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
Tea meets tradition: The Art of Tea cocktail collection debuts at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo

In celebration of World Cocktail Day (May 13), Mercure Maldives Kooddoo has introduced ‘The Art of Tea,’ a curated menu of tea-infused cocktails crafted in collaboration with Art of Tea, the award-winning luxury tea brand founded by renowned Master Tea Blender and CEO Steve Schwartz.
This exclusive menu seamlessly blends organic small-batch teas with premium spirits and island-inspired ingredients, offering guests a slow, sensory cocktail experience.
Art of Tea is internationally recognised for its dedication to organic sourcing, sustainable practices, and hand-blended selections that honour both ancient traditions and modern wellness principles. While its teas are available throughout the day at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo, the new cocktail collection adds a fresh layer of discovery.
Steve Schwartz, Founder and Master Tea Blender at Art of Tea, explained, “At Art of Tea, we believe in the transformative power of tea. Bringing our handcrafted blends into the cocktail experience at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo is an invitation for guests to explore tea in a new, sensory way — where tradition meets innovation in every sip.”
Tea-based cocktails are not merely a twist on the familiar; they represent a transformation. The inclusion of tea introduces natural complexity, depth of flavour, and subtle health benefits, resulting in drinks that are both sophisticated and refreshing. Each blend offers unique tasting notes, ranging from floral to smoky, spicy to citrusy, balancing seamlessly with spirits and house-made syrups.
Featured Cocktails from The Art of Tea Menu
- Coco Bloom – White coconut tea, rum, Malibu, coconut and strawberry syrup, lemon juice
- Velvet Noir – Dark chocolate peppermint tea, vodka, triple sec, mojito syrup, lemon
- Sunrise Spiritz – Bright Eyed tea, gin, triple sec, lemon juice, sugar syrup
- Masala Mule – Masala chai tea, Armagnac, triple sec, sugar syrup, lemon
- Mint Mirage – Pacific Mint tea, beer, blue curaçao, mojito syrup, lemon
- Grey Royale – Earl Grey tea, whisky, cucumber and mojito syrup, lemon juice
Whether guests are sipping Velvet Noir at sunset, enjoying Coco Bloom under the palms, or winding down the day with Earl Grey and whisky, The Art of Tea menu offers an elegant way to pause, reflect, and experience something new, all with the Indian Ocean as a backdrop.
Cooking
Ifuru Island Maldives’ Social House introduces authentic Indian Thali experience

Ifuru Island Maldives has unveiled its newest culinary journey: the Indian Thali at Social House. This signature dining experience pays homage to the vibrant flavours, diversity, and cultural warmth of Indian cuisine, reimagined in the heart of the Maldives.
Inspired by Ayurveda’s Six Taste Theory, the Indian Thali is designed to provide a perfectly balanced meal that nourishes both body and soul. Guests can savour an array of authentic dishes that reflect India’s culinary soul, presented with the modern flair and island elegance that define Ifuru Island.

The Thali includes a generous spread of delights such as Jhinga Laziz, Butter Chicken, Boti Masala, Dal Makhani, Palak Paneer, Chana Masala, Tomato Rasam, served alongside Jeera Rice, Paratha, Mango Chutney, Masala Onion, Papadum, and a decadent Gulab Jamun Cheesecake.
“Crafting this Indian Thali has been a labour of love,” says Nadedja Bouacha, Executive Chef at Ifuru Island Maldives. “Each element is carefully prepared to honour India’s diverse culinary heritage while offering our guests a rich, comforting, and authentic experience in a setting as extraordinary as our island.”
The Indian Thali is now available at Social House, the resort’s popular dining venue known for blending global flavors with local flair and laid-back luxury.
Whether you’re a fan of Indian cuisine or a first-time explorer, the Indian Thali at Ifuru Island is a celebration of culture, taste, and mindful eating.
Drink
Sip of Stellenbosch at RAAYA and VARU by Atmosphere

This August, travellers to the Maldives can indulge their senses in more ways than one. At the idyllic island resorts of RAAYA by Atmosphere and VARU by Atmosphere, wine lovers and wine curious are invited to savour a taste of South Africa’s famed winemaking heritage with Glenelly Estate.
The immersive wine events will take place from 10th to 12th August at RAAYA by Atmosphere and from 14th to 16th August at VARU by Atmosphere. All experiences are complimentary on pre-booking for in-house guests as part of the fully inclusive RAAYA Plan and VARU Plan.
Founder of Glenelly Estate, the legendary Madame May de Lencquesaing, affectionately known as Lady May, marked her centenary on 17th May 2025, celebrating a remarkable century of life, legacy, and reinvention. Many would consider an 80-year-old setting off to establish a winery in South Africa a bold, even audacious move. For Lady May, it was simply the next step. She purchased Glenelly Estate, a historic fruit farm nestled on the slopes of the Simonsberg and transformed it into a beacon of French winemaking tradition with a South African soul. Her philosophy of producing wines of grace, complexity, and longevity has earned Glenelly global recognition. The estate’s wines are poured exclusively at Atmosphere Core resorts in the Maldives, as part of a longstanding partnership and shared vision.
In a fitting tribute, her winemaking vision lives on well beyond the vineyards of Stellenbosch. Glenelly Estate returns to the Maldives with a series of exclusive in-resort wine experiences hosted by Dirk van Zyl, the Cellar Master and vineyard custodian. Raised on a vineyard in South Africa’s Robertson Wine Valley, Dirk combines a deep-rooted passion for the land with a degree in Viticulture and Oenology from Stellenbosch University. His background brings a refined understanding of terroir and craftsmanship to every session he leads.
“Wine is unique, as it truly tells a story of time and place,” shares Dirk. “It reflects both the vintage in which it was made and the site on which the vineyards are grown. As a winemaker, you try your best to capture this as truthfully as possible in the bottle and one of the greatest joys is to be able to share each wine’s story with people from around the world. The upcoming wine events create a wonderful opportunity to tell the story of Glenelly, through our wines, in the incredible beauty of the Maldives”.
In addition to hosting guest-facing events, Dirk will lead specialist workshops and blind tastings for the resorts’ award-winning culinary teams. These sessions are designed to build deeper wine knowledge and empower colleagues to confidently guide every guest, whether a seasoned connoisseur or an eager novice, through the Glenelly experience.
Nicolas Laguette, Director of Wines at Atmosphere Core, adds “It’s not just about great bottles, it’s about celebrating heritage and terroir in ways that are approachable and memorable. And this is possible only through our relationships with partners, like Glenelly Estate, who share our vision. Together we’re transforming our islands sanctuaries in the Maldives into unexpected yet exceptional destinations for wine discovery”.
The initiative is part of Atmosphere Core’s ongoing wine program inspired by its Joy of Giving ethos. Since its debut in 2021 with the ultra-luxury brand THE OZEN COLLECTION, the program has expanded across the group’s brand portfolio. In 2023, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts and COLOURS OF OBLU joined hands with Glenelly Estate and Spain’s Bodegas Martín Códax, followed by a 2025 partnership with Italy’s Bottega SpA.
Whether you’re toasting the sunset with a glass of Lady May or exploring tasting notes during a moonlit dinner, this August promises a unique blend of culinary delights, storytelling, and island charm.
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