Maldives’ The Lighthouse to present Duval-Leroy champagne pairing experience
Baros Maldives invites guests and discerning epicureans to an exclusive Champagne pairing dinner at The Lighthouse, the island’s iconic fine-dining restaurant, on 4 March 2026. Hosted for one evening only by Louis Duval-Leroy, family representative and Brand Ambassador of Maison Duval-Leroy, the intimate five-course experience celebrates the harmony between refined gastronomy and Champagne craftsmanship.
Perched above the Indian Ocean with panoramic ocean views, The Lighthouse is synonymous with Baros’ culinary philosophy. Long regarded as a benchmark for fine dining in the Maldives, the restaurant is known for its elegant setting, considered menus, and a focus on precision and technique. This one-night collaboration brings together Baros’ culinary team and the heritage of one of Champagne’s notable family-owned houses.
Founded in 1859, Maison Duval-Leroy is recognised for its Chardonnay-driven style, contemporary approach, and commitment to terroir and sustainability. Independent and family-owned for six generations, the House has been a pioneer in responsible viticulture, becoming the first Champagne house to achieve ISO 9002 certification in 1994, followed by Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification in 2015.
Representing the sixth generation, Louis Duval-Leroy brings both heritage and a modern perspective to the estate. With a background in business and extensive commercial experience, he has developed close relationships with chefs and sommeliers across the international fine-dining community. During the evening, he will personally guide guests through each cuvée, sharing insights into the philosophy, craftsmanship, and stories behind every Champagne.
The five-course menu has been carefully curated to complement the character of each pairing. Highlights include Smoked Goat Cheese Parfait with golden beets, paired with Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve; a Black Cod Mosaic matched with Brut Rosé Prestige Premier Cru; and a Lemon Meringue Tart served alongside Prestige Premier Cru Blanc de Blancs.
The Duval-Leroy Champagne Pairing Dinner offers an opportunity to experience Baros Maldives through destination dining, heritage Champagne, and an oceanfront setting.
With limited seating available, advance reservations are recommended. For bookings and enquiries, please contact +960 664 2672 or email reservations@baros.com.
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Michelin-starred Chef Jaume collaborates with One&Only Reethi Rah’s TAPASAKE for four-hands dinner
TAPASAKE Maldives, the destination dining restaurant set in the private island of One&Only Reethi Rah, will be welcoming Michelin-starred Chef Jaume to serve an exclusive four-hands dinner at the iconic overwater restaurant alongside their resident Chef Ahmed Jameel.
The first of its kind since the inception of One&Only Reethi Rah, TAPASAKE Maldives features breathtaking ocean views, bold contemporary design, and dining experiences that unite the precision of Japan and the soul of the Mediterranean in a flowing exchange of flavour, texture, and culture. In addition to the original restaurant in the Maldives, TAPASAKE also operates in Dubai, Mauritius, and Montenegro.
The exclusive collaboration features the authentic and sophisticated artistry of Chef Jaume, originally from Mallorca and Head Chef of Béns d’Avall in Sóller, Spain, awarded one Michelin star since 2021 and a Michelin Green Star in 2023. Chef Jaume’s cuisine is deeply rooted in family tradition, cultural heritage, and the Mallorcan landscapes, and with his meticulous eye for detail and instinctive sense of harmony, Chef Jaume transforms local, seasonal produce into refined compositions that evoke memory, place, and authenticity. Chef Jaume will be collaborating with the restaurant’s Chef de Cuisine, Ahmed Jameel, a native of the Maldives whose culinary work is founded in balancing both traditional and contemporary Japanese techniques.

Set against the soothing backdrop of the azure Indian Ocean, the Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptionally curated menu celebrating Chef Jaume and Chef Jameel’s quiet artistry, refined technique, and harmonious blend of Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines, with each dish shaped to honour the purity of ingredients and the emotional power of flavour.
“We are excited to collaborate with Chef Jaume on this exclusive dining experience,” says Jan B. Tibaldi, General Manager of One&Only Reethi Rah. “Paired with Chef Jameel’s refined techniques and Chef Jaume’s sophisticated creativity and philosophy grounded in a deep respect for nature, this Four-Hands Dinner offers an exceptional evening to celebrate the fusion of soulful cuisine against the spectacular backdrop of the Maldives.”
The dinner will be held exclusively on 18 February at TAPASAKE Maldives, which will be open from 7.30pm to 10.30pm.
For pre-bookings and more information, please email guest.information@oneandonlyreethirah.com or call +960 664 8800. For more information about the resort, please visit oneandonlyreethirah.com.
Cooking
ONDA debuts at The Standard, Maldives as new Mediterranean dining venue
The Standard, Maldives is making waves with the debut of ONDA. More than just a restaurant, ONDA (meaning “wave”) is an energetic, sophisticated take on Mediterranean cuisine, designed to be the most exciting dining destination in the region. Delivering bold, soulful food with a “come-as-you-are” vibe, ONDA flips the script on typical resort dining by replacing formality with pure, sun-drenched enjoyment.
“ONDA is a commitment to the playful, unconventional spirit of The Standard,” says Justin Swart, General Manager. “We aren’t just breaking the mold; we’re setting a new benchmark for fresh, flavorful experiences that are truly full of life.”

Led by Chef David Hartwig, a visionary with a Michelin-starred pedigree, ONDA is a passion project rooted in the philosophy of “Close to Nature, Close to Tradition.” His menu celebrates pristine Maldivian seafood through a Mediterranean lens.
Signature dishes include:
- Red Snapper Crudo: A tribute to local waters, utilising traditional curing methods paired with a high-umami citrus vinaigrette—the “hero” of Mediterranean fruit.
- Caramelle Scampi with Chives: Hand-crafted pasta paired with succulent scampi in a refined, chive-infused bouillabaisse foam.
- ONDA Bouillabaisse: A lighter, vibrant reimagining of the French classic, utilising a base of scampi heads and herbs sourced from neighbouring islands.
- Amalfi Lemon Cake: A moist, citrus-forward sponge that captures the aromatic essence of the Mediterranean coast.

The beverage programme at ONDA reimagines classics through house-made cordials, tinctures, and infusions. The aspiration is to treat every cocktail as a sensory voyage.
- Golden Drift: A smoky, citrus journey of aquavit, sherry, and pineapple, inspired by Mediterranean sunsets.
- ONDA Spritz: A sparkling ode to coastal gardens featuring tangerine sherbet and woodruff tincture.
- Mindful Drinking: A sophisticated 0% cocktail selection ensures every guest enjoys the same complexity and flair without the alcohol.
The wine programme at ONDA is curated to tell a story of heritage. From the crisp minerality of a Joseph Drouhin Chablis 2022 to the prestige of Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore, the list is designed for the discerning palate. Our team focuses on the “why” behind every bottle, explaining the significance of labels like Chapoutier’s 2017 Chrysopée to ensure perfect harmony with Chef Hartwig’s menu.

ONDA is here to stay, rewriting the rules for island dining. It’s the brand’s definitive answer to luxury without pretension, an anchor point for flavour and fun that promises to be just as fresh and exhilarating as the Maldivian waves it’s named after. The New Wave of Culinary Excellence has officially Arrived at The Standard Maldives, proving ONDA is exactly what The Standard does best: taking the typical resort dining experience and flipping it on its head.
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