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La Dolce Vita gourmet weeks at Cocoon Maldives, You & Me Maldives

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Cocoon Maldives and You & Me Maldives bring sweetness to the sunny side of life with the Gourmet Week events. The ever-awaited gourmet weeks takes La Dolce Vita as the fitting theme to celebrate the sweet life. This culinary journey is led by The Cocoon Collection’s Corporate Executive Chef Giovanni De Ambrosis with some of the most celebrated guest chefs.

Chef Roberto Balgisi opened the first set of the gourmet weeks from 16th to 22nd February. At Cocoon Maldives, he greeted guests with his gastronomic creations in the main buffet restaurant, Octopus, and a set of à la carte delights on the menu of our fine dining restaurant, Manta. While at You & Me Maldives, the Chef brought a special addition to the dinner menu at The Sand restaurant. The set was closed with a cooking show by chef Roberto Balgisi and chef Giovanni De Ambrosis: casarecce pasta with Ligurian Pesto – among the most traditional ingredients from Ligurian cuisine – served by the beach with Artisan Burrata and a stunning view of the crystal-clear turquoise lagoon.

Chef Balgisi presently helms the position as Executive chef at Grand Hotel Alassio, where he showcases cooking prowess, artistry and curiosity. By bringing music as one of his inspirations, Chef Balgisi can take everyone to a poetic dining experience.

In March, The Cocoon Collection’s very own Chef Giovanni will delight the taste buds with one of the most unique, rich and luxurious ingredients: truffles.

From March 20th to 22nd, catch chef Giovanni in action at Cocoon Maldives to taste the famous artisan Cocoon focaccia, served with bresaola, truffle honey touch, balsamic truffle pearl and fresh Maltagliati buckwheat pasta, served with truffle butter and aged parmigiano Reggiano.

From March 25th to 27th, guests of You & Me Maldives will have the chance to savor the piquant taste of Risotto Carnaroli, truffle and lime zest. Chef Giovanni will also do his cooking show where he will share his secret recipe to make a perfect white snapper tartare with truffle and mango concasse.

The culinary journey to live up the dream of a sweet life continues from 29th of April to 6th of May with chef Andrea Berton. As the Michelin-starred chef who curated You & Me Maldives’ H2O underwater restaurant, he makes a regular presence on the island to introduce his new creation or share his latest culinary rediscovery.

During this upcoming visit, chef Berton will take us inside his brilliant philosophy to a sunset aperitif at our Shisha Lounge on the beach. In the gourmet week finale, guests can seize the opportunity to learn his cooking masterpiece surrounded by rich underwater life at H2O.

The Cocoon Collection gourmet week events always promise a truly memorable experience of an unparalleled culinary journey with exceptional cuisine from our special invitee chefs. True to the Italian tradition and philosophy, to embody a life immersed in enjoying the little moments passionately as the guests relax and unwind in their cocoon.

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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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JOALI Maldives welcomes FIX’s iconic chocolate in first-ever global expansion

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Dubai-based artisanal brand FIX Dessert Chocolatier, renowned for its viral chocolate creations, has partnered with JOALI Maldives – the Indian Ocean’s first art-immersive luxury island resort. Starting 2 July 2025, guests at JOALI Maldives will have the exclusive opportunity to indulge in FIX’s signature creation, The Original Dubai Chocolate, marking the first time the coveted dessert will be available outside the UAE.

Famed for its bold creativity, intricate layering, and unforgettable textures, FIX has redefined the modern dessert experience. This collaboration brings together two worlds of sensory delight – the imaginative world of FIX and the refined, story-driven luxury of JOALI Maldives.

As part of this partnership, FIX introduces Time To Mango, a brand-new chocolate bar inspired by tropical fruits, warm breezes, and the playful spirit of summer. Blending mango-forward flavours with nostalgic childhood treats and a whimsical touch of popping candy, the creation delivers a multi-sensory experience wrapped in rich chocolate.

FIX Dessert Chocolatier’s signature artistry and innovative flavour combinations align seamlessly with the philosophy of JOALI Maldives, a resort celebrated for its immersive art, sublime design, and curated experiences. According to FIX co-founder Sarah Hamouda, “This collaboration is about more than flavour – it’s about sparking wonder and delivering delight in unexpected ways. Seeing our creation featured at JOALI Maldives feels like the perfect match of storytelling and indulgence.”

Guests at JOALI Maldives will encounter FIX’s chocolates across various curated settings – from the private airport lounge and the resort’s artisanal ice cream shop to bespoke in-villa amenities and select evening turndown rituals. Every piece is hand-crafted in Dubai, carefully transported, and presented under the Maldivian sun as a true edible work of art.

Commenting on the partnership, Semiha Askin, Global Director of Sales and Marketing at JOALI, stated, “At JOALI, we embrace art in all its forms – from visual and spatial to culinary. Partnering with FIX Dessert Chocolatier allows us to extend that ethos into the realm of artisanal sweets. Their chocolate is more than a dessert – it’s an immersive experience our guests will remember, one bite at a time.”

This marks FIX’s first international placement, making JOALI Maldives the only destination outside of the UAE to offer the brand’s signature chocolate. The collaboration exemplifies a shared dedication to luxury, creativity, and culinary innovation.

Located in one of the largest and deepest atolls in the world, JOALI Maldives offers 73 elegantly appointed beach and over-water villas, each accompanied by a personal Jadugar (meaning “skilled magician” in Dhivehi). The resort is a sanctuary of sustainability, immersive programming, and next-level wellbeing offerings, including the JOALI BEING Cure – the first outpost of sister retreat JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ pioneering wellness island.

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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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