JA Manafaru is thrilled to announce the launch of its refreshed menus at White Orchid Restaurant, beginning September 10th. This revamped dining experience is set to combine modern Japanese cuisine with a firm commitment to sustainability.

The updated menu boasts standout dishes that showcase seasonal ingredients and sustainable practices:

For entrées, guests can indulge in the Reef Octopus, prepared with ginger, scallion, lemon, soy, mirin salmon roe, chili crisps, sesame, and microgreens freshly harvested from the on-site garden. This farm-to-table approach minimises environmental impact and supports local food practices.

The mains feature the Yellowfin Tuna Steak, accompanied by roasted tuna jus, lemon, teppan-fried onion, broccolini, and a crisp myoga salad. The tuna is freshly caught by local fishermen, ensuring top quality and promoting sustainable seafood practices while supporting the local fishing community.

White Orchid Restaurant’s new menu highlights its commitment to eco-friendly dining. By using homegrown ingredients and collaborating with local fishermen, the restaurant aims to reduce its carbon footprint and source seafood responsibly. Additionally, an Edible Flower Garden has been introduced to enhance the garden-to-table concept with fresh, healthy garnishes.

The restaurant is also unveiling the “Wellness Your Way” menu, which is tailored to various dietary needs. This menu provides delicious and nutritious options for individuals with specific dietary restrictions or anyone seeking healthier choices, aligning with the holistic approach to well-being.

Executive Chef Moosa comments, “The updated menu at White Orchid Restaurant reflects our commitment to modern Japanese cuisine and sustainable dining. We have focused on incorporating fresh, local ingredients like garden microgreens and locally caught tuna to enhance flavor while supporting our community and environment. Each dish is designed to offer a memorable dining experience that celebrates innovation.”

General Manager Jason Kruse adds, “White Orchid’s new menu exemplifies our dedication to excellence and sustainability. By merging modern Japanese cuisine with environmentally conscious practices and offering options for gluten-free, low-carb, dairy-free, vegetarian, and vegan guests, we are elevating the dining experience in the Maldives. We eagerly anticipate welcoming guests to this fresh and responsible culinary journey.”

Guests are invited to join on September 10th, 2024, to experience this innovative dining offering and discover why White Orchid is a distinguished destination in the Maldives for both exceptional quality and sustainability.

Guests at Maldivian resorts will experience vibrant Southeast Asian cuisine this September as Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) teams up with Vismark Food Industries for a series of culinary showcases.

From September 8 to 19, 2024, Vismark’s Corporate Chef Samson Lim, alongside BBM’s team, will lead live cooking demonstrations at select resorts. Designed to inspire creativity in the kitchen, these sessions allow chefs to explore new flavours and techniques, creating unique and unforgettable dining moments for their guests.

“I’m excited to collaborate with the talented chefs of the Maldives,” says Chef Samson Lim. “These sessions aren’t just about cooking; they’re about sharing techniques, sparking inspiration, and introducing key Southeast Asian ingredients like dim sum, paus, sambal, and laksa pastes—ingredients that can transform resort menus.”

BBM has been a leading supplier to the Maldivian hospitality industry for over 30 years, with a reputation for bringing premium products and culinary innovations to the region. Vismark Food Industries, based in Singapore, is a trusted name in the global food market. For over three decades, Vismark has been exporting high-quality Southeast Asian delicacies to many countries worldwide, supplying top hotels, restaurants, and food service industries across the globe. Their commitment to excellence and authentic flavours has made them a favourite among culinary professionals seeking to elevate their dishes.

While resort guests won’t witness the culinary demonstrations themselves, they’ll undoubtedly taste the results as these fresh, bold flavours make their way into buffets and à la carte menus. The collaboration aims to blend traditional Southeast Asian elements with global influences, ensuring guests experience something authentic and extraordinary.

“Our ingredients give chefs the flexibility to explore endless possibilities,” says Steve Tan, Director of Business Development at Vismark. “Whether they’re crafting authentic Southeast Asian dishes or experimenting with fusion, we’re giving them the tools to create innovative, standout meals for their guests.”

AVS Subrahmanyam, COO of BBM, underscores the initiative’s importance to Maldivian hospitality: “This partnership goes beyond showcasing ingredients—it’s about providing chefs with the knowledge and creative freedom to elevate their dishes to new heights. We’re proud to support the Maldives’ world-class resorts with the best products and hands-on expertise.”

By curating high-quality ingredients and fostering partnerships with global brands, BBM has continually driven innovation in the Maldives’ food and beverage industry. This partnership with Vismark demonstrates their commitment to maintaining the Maldives’ status as a premier destination for its natural beauty and exceptional dining experiences.

As the Maldives strengthens its position as a global tourism leader, collaborations like this ensure its culinary offerings remain exciting, diverse, and competitive on the world stage. BBM and Vismark are enabling resort chefs to create extraordinary dining experiences, fusing Southeast Asian flavours with international appeal.

Mirihi Island Resort, renowned for its intimate luxury and stunning natural surroundings, has announced a special culinary event this October. On the 22nd and 23rd, the resort’s award-winning Muraka restaurant will host a one-of-a-kind pop-up dining experience featuring Chef Thierry Drapeau from the Michelin-starred Signature Bangkok.

Chef Thierry Drapeau, celebrated for his refined and expressive “Cuisine of the Soil,” will collaborate with Muraka’s talented culinary team to create a unique 5-course menu. This gastronomic event promises to blend local Maldivian ingredients with an international twist, showcasing the art of fine dining in one of the world’s most breathtaking settings.

Guests of Mirihi will have the rare opportunity to witness Chef Thierry’s epicurean craftsmanship firsthand as he brings his renowned culinary philosophy to the Maldives. Drawing from his roots in France’s Loire Valley and his experience leading the 2-Michelin star Logis de la Chabotterie, Chef Thierry’s dishes are known for their lightness, expressiveness, and intricate flavors.

Muraka restaurant, perched elegantly over the lagoon, offers a fitting backdrop for this exclusive event. With panoramic ocean views and an abundance of marine life visible on the reef below, Muraka embodies the formality and sophistication of French Michelin-star dining. The restaurant’s award-winning wine list, featuring selections from both the Old and New World, and its exclusive range of fine champagnes, will perfectly complement Chef Thierry’s menu, elevating this dining experience to new heights.

Originally hailing from Nantes in France’s Loire Valley, Chef Thierry Drapeau has built an illustrious career marked by his dedication to the “Cuisine of the Soil” – a culinary approach that emphasises the connection between the land, the sea, and the plate. His passion for sourcing the finest ingredients and his ability to create complex yet harmonious flavours have earned him international acclaim. Prior to his current role at Signature Bangkok, Chef Thierry led the prestigious Logis de la Chabotterie in Saint-Sulpice-le-Verdon, maintaining its 2-Michelin star status for nine consecutive years. After 15 years of perfecting his craft in France, Chef Thierry sought new challenges in Asia, where he continues to make a significant impact on the culinary scene.

This exclusive pop-up event is an extraordinary opportunity for food enthusiasts and connoisseurs to indulge in a Michelin-starred dining experience in the heart of the Maldives. Reservations are highly recommended, as space is limited.

For more information and reservations, please contact Mirihi Island Resort at reservation@mirihi.com