Cooking
Sebastian Frank to present ‘Roots & Waves’ menus at Nova Maldives in May 2026
Sebastian Frank, acclaimed chef and owner of Berlin’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Restaurant Horváth, will be a guest chef at Nova Maldives from 10 to 15 May 2026, presenting an exceptional culinary residency. Originally from Austria, Frank has developed a distinctive culinary signature through his philosophy of “emancipated vegetable cuisine” — a radically personal approach that moves far beyond conventional fine dining.
For Nova, Sebastian Frank has created a series of new menus under the theme “Roots & Waves” — bold, uncompromising and defined by clarity. The menus express the essence of his cuisine: no artifice, no luxury for luxury’s sake. Instead, seemingly simple ingredients take centre stage, elevated through precise craftsmanship, creative techniques and the transformative power of time. The result is food with purpose, character and lasting impact.
At the heart of Chef Sebastian’s emancipated vegetable cuisine is an uncompromising focus on vegetables and fruit. During his residency at Nova, ingredients such as aubergine, spinach and pumpkin will play a central role, reflecting his commitment to regional and seasonal produce. By exploring their flavours in multiple dimensions, Chef Sebastian creates a completely new culinary experience. The predominantly vegetarian focus not only reflects his personal philosophy, but also aligns seamlessly with Nova’s sustainability-led concept.

During the residency, Chef Sebastian will host two exclusive gourmet dinners at Flames Restaurant on 10 and 15 May 2026. On 12 May 2026, guests will also have the opportunity to take part in a vegetable-focused cooking class at Soul Kitchen, where Chef Sebastian will present the signature recipe of his iconic dish “Celery – Mature and Young”. The celery component of this dish undergoes a unique maturation process lasting an entire year.
An optional, trend-setting non-alcoholic beverage pairing will be available alongside the menus, featuring tea infusions, house-made vegetable juices, premium oils and refined reductions. All menus are offered either fully vegetarian or, alternatively, with locally sourced fish or meat components.
Sebastian Frank describes his philosophy in his own words: “Restriction is focus, and vegetables are my strongest form of expression. I continually engage with my culinary roots, which enables me to create dishes that emotionally resonate with people. I am very much looking forward to introducing Nova’s guests to my emancipated vegetable cuisine — with refined dishes that unite Maldivian and regional ingredients.”
This approach fits seamlessly with the ethos of Nova Maldives, where enjoyment, sustainability and modern lifestyle converge to create an exceptional fine-dining experience in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
“We are delighted to welcome Chef Sebastian Frank, a true pioneer of vegetable-led cuisine, to Nova,” says Abdulla Aboobakuru, General Manager of Nova Maldives. “We are excited to experience his creative dishes that combine Maldivian ingredients with regional produce. Maldivian cuisine lends itself surprisingly well to vegetarian and even vegan interpretations — traditional fish curry, for example, is now often prepared with sweet potato or jackfruit. Curries featuring pumpkin, aubergine, okra or chickpeas are also popular, alongside vegetarian snacks such as fried plantain or breadfruit. Our guests at Nova will be able to enjoy this diversity throughout the residency.”
For bookings and more information on the island resort, visit Nova’s website.
Cooking
Baros Maldives to showcase sustainable dining for Earth Day
Baros Maldives is set to host a curated Earth Day experience titled Earth Day in Bloom on 22 April 2026, offering guests an evening programme centred on sustainability, nature and locally sourced ingredients.
The event will begin at 6:30pm at the resort’s Chef’s Garden, where guests will be welcomed with a Garden Spritz before taking part in a guided tour of the garden. The tour will introduce participants to local herbs and island-grown produce cultivated on the property.
As part of the programme, guests will be invited to plant their own herb, contributing to the garden while engaging in an activity aligned with environmental awareness. The experience will continue with a garden dinner starting at 7pm, featuring a menu designed around fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the island.
An optional pairing of organic wines will also be available, providing an additional element to the dining experience.
The event is priced at USD 175 per person, excluding applicable service charge and taxes. Reservations can be made through the resort’s butler service.
The initiative reflects Baros Maldives’ focus on sustainability-led guest experiences, integrating environmental awareness with culinary offerings and on-island activities.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa introduces Secret Garden private dining concept
Kuredhivaru Resort & Spa presents a new chapter in destination dining with the launch of its Secret Garden concept, a thoughtfully designed experience that brings guests into a secluded setting surrounded by nature, soft lighting, and carefully curated details.
Tucked away in a quiet corner of the island, Secret Garden is created for those moments that deserve more than a traditional dinner. The space is styled with flowing drapes, warm candlelight, and natural greenery, creating a calm and intimate atmosphere that feels both personal and special. It is a setting that invites guests to slow down, connect, and enjoy the evening at their own pace.
At the centre of the experience is a seven-course menu, crafted to guide guests through a balanced journey of flavours. Each course is presented with care, with live cooking moments adding a sense of theatre and interaction throughout the evening. The service remains attentive yet discreet, allowing the experience to feel seamless and uninterrupted.
Guests can choose between two tailored offerings. The Romantic Escape focuses on the dining experience itself, complemented by a beautifully arranged setup and personalised service. For those looking to extend the evening, the Ultimate Romance Experience adds thoughtful touches such as a welcome glass of champagne, a private cinema moment under the open sky, in-villa breakfast the next day, and special bed decoration to complete the occasion.
The concept also allows for additional customisation, from floral arrangements to bespoke messages and decorative details, giving guests the flexibility to shape the evening around their celebration, whether it is a birthday, proposal, or simply a meaningful time together.
With Secret Garden, Kuredhivaru continues to expand its dining experiences beyond traditional venues, offering guests something more personal and immersive. It reflects the resort’s approach to hospitality, where every detail is considered, and each experience is designed to feel natural, effortless, and quietly memorable.
For any reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 6563000.
Cooking
Sun Siyam Iru Fushi hosts Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch
Modern travellers increasingly view a destination as a collection of flavours to be explored, often reserving their dining experiences at the same moment they book their stay to ensure a true sense of discovery.

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi has embraced this trend, aligning its “Premium Island Experience” with exclusive chef residencies that transform an island stay into a sophisticated, curated sensory adventure. This approach reflects the resort’s core philosophy in reimagining the guest experience in its 15 dining venues and bars.

Central to this refined vision, the resort’s Easter programme debuted with a bespoke four-course residency masterminded by Michelin-starred Chef Robin Pietsch. Collaborating closely with Executive Chef Putu Wijana and Beverage Manager & Sommelier Sunil Kumar, Pietsch ensured every ingredient achieved a sensual harmony with its chosen vintage pairing—a true study in the art of culinary chemistry.

The residency was hosted at Islander’s Grill, the resort’s beachfront destination, where the “Land & Sea” menu showcased technical precision through signatures such as Hand-Cut Beef Tartare finished with a silken yolk and garden botanicals; Lightly Cured Cod jewelled with Beluga Caviar; and a succulent Beef Cheek with Seared Foie Gras and winter truffle.
The experience concluded with a Topfen Dumpling accented by papaya, yogurt, and almond. The menu featured curated pairings, including French Champagne and a selection of prestigious French and Italian wines.

“We strive for a synergy between Michelin-standard precision and the evocative pulse of local and regional provenance. This marriage of world-class craft enables us to elevate our flavour profile, establishing a new lineage of bespoke dishes that honour our heritage while setting a sophisticated benchmark for the Sun Siyam Iru Fushi dining experience,” highlighted Abdulla Atham, Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort Manager.
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