Food
Michelin-starred Italian chef Maurizio Bufi brings Lake Garda flavours to The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands brings the shores of Lake Garda to the palm-fringed beaches of the Maldives. Michelin-starred Chef Maurizio Bufi and mixologist Rama Redzepi will take guests on an unforgettable culinary journey from February 26 to 28, 2026. Maurizio Bufi, born in the Apulia region, creates modern Mediterranean cuisine that combines Italian roots with contemporary precision. His dishes are characterised by clear flavours, lightness, and understated elegance, with each ingredient speaking for itself. Rama Redzepi learned from the best in Italian bar and cocktail culture, Remo Pizzolito and Samuele Ambrosi. Through his cocktail creations, he elevates Bufi’s vegetarian menu into an entirely new dining experience. Instead of wine, Rama’s cocktails accompany the menu.
As part of the Masters of Crafts and Behind the Bar 2026 series, the resort welcomes this formidable duo from Italy’s Grand Hotel Fasano on Lake Garda. At The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, where each experience is designed to engage all the senses, international masters of their craft bring culinary artistry to life in one of the world’s most extraordinary settings.

The first Culinary Maestro of 2026, Chef Maurizio Bufi, will bring his signature Italian creations to the resort’s Italian restaurant, La Locanda, for two exceptional evenings. On February 26, guests will enjoy the exclusive 4-course vegetarian menu, “Dalla Terra” (from the earth), where vegetables take center stage— even in dessert. Chef Bufi’s risotto combines lemon, burrata, and a hint of licorice, perfectly complemented by cocktails crafted by Rama Redzepi. Wine is not served with this menu, allowing guests to fully savour the interplay of flavours and mixology.
On February 28, Chef Bufi returns with a second 4-course menu, featuring seafood, fish, and meat. Squid is paired with sweetbreads and cashews, while beef ravioli is accompanied by shiitake mushrooms, barley miso, and orange. A curated selection of exquisite wines accompanies this menu, while both evenings begin with a series of amuse-bouchées from the kitchen, designed to prepare the palate for Maurizio’s masterful creations.

Dining at La Locanda is an experience in itself, with overwater tables set beneath the open sky. Guests can immerse themselves in the same sense of place as Lake Garda’s Il Fagiano, where lights shimmer across Italy’s largest lake, while enjoying the flavours of the Maldives.
Meanwhile, Bar Manager and Mixologist Rama Redzepi will take over the resort’s EAU Bar for three nights, presenting his signature cocktails as part of the Behind the Bar 2026 series. His four creations include “Il Tramonto Sul Lago,” inspired by the landscapes and sunsets of Lake Garda; “Midori No Sakura,” inspired by Japan and the tea ceremony; “From Jalisco to Benaco,” a journey from Mexico to Lake Garda; and “Total Branco,” representing Porto, the birthplace of port wine.
At the EAU Bar, the transition from day to night is brought to life each evening through the resort’s Defining Moment ritual. For three days in February, guests can enjoy the magic of the island alongside a taste of Lake Garda, echoing Rama Redzepi’s summer terrace at La Terrazza, overlooking the boat dock and shimmering waters of the Italian lake.

Maurizio Bufi grew up in southern Italy, in Puglia, and from an early age he was so enthusiastic about the flavous and ingredients of his homeland that he developed a desire to become a chef. After training as a chef, he was drawn to Lake Como, then to the high seas on a cruise ship, and finally to Switzerland and then Lake Garda, where he earned his first star at Villa Giulia. In 2024, his restaurant Fagiano at the Grand Hotel Fasano was awarded a Michelin star.
To this day, he has retained his childhood memories and respect for all products, and vegetables, which play a major role in Apulian cuisine, have also become increasingly important to Bufi. His cuisine is based on seasonality, sustainability, and the careful selection of the best Italian products, with technique serving exclusively to emphasise the purity of flavour without overshadowing it. Abroad, he encountered new products, spices, and preparation methods, which he skilfully combines with his Mediterranean cuisine.
Rama Redzepi, born in Pristina, moved to Italy at the age of 13. He comes from a multicultural family and quickly fell in love with his new country, which he embraced wholeheartedly. His passion belongs to the bar – he is a mixologist and has been bar manager at the Grand Hotel Fasano for 12 years, which received the “Best Hotel Bar in Lombardy” award from Gambero Rosso in 2020. Rama discovered his love of bartending at a beach bar in Veneto. This passion led him on a successful career path throughout Europe. After a first stop at a hotel bar in Frankfurt, he moved to Spain and developed a deep love for gin and tonic. Upon his return to Italy, two leading figures in Italian bar and cocktail culture, Remo Pizzolitto and Samuele Ambrosi, took him under their wing, and Rama became a bartender.

His bar at the Grand Hotel Fasano stocks over 70 gins and 30 tonic waters. Rama Redzepi has created cocktails to accompany each course of Maurizio Bufi’s “Dalla Terra” (English: from the earth) menu. Wine is not served with this menu, opening up a whole new world of enjoyment for guests.
At Restaurant Fagiano, the culinary flagship of the Grand Hotel Fasano, Chef Maurizio Bufi shapes the cuisine with his modern, Mediterranean-inspired signature style. Awarded a Michelin star since 2024, Fagiano stands for precise flavors, elegant lightness, and cuisine that interprets Italian tradition in a contemporary way. The gastronomic offering is complemented by Rama’s Bar, run by Bar Manager Rama Redzepi, who creates a stylish meeting place in the heart of the historic building with creative signature drinks and classic bar culture. Between palm trees, lakeshore, and Belle Époque ambience, a place has been created where enjoyment, style, and the Italian way of life come together in a special way.
For more information and bookings, visit the resort’s website.
Food
Michelin-starred Chef Charles Coulombeau to host exclusive residency at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will welcome Michelin-starred French chef Charles Coulombeau from 26 to 28 November 2026.
The three-day programme opens with sunset cocktails and canapés, followed by a fine dining evening at Muraka Restaurant and a special cooking class with the chef.
Coulombeau leads the kitchen at La Maison dans le Parc in Nancy, France, which holds one Michelin star. His cooking pairs modern French technique with influences from his time in Japan, bringing ingredients such as citrus and seaweed into dishes shaped by seasonal produce.
The culinary programme:
- Thursday, 26 November | Sunset cocktails and canapés. The programme opens with sunset cocktails and Michelin-inspired canapés, offering guests a first taste of the chef’s approach ahead of Friday’s fine dining event.
- Friday, 27 November | Fine dining at Muraka Restaurant. Coulombeau will present a special dinner at the resort’s overwater Muraka Restaurant, where guests can experience his modern French cooking overlooking the Indian Ocean.
- Saturday, 28 November | Special Cooking Class. Guests will have the opportunity to learn directly from Coulombeau and explore some of the techniques behind his cooking.
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection offers an intimate island retreat in the Maldives, with beach and overwater accommodation, dining overlooking the ocean, and experiences on and beneath the water.
Cooking
Sirru Fen Fushi welcomes back Chef Tristan Brandt for exclusive festive dining experiences
Following a successful residency at Sirru Fen Fushi – Private Lagoon Resort, the resort’s acclaimed Sirru Icons Series welcomes back Chef Tristan Brandt, one of Europe’s most acclaimed culinary talents and formerly Germany’s youngest two-Michelin-starred chef, for an exclusive festive season residency.
Renowned for his contemporary interpretation of French gastronomy, Chef Tristan has earned international recognition for combining classical technique, exceptional ingredients, and global influences to create refined dining experiences. Having trained under some of Germany’s most respected culinary masters, including Harald Wohlfahrt, and led acclaimed restaurants across Germany and Switzerland, he continues to be recognised as one of Europe’s leading culinary figures.

Set against the backdrop of the Maldives’ pristine natural beauty, Chef Tristan’s return residency offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the cuisine of one of Europe’s leading chefs in an intimate island setting.
As part of The Constellations of Moments, Sirru Fen Fushi’s festive season programme, Chef Tristan’s return brings a world-class gastronomic dimension to a season dedicated to celebration, discovery, and meaningful connections beneath the Maldivian sky.
Following the success of their previous collaboration, Chef Tristan Brandt will once again join forces with Sirru Fen Fushi’s Executive Chef Girish Sharma for an exclusive Six-Course Four Hands Dinner at Azure Restaurant on 29 December 2026. Showcasing Chef Tristan’s signature blend of French culinary craftsmanship and international influences alongside locally inspired flavours, the evening promises a refined gastronomic journey celebrating creativity, technique, and exceptional ingredients. Set within Azure’s elegant overwater setting, guests will enjoy an immersive dining experience where each course reflects the artistry and vision of two accomplished chefs.

To welcome the New Year, Chef Tristan will present an exclusive Signature Four-Course Dinner at Azure on 2 January 2027. Carefully curated to reflect his celebrated culinary philosophy, the menu will showcase refined flavour compositions, sophisticated techniques, and exceptional ingredients inspired by modern French gastronomy and global influences. The experience offers guests a rare opportunity to discover the creativity and precision that have earned Chef Tristan international acclaim.
Located within one of the Maldives’ largest natural lagoons, Sirru Fen Fushi offers a distinctive blend of luxury, nature, and discovery. Through the Sirru Icons Series, the resort continues to bring internationally acclaimed talents to the island, creating meaningful experiences that connect guests with exceptional people, cultures, and ideas.
Building on the success of his previous residency, Chef Tristan’s return further reflects Sirru Fen Fushi’s commitment to curating exceptional experiences through long-standing collaborations with internationally acclaimed talents.

Set within the tranquil beauty of the resort’s natural island surroundings, Chef Tristan Brandt’s residency promises unforgettable moments where elevated gastronomy meets barefoot luxury, offering discerning travellers an extraordinary culinary experience in one of the Maldives’ most inspiring destinations.
For further information and reservations, please visit the resort’s official website or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
Cooking
OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI to host Diwali celebrations in November
Some Diwali memories are made at home; others begin when the family journeys somewhere extraordinary together. This festive season, THE OZEN COLLECTION invites Indian families to bring the warmth of their traditions to two private Maldivian islands, where time slows, celebrations feel personal and every generation can reconnect. On 8th and 9th November, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI will pair the familiar flavours and rituals of Diwali with the space, privacy and intuitive hospitality of an island escape.
At OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, the festivities will unfold across the specially decorated Indian and Sri Lankan cuisine overwater restaurant. On 8th November, from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM, TRADITION INDOCEYLON will present an exclusive thali inspired by India’s diverse culinary heritage, complemented by time-honoured Diwali sweets. Vibrant lights, lanterns and floral décor will transform the setting into an elegant island celebration where families can gather, reconnect and share the rituals of the season at an unhurried pace.

At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, SAFFRON will host The Festival of Lights on 8th and 9th November, from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Specially curated vegetarian and non-vegetarian Diwali thalis will reinterpret traditional Indian dishes with contemporary touches. A live chaat counter will prepare Dahi Bhalla and Aloo Tikki to order, while a festive welcome drink adds thoughtful notes of ceremony. Musical performances will complete an intimate evening created for generations to celebrate together, with privacy, ease and a genuine sense of occasion.
The celebrations are included within the resorts’ respective plans: the INDULGENCE™ Plan at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and the RESERVE™ Plan at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI. For families imagining Diwali differently this year, the experience brings together festive dining, generous island living and the rare luxury of uninterrupted time together. Whether sharing a thali, passing cherished rituals to a younger generation or simply gathering without the rush of an itinerary, guests can celebrate a Diwali that carries the heart of India into the beauty of the Maldives.

THE OZEN COLLECTION, an exceptional brand from the Atmosphere Core portfolio, curates timeless sanctuaries set apart by an experience of Refined Elegance. Travellers can expect an abundance of sophisticated services blended with a grand sense of space and design and an enriching culture. The brand comprises two private islands in the Maldives, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI.
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