Gastronomy
Anantara Veli Resort welcomes Bobby Chinn for a San Pellegrino Fine Dining Lovers event to the Maldives
Maldives.net.mv – Anantara Veli Resort welcomes celebrity TV Chef Bobby Chinn for a special guest appearance at 73 Degrees restaurant for one night only, 11 May 2016. In association with Fine Dining Lovers, the event is a continuation of an exclusive series at Anantara resorts across the Maldives, featuring culinary collaborations with San Pellegrino’s Fine Dining Lovers and award-winning chefs from the 50 Best restaurant series and beyond.
Bobby Chinn from House of Ho restaurant in London will appear for one night at Anantara Veli as a Guest Chef, followed by two events combining fishing trips and dining around the table with Bobby. Likeminded food lovers will gather in the serene ambiance of the luxury adults-only resort for an evening of exotic flavours and shared conversation on May 11. The following two days, guests can join Bobby on fishing trips and celebrate the catch with Anantara’s signature Dine By Design experience on the beach front, hosted by Bobby at the table.
Internationally renowned television presenter, chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Bobby Chinn has lived in Vietnam since 1996. Half Egyptian and half Chinese, he established his restaurant Bobby Chinn in Hanoi and his profile quickly rose on the culinary scene. Over his career, he has cooked for a number of personalities, including Bill Clinton in 2011 and Bob Dylan on his Asian Tour. In 2013, Bobby moved to London to open his new restaurant, the House of Ho. In his book on Vietnamese Food, Chef Anthony Bourdain described him as “an international man of mystery” and “what Bobby doesn’t know about Southeast Asian food isn’t worth knowing”.
At Anantara Veli Resort, where part of the focus is on achieving a healthy balanced lifestyle, Chef Bobby will indulge guests with the wonders of his dishes that bring a mix of global ingredients and sustainable choices to a fine dining level. “The team at Anantara Veli is tremendously excited to welcome Bobby Chin to the resort and we are particularly excited that he will be working with our resident Ayurveda doctor from our Sundari Ayurvdic Spa. Together they will create a brand new addition to the Anantara Spice Spoons Cooking Class series, focusing purely on Ayurveda cuisine. This collaboration takes healthy eating to a whole different level and fits our luxury offering, with some items being incorporated to our daily culinary choices.” says Anantara Veli General Manager Coetzer Deysel.

Among the signature dishes showcasing just why Bobby Chinn is a master of combining flavours into new dishes, the six-course menu served on May 11 will include Oyster brûlée, sake sabayon, Foie Gras wrapped Fig Port Jus, Sake steamed lobster risotto, Seared Scallops braised with edamame truffle pea jus and a Rack of Lamb with Asian Ratatouille. Additionally, a menu of the finest spirits and wines will be selected by Anantara’s Wine Guru and Executive Chef Walter Butti to complement the exclusive Fine Dining Lovers event.
“As part of our ongoing partnership with Anantara, collaborating with the skilled and entertaining chef Bobby Chinn on healthy cuisine, fine dining and bringing him to the luxury resort surroundings of Anantara is a perfect match for S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna. It will be a unique Fine Dining Lovers event in the Maldives that really highlights how healthy cuisine can be indulgent too”, says Filippo Cassabgi, Area Manager for San Pellegrino.
Available to guests at Anantara Veli Resort, Anantara Dhigu Resort and Nalahdu Maldives, as well as those staying at other resorts near South Male Atoll, this month’s one-of-a-kind offering priced at USD 165++ per person for the dinner on May 11, including wine pairing, can be booked by calling Anantara Reservations directly at +960 66 44 1111.
Drink
Baros Maldives welcomes Italian winemaker Maria Stella for exclusive wine dinner
There is something special about discovering a place through its wines. This November, Baros Maldives invites guests to experience a taste of Tuscany with an exclusive wine dinner celebrating the heritage and craftsmanship of Poliziano, hosted by third-generation winemaker Maria Stella.
Set against the beautiful ocean backdrop of The Lighthouse Restaurant, the intimate evening will take place on Sunday 29 November 2026, at 7 pm, bringing together fine wines, thoughtfully prepared cuisine and the pleasure of sharing a table.
Founded in 1961 by Dino Carletti in Montepulciano, Tuscany, Poliziano has long been guided by a deep connection to its land and the traditions of its region. Its name reflects both its Tuscan home and a tribute to Renaissance poet Angelo Ambrogini, known as Poliziano. Over the decades, the winery has remained true to its origins, producing wines that speak of their landscape, heritage and the people behind them.
Leading the evening, Maria Stella will share the story of Poliziano through a selection of its wines, offering guests a personal perspective on the family’s winemaking heritage and the philosophy that continues to shape the estate.
Each wine will be accompanied by a specially created dinner course, with pairings designed to bring out the character of both the glass and the plate.
Limited to just 16 guests, the dinner is intended to be as much about the company and conversation as it is about the wines themselves. An evening to slow down, discover something new and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food and wine in wonderful surroundings.
The experience is priced at USD 235 per guest, inclusive of the specially curated dinner menu and wine pairings. Advance reservations are essential, with seating limited to 16 guests.
Event Details:
- Date: Sunday 29 November 2026
- Time: 7 pm
- Venue: The Lighthouse Restaurant, Baros Maldives
For booking enquiries, please contact reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672.
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.
Drink
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi announces exclusive wine Dinner with Hunter’s Wines
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will host an exclusive Hunter’s Wine Dinner on Monday, 16 November 2026, inviting guests to experience an evening of fine wine, thoughtful gastronomy and personal storytelling from one of Marlborough’s pioneering family-owned wineries.
The evening will be hosted by James Macdonald, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Winemaker at Hunter’s Wines, alongside Chelsea Macdonald and sommelier Khail van Niekerk of Grape Expectations Maldives.
Part of the founding family, James holds a degree in Oenology and Viticulture from Lincoln University and has completed several vintages overseas. Today, he helps lead Hunter’s Wines while preserving the winery’s signature Marlborough character and guiding its continued evolution.
Founded in 1979 by Ernie and Jane Hunter, Hunter’s is Marlborough’s oldest independent winery under continuous family ownership. Its internationally recognized wines reflect more than four decades of winemaking expertise, innovation and respect for the land.
For this special occasion, the culinary team at V Villas Maldives at Mirihi will present a curated menu designed to complement a selection of Hunter’s wines. The featured collection is expected to include MiruMiru sparkling wine, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer, guiding guests through the diversity and distinctive character of Marlborough.
Throughout the dinner, James will share the stories behind the wines, the Hunter family journey and the winemaking philosophy that has helped establish Marlborough as one of the world’s most celebrated wine regions.
“V Villas Maldives at Mirihi is committed to creating memorable experiences that connect our guests with exceptional personalities, craftsmanship and stories from around the world. We are delighted to welcome James and Chelsea Macdonald and to offer our guests an intimate discovery of Hunter’s Wines in the distinctive setting of Mirihi” said Mohamed Shareef, General Manager of V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection.
The event reflects the resort’s approach to experiential dining, where refined cuisine, a carefully curated wine programme and Mirihi’s intimate island atmosphere come together to create meaningful moments for guests.
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection is an intimate private-island resort in South Ari Atoll. Set amid a renowned house reef and surrounded by the natural beauty of the Maldives, the resort brings together contemporary island living, personalized service, distinctive culinary experiences and meaningful encounters inspired by the spirit of Mirihi.
The resort features 42 villas, two restaurants, AKOYA Sea Lounge, Mirihi Spa, a wine cellar offering more than 300 labels, and a collection of ocean, wellness and cultural experiences.
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