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LUX* South Ari Atoll hosts Super Chef competition to select team for Hotel Asia culinary challenge
Chefs at LUX* South Ari Atoll showcased their skills on Sunday as they once again competed for a chance to represent the resort at the upcoming Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge.
Titled LUX* Super Chef 2018, 10 chefs contested in the Hot Cold Kitchen category while two participated in the Pastry Kitchen category. Participants include Chef De Partie Mazanur Rahman, Commis I Junaddy Petrus, Chef De Partie Deanna Danisa Naidoo, Demi Chef De Partie Welmore Rolex Menguillo, Chef De Partie Marlon Clement Harridge, Chef De Partie Dinesh M Gunarathna M. Mudiyanselage, Commis I Ananda Setiawan, Commis I Parvesh Bisht, Commis I Sanatha Kumara Meegoda Kankanamga, Commis I Ravindra Singha Rana, Chef De Partie Jobelle Duejada Dela Roca, and Commis II Krishna Prasad Pandey.

Participants of LUX* Super Chef 2018 competition. PHOTO/ LUX*
Chef Krishna Prasad Pandey, whose dish also fetched the special Jury’s Award, was crowned the champion. Chef Dinesh M. Gunarathna M. Mudiyanselage secured the second spot as well as the Most Creative Award conferred by the jury, while Chef Welmore Rolex Menguillo finished third.
In addition to the chance to represent LUX* South Ari Atoll at the Hotel Asia International Culinary Challenge in September, the three were presented with cash prizes from the resort’s management as well as gifts such as tablets and smartphones from suppliers.
During the second edition of LUX* Super Chef competition held at the overwater East Market restaurant, contestants in the Hot Cold Kitchen category were given a black box containing 10 compulsory ingredients, including salmon, scallops, fennel seeds, tenderloin, cauliflower and potato amongst others, for the starter and the main course. For the contestants in the Pastry Kitchen category, compulsory ingredients for the dessert consisted of white chocolate, cream cheese, passion fruit, vanilla and sweet paprika powder, while they were allowed to use any ingredient of their choosing to make the bread.

A contestant during the LUX* Super Chef 2018 competition. PHOTO/ LUX*
All the contestants were given three and a half hours to plan, prepare and cook their two courses, with each asked to produce four plates per course; two for blind judging, one for the show table and one for the chef’s judging.
In addition to two chefs in the kitchen who analysed cooking techniques, hygiene and work flow on the spot, an eight-member judging panel was presented with the final dishes for blind judging based on taste, texture and presentation.

Jury members evaluate the dishes prepared during LUX* Super Chef 2018 competition. PHOTO/ LUX*

Jury members evaluate the dishes prepared during LUX* Super Chef 2018 competition. PHOTO/ LUX*
At the closing ceremony, General Manager Jonas Amstad hailed the enthusiasm shown by the team to successfully organise the competition for the second year. He stressed on the need to continuously improve individual skills of each team member.
“We are pleased to have hosted this event setting a benchmark for our group and other properties. We aim to take this to a higher level next year in which both properties of LUX* in the Maldives will participate. Our team is happy to share their talents. We will be sending the winners of this event to the Asia Culinary Challenge in August 2018,” Jonas said.

General Manager Jonas Amstad (R) poses for a photo with one of the winners of LUX* Super Chef 2018 competition. PHOTO/ LUX*
This year’s edition of the Hotel Asia exhibition is scheduled to be held from September 10-12 with the culinary challenge taking place from September 9-12 at the main Dharubaaruge convention centre in capital Male. The culinary challenge has established itself as the premier culinary event in the Maldives, attracting chefs from local and international resorts whose work and creativity are evaluated by experts, including celebrated chefs from the world over.
Cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane flight away from the main Velana International Airport, making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resorts in the Maldives.
With 187 private villas dotted at the water’s edge along four kilometres of powder fine beach or perched on stilts above a crystal clear lagoon, these spacious pavilions and villas bring an entirely original vibe of coastal, beach house chic to the Maldives.
Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX*, and at LUX* South Ari Atoll, there is authentic South East Asian street food in the Maldives’ only over-the-water gourmet night market and world-class Chinese cuisine at East, along with the Japanese restaurant Umami, which offers live teppanyaki and dazzling selection of sakés.
While the resort has a PADI-certified dive centre, two infinity pools, a floodlit tennis court, a fitness centre and a renowned spa which hosts a wellness concierge and a menu of indulgent treatments, what sets the property apart from its neighbours are surprises, or better known as #ReasonstogoLUX. Designed to create lasting memories for guests, these ‘reasons’ can range from island-roasted coffee in Café LUX* to impromptu movie screenings at cinema paradise and the chance to hang your wishes on the Tree of Wishes.
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Michelin-starred Chef Karim Khouani to lead culinary residency at Sirru Fen Fushi
Sirru Fen Fushi–Private Lagoon Resort, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, continues its celebrated Sirru Icons Series with an exclusive culinary residency by acclaimed French chef Karim Khouani from 28 to 30 October 2026.
Chef Karim, a two-time Michelin-starred chef and recipient of four Falstaff forks, is recognised as one of the most exciting figures in contemporary Nordic gastronomy. Born in Marseille and now based in Copenhagen, where he is the owner and creative force behind Restaurant Texture, Karim has built an international reputation for combining the elegance of French haute cuisine with the purity, seasonality, and restraint of Nordic cooking.
Drawing on more than three decades of fine-dining experience and a career that has taken him through some of Europe’s most respected Michelin-starred kitchens, Chef Karim’s culinary philosophy is rooted in exceptional ingredients, technical precision, and a deep respect for flavour. His distinctive style, shaped by French, Mediterranean, and Nordic influences, has earned him recognition among discerning diners and critics alike.
Set within the tranquil surroundings of Sirru Fen Fushi’s natural island and one of the Maldives’ largest natural lagoons, the residency offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the cuisine of a celebrated Michelin-starred chef in an intimate and inspiring setting.

Six-Course Four Hands Dinner with Chef Karim Khouani and Chef Girish Sharma
On 28 October 2026, Chef Karim Khouani will join Sirru Fen Fushi’s Executive Chef Girish Sharma for an exclusive Six-Course Four Hands Dinner at Azure Restaurant.
Bringing together Chef Karim’s refined French-Nordic culinary philosophy with Chef Sharma’s globally inspired approach, the evening will showcase a carefully curated tasting menu celebrating craftsmanship, creativity, and exceptional ingredients. Set within Azure’s elegant overwater surroundings, guests will embark on a gastronomic journey that highlights the unique perspectives of both chefs through a series of beautifully composed dishes.

Chef Karim Khouani’s Signature Four-Course Dinner
On 30 October 2026, guests will have the opportunity to experience Chef Karim’s celebrated culinary style through an exclusive Four-Course Signature Dinner at Azure.
Thoughtfully designed to reflect his distinctive approach to contemporary gastronomy, the menu will showcase the harmonious balance between French culinary heritage and Nordic simplicity. Each course will highlight carefully selected ingredients, refined techniques, and the artistic presentation that have become hallmarks of Chef Karim’s cuisine.

As part of the Sirru Icons Series, the residency reflects Sirru Fen Fushi’s commitment to bringing internationally acclaimed talent to the Maldives, creating meaningful experiences that connect guests with exceptional people, cultures, and ideas.
Surrounded by white sandy beaches, vibrant marine life, and the natural beauty of Shaviyani Atoll, Sirru Fen Fushi offers a distinctive blend of luxury, discovery, and authentic island experiences. Chef Karim Khouani’s residency promises an unforgettable celebration of gastronomy in one of the Maldives’ most inspiring destinations.
For further information and reservations, please visit sirrufenfushi.com or contact reservations@sirrufenfushi.com.
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Chef Jake Norman and Molly O’Donoghue join Niva Dhigali for November programme
Niva Dhigali Maldives will welcome visiting chef Jake Norman and British pickleball champion Molly O’Donoghue for a curated programme of island experiences this November, bringing together dining and active wellbeing in the Maldives.
Norman began his culinary career making pizza in the markets of Guadalajara, Mexico, before working in several London restaurants, including St John, Ottolenghi and Sabor. He now leads the kitchen at Updown Farmhouse in Kent, where his cooking focuses on seasonal ingredients, live-fire techniques and Mediterranean influences.
On 18 November, Norman will host an exclusive dinner at Faru, presenting a menu that combines Mediterranean flavours with influences from Mexico and the Middle East, while incorporating ingredients sourced from the Maldives.
The shared dining experience will feature Indian Ocean produce, grilled dishes and smoky flavours, with a menu designed to reflect the setting and encourage guests to dine at a relaxed pace.
The programme will also include pickleball sessions hosted by British champion Molly O’Donoghue. A national champion in mixed and women’s doubles, as well as a European champion in mixed doubles, O’Donoghue first discovered the sport while studying in Australia. She has since competed internationally and worked to introduce the sport to players around the world.
At Niva Dhigali, O’Donoghue will conduct beginner sessions and advanced coaching, giving guests of different skill levels the opportunity to learn, play and develop their technique.
Located in Raa Atoll, Niva Dhigali Maldives is surrounded by tropical vegetation, a lagoon and the Indian Ocean. The November programme, featuring Norman’s dining experience and O’Donoghue’s pickleball sessions, forms part of the resort’s approach to offering guest experiences centred on food, wellbeing and the island environment.
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Where every meal becomes a memory at Machchafushi Island Resort
At Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives by The Centara Collection, dining extends far beyond the restaurant. It unfolds as a sensory journey where place, flavour and emotion come together in perfect harmony. Surrounded by the shimmering waters of South Ari Atoll, every shoreline, every sunset and every tranquil stretch of sand becomes part of an immersive culinary landscape, shaped by the rhythm and beauty of the island.

Here, dining is reimagined as a collection of deeply personal encounters. From the romance of The Love Hut and the serenity of a shoreline champagne breakfast to the barefoot elegance of a private beach dinner beneath the stars, each experience has been thoughtfully created to celebrate meaningful moments in extraordinary surroundings.

While each occasion offers its own distinct character, together they form a seamless expression of the Machchafushi experience. Cuisine responds naturally to its setting, evolving with the changing light, the gentle ocean breeze and the atmosphere of each moment. Every detail is carefully considered, creating experiences that feel effortless, authentic and impossible to replicate elsewhere.

The Shoreline Breakfast welcomes the day with quiet celebration, where the ocean sets the pace and simplicity becomes the ultimate expression of island living. Intimate beachfront dining offers a more secluded experience, where refined cuisine is paired with the natural beauty of the shoreline and the gentle rhythm of the ocean. The Barefoot Beach Dinner embraces understated elegance, where exquisite dishes are enjoyed with the softness of sand beneath your feet and the stars overhead. At The Love Hut, thoughtfully curated dining becomes part of life’s most meaningful milestones, creating memories that linger long after the moment has passed.

Across every experience, the culinary philosophy remains beautifully consistent. Menus are intentionally refined and understated, allowing the setting, the occasion and the company to remain at the heart of each encounter. Every dish is designed to complement its surroundings rather than compete with them, creating a style of dining elevated through simplicity, authenticity and a genuine sense of place.

Together, these experiences define the essence of Machchafushi. They blur the boundaries between dining, celebration and island living, where every meal becomes part of a larger story shaped by nature and heartfelt hospitality. Here, the ocean is more than a backdrop; it is an integral part of the experience, influencing every flavour, every atmosphere and every lasting memory.
More than a collection of dining experiences, this is the spirit of Machchafushi expressed through cuisine. A destination where exceptional food, breathtaking surroundings and meaningful moments come together effortlessly, inviting every guest to become part of an unforgettable island story.
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