Food
Foodie highlight of year: Renowned The Breakfast Club takes over Kandima Maldives this November
Kandima Maldives and the UK’s very own The Breakfast Club will be cooking up a storm from the 13 – 19 November in a unique, border-crossing, union of exceptional ingredients and experience. Bringing about a groundbreaking dining collaboration for the first time ever, the trendy multi-site eatery is taking its culinary odyssey abroad, for a sizzling week-long extravaganza packed with gastronomic delights, overwater floating breakfast deliveries, interactive pancake creation classes, and island-infused, Brunch Bingos!
Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Kandima Maldives is a game-changing, tropical paradise renowned for striking natural settings, abundant offering of activities, ten bars and eateries, and vibrant contemporary atmosphere. The five-star island resort reimagines affordable Maldivian getaways for families, groups and couples, boasting breathtaking
views of the Dhaalu Atoll. Surrounded by its three kilometre-long white sandy beach, crystal-clear waters teeming with nature’s gentle giants, and lush vegetation, Kandima provides an idyllic backdrop for an unforgettable stay.
Since 2005, The Breakfast Club has been serving up appetising, iconic dishes paired with a retro-inspired ambiance, providing guests with a welcoming and nostalgic experience. The Breakfast Club born & bred in Soho London in 2005, has been serving up breakfast for over 18 years. Good food and drinks for all, always with a warm, arms wide open welcome. Uplifting hospitality in everything they do making ‘Today a Good Day’ for their guests, teams and communities. With the latest branch opening at Gatwick Airport this June, London’s caf master is taking their culinary voyage to new heights, by bringing a touch of the UK to the Maldives.
This November, The Breakfast Club are teaming up with oh so stylish Kandima Maldives to curate a variety of hosted customer events and experiences, in a pioneering partnership. The beloved cafe and the Maldivian island resort and set to sous-chef in Kandima’s kitchens, providing guests with some signature recipes and breakfast dishes with a twist.
During the week, guests are treated to a series of events, kicking off with the Big Breakfast Boozy Brunch, picture a UK bottomless, but make it Asian inspired! This interactive Breakfast Club style brunch affair will be hosted at Kandima’s Forbidden Bar and Sea Dragon, with panoramic Indian Ocean views. While guests feast on a menu of All-American breakfast spreads, British fry-ups, Breakfast Mai Tai’s and Rine & Shine Mimosas, they can also enjoy a host of games and rounds of Boozy Breakfast Bingo to the sound of live retro DJ tunes. Winners are in for incredible prizes, so, get set for a day of dabbing and dancing!
Cocktails in bed? Yes, please! Early mornings in the Maldives just got even sweeter with The Breakfast Club’s sumptuous Floating Breakfast in your villa. From the 14- 17 November, this unique room service brekkie will be up for grabs which guests can either sign up when booking their stay, or order a day prior on first-come-first-serve basis. Start the day off right with some sweet and savoury breakfast favourites in this curated menu, with specific munchies available for meat lovers, veggies and vegans alike, delivered straight to your villa for you to enjoy from the comfort of your cosy island home, with vistas of the crystal-clear waters.
Rounding off the week, the experienced team of chefs will guide a class of guests through The Breakfast Club’s Maldivian Pancake Masterclass. Offering adults and kids alike their
shot at cheffing, guests will follow along to create a limited-edition version of The Breakfast Club’s best-selling breakfast item, this time, infused with flavours of the sunny side of life. With a spread of toppings to personalise your plate, the best stack will receive prizes – so flip, to win!
Feed your wanderlust and tummy with a foodie-themed visit to Kandima Maldives this November like no other! The Breakfast Club’s three-in-one rendezvous is set to make its mark and bring the most symphony of flavours to the island.
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.
Drink
St. Regis Maldives Vommuli welcomes Glynn Purnell for Tastemaker Series
Glynn Purnell, the Michelin-starred chef, restaurateur and television personality known as “The Yummy Brummie”, will bring his modern British cooking to the Indian Ocean this April as part of the Tastemaker Series at St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort.
With a career spanning more than 35 years, two Michelin-starred restaurants and a long-standing presence on British television, Purnell’s residency will take place from 3 to 6 April. His ingredient-led approach will be presented through a curated programme that includes a signature tasting dinner, an intimate cooking class and a closing experience hosted at The Whale Bar, offering guests the opportunity to engage with his cuisine in an informal setting.
Purnell began his culinary career at the age of 14 through a hotel kitchen work placement before refining his skills at the Metropole Hotel and at Simpson’s Restaurant, where he contributed to the restaurant’s first Michelin star. His professional training also includes working alongside chefs such as Gordon Ramsay, Gary Rhodes and Claude Bosi, as well as experience in Michelin-starred kitchens across Europe. Purnell later made history by earning Birmingham’s first Michelin star for Jessica’s in 2005, followed by a Michelin star for Purnell’s, which the restaurant has retained since 2009.
In addition to his restaurant work, Purnell is a well-known figure on British television. He has won Great British Menu twice and has returned to the programme as a mentor. His television appearances also include Saturday Kitchen, and he co-presented My Kitchen Rules UK alongside Rachel Allen on Channel 4.
Recognised for combining technical precision with an approachable style, Purnell’s residency forms part of the St. Regis Maldives’ 2026 Tastemaker Series, a programme designed to showcase international culinary talent through immersive guest experiences. His emphasis on seasonal, responsibly sourced ingredients and sustainable practices aligns with the resort’s broader commitment to considered luxury and culinary quality.
Set on Vommuli Island, the residency offers guests the opportunity to experience contemporary British gastronomy in a distinctive island setting, with rare access to one of the UK’s most influential chefs.
Cooking
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.
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