Cooking
Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives launches ‘Pesto, Pistou’ Mediterranean menu
Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives has launched a new global menu, ‘Pesto, Pistou’, bringing its international guests and local residents flavours from the Mediterranean.
Marking another gastronomic triumph for a brand synonymous with culinary excellence for more than 70 years, the expert chefs at Mövenpick’s resort in the Maldives have perfected a new and innovative range of pesto’s (Italian) and pistous (French) to create seven experimental dishes, available at Latitude 5.5 throughout October.
“Whilst our guests and our local fans love to return for their favourite classic Mövenpick dishes, we always seek to surprise and delight with innovative seasonal offerings, or special food-related events. We are certain that our Pesto, Pistou menu will excite the palates of even the most experimental foodies whilst providing a fitting send-off to summer with a tribute to the flavours that conjure up the Mediterranean sun and sea,” Maciej Gruszecki, General Manager at Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
Chef Deden Permana, who heads the culinary team at Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, will lead the kitchen in preparing the ‘Pesto, Pistou’ based dishes. These two classic European sauces are both based on the aromatic herb, basil, which is harvested in late summer.


Savoury favourites will include seared Ahi Tuna with olive, and eggplant pesto and seafood soup with tarragon pistou. For dessert, a sweet treat with a real difference – Bundt cake with chocolate-mint pesto, served alongside a frothy Mövenpick Espresso.
“We are excited to work with these luscious basil-based sauces, introducing them to guests in ways they have not likely experienced before,” Chef Deden, Executive Sous Chef at Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“The seasonality of using pesto and pistou is important to us, as basil is traditionally harvested in late summer and preserved into these rich, oil-based sauces that are full of colour, flavour, and healthy omega-3s – perfect for brightening up our cuisine, and our spirits, amidst the cooling weather.”


Pesto and pistou are two versions of a flavourful sauce based on basil, olive oil and cheese. Italian pesto, which originates in Genoa, the capital city of Liguria, Italy, is blended from garlic, basil, pine nuts, grated pecorino cheese (or sometimes parmesan) and olive oil while its French cousin, pistou, is a Provençal cold sauce with similar ingredients, but without the pine nuts and with or without cheese.
Mövenpick’s versions add new surprising ingredients to the blend whilst preserving the essence of both Mediterranean speciality sauces to create seven pesto, pistou-inspired dishes:
- Ahi tuna with olive and eggplant pesto: pan-seared yellowfin tuna fillet with a modern interpretation of ratatouille, pine nuts and black tapenade.
- Seafood soup with tarragon pistou: a touch of tarragon and a unique blend of sweet aniseed and mild vanilla bring this speciality seafood dish to life.
- Tagliolini with walnut-basil pesto: walnuts replace pine nuts to create an imitable new pesto blend that is smooth, sweet and deliciously buttery.
- Black cod with pesto Rosso: accompanied by risotto, made from aged Acquerello rice to absorb every ingredient and flavour in full.
- Beef fillet with red cabbage pesto: a traditional winter vegetable, with a sweet edge gives this pesto dish punch.
- Corn-fed chicken breast with bell pepper pesto: with peas, snow peas, egg, a basmati rice galette and sublime bitter-sweet yellow-red pesto.
- Bundt cake with chocolate-mint pesto: a timeless German cake with a cool mint and rich chocolate pesto twist, served with a Mövenpick Espresso.

Nestled on a private island in the northern Noonu atoll, Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives promises serene seclusion and tropical tranquillity. The resort showcases a series of unique architectural features and distinctive design touches that complement the soothing natural surroundings.
Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives offers 105 luxury villas, all with their own private swimming pool. Whilst designed as a destination for relaxing and rejuvenating escapes offering a high degree of privacy, the contemporary tropical resort combines comfort and style whilst featuring an array of onsite recreational facilities to entertain a wide range of guests, from honeymooners to adventurous families.
Exquisite culinary experiences are a cornerstone of the Mövenpick experience and the new Maldivian resort offers five unique dining venues. Amongst these are a welcoming all-day dining restaurant, a speciality restaurant with sunset views, a seafood restaurant, a grill bar and private dining room for special occasions.
Enticing wellness and recreational facilities include a luxurious spa with 14 private treatment rooms. Other features include a tranquil yoga pavilion, a state of the art gym, water sports centre, volleyball and tennis courts. The resort will also have a business centre, library and retail boutique to further ensure guests enjoy a convenient and carefree stay.
Cooking
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa sets season of culinary experiences and island celebrations
Kuredhivaru Resort and Spa is set to welcome guests to a season of dining, family celebrations and island experiences, with a programme of events taking place from September through October.
The season begins with the Japanese Cocktail & Dining Experience on 26 September, featuring a six-course dinner inspired by the flavours of Japan and Peru. Guests can look forward to dishes including yellowfin tuna tartare, robata-grilled octopus, butter-poached lobster and slow-braised beef short rib, finished with a refreshing citrus dessert.

The dinner will be accompanied by cocktails created by award-winning Japanese bartender Norihiko Furuse, known for his creative and sustainable approach to mixology, bringing together Japanese spirits, seasonal fruits, local herbs and botanical ingredients.
On 3 October, Kuredhivaru will bring a taste of Germany to the Maldives with its annual Oktoberfest Celebration. Guests can enjoy Bavarian favourites including roast pork knuckle, beef goulash, German sausages, BBQ pork ribs and freshly baked pretzels, followed by classic desserts such as apple strudel, Black Forest cake and Bavarian cream. Live music and games will add to the festive atmosphere.

The celebrations continue with Halloween at Kuredhivaru from 30 to31 October, bringing two days of family-friendly activities, including Kids Club experiences, costume creations, the Rising Star Halloween Fashion Show, pumpkin carving, themed games, creative workshops and deliciously Halloween-inspired dining, and a few surprises lurking around every corner.

From the tiniest trick-or-treaters to grown-ups ready to join the fun, it’s Halloween island- style, full of imagination, laughter, sparkle and just the right amount of spooky!

With a mix of culinary experiences and seasonal celebrations, Kuredhivaru’s upcoming programme offers guests different ways to enjoy the island throughout the season.

For reservations or inquiries, guests are encouraged to contact the resort at Resort.Kuredhivaru.Reservations@ennismore.com or +960 656 3000.
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Patina Maldives welcomes global, Maldivian talent for latest ‘Perpetual Journey’
Transformative luxury retreat Patina Maldives, Fari Islands unveils a new stage of The Perpetual Journey, its ongoing programme of art, culture, wellness and conscious dining experiences. Highlights from August to November include acclaimed multidisciplinary artist Shezad Dawood’s inaugural Patina Art Residency, a junior football camp led by FC Bayern Munich coach Jonas Caryot and a three-day Diwali celebration bringing together chef Atul Kochhar, mixologist Giancarlo Mancino and DJ Sakré.
The Perpetual Journey is Patina’s evolving programme of experiences designed to inspire couples, families and solo travellers to embrace connection, growth, wellbeing and nourishment at their own pace through collaborations with global and local guest talent.
Aishath Shuaila – Art Gallery Malé Collaboration, 22 September – 10 October
Developed in partnership with Art Gallery Malé, the rolling creators in residence programme at Patina Maldives’ Fari Art Atelier provides an ongoing international platform for contemporary Maldivian artists.
Following the success of Ahmed Khaleel’s residency in June and Hassan Najih’s residency in July, Patina Maldives will collaborate with Aishath Shuaila as part of its commitment to nurturing and showcasing local talent. Rather than simply displaying her paintings, the Fari Art Atelier will become Aishath’s working studio during the residency, allowing guests to encounter her work and creative process through an open-studio format, alongside workshops and informal exchanges.
Drawing on her love for nature and background in sustainable development, Aishath’s signature style uses vivid colours and bold brushstrokes to represent the patterns and textures found in the natural world. The resulting works encourage viewers to better understand and appreciate Maldivian flora and fauna.

Patina Art Residency: Shezad Dawood, 18 October – 8 November
Winner of the inaugural Patina Art Residency, London-based multidisciplinary artist Shezad Dawoodwill undertake extended fieldwork at Patina Maldives, deepening his practice that connects art, science and environmental advocacy. With more than a decade spent in dialogue with marine biologists and environmentalist, Shezad will take this time to explore the island’s environment and marine ecology to create a piece of work shaped by the 2025 Theme, Fluid Worlds, which invites artists to examine how boundaries shift and change, whether between cultures, ideas or elements.

Bayern Munich Football Camp, 25 – 29 October
Designed for young players aged six to 17, this exclusive camp takes place across five days with FC Bayern Munich’s Coach Jonas Caryot, blending expert coaching, small-group sessions, and up to five hours of focused training every day. With two days reserved for rest, the camp offers participants a rare opportunity to refine their football skills in the island’s serene setting.

Yakido by Yardbird Hong Kong, 6 – 10 October
Hong Kong-based modern izakaya and bar Yardbird brings its travelling Yakido concept to Brasa for two nights alongside a week of pop-ups and collaborations, including ALWAYS FRIENDS BY ALWAYS JOY on October 8; a pop- up at Veli Bar with Max Levy’s pizza project, MR. IKO; and a series of strength and mobility movement sessions led by Lindsay Jang.

Moments of Connection: Diwali
Chef Atul Kochhar, 7 – 9 November
Widely recognised as a pioneering figure in Indian fine dining, Atul Kochhar is the first Indian chef to be awarded a Michelin star, receiving his first at Tamarind in 2001 and a second at Benares in 2007. With over 30 years in the culinary world, he brings a contemporary expression of India’s regional cuisine through bold flavours, refined technique and premium ingredients. For Diwali, Kochhar brings the culinary identity of Kanishka by Atul Kochhar, his acclaimed London restaurant, to Helios, presenting a special menu that reinterprets his signature contemporary Indian cuisine for the Maldivian setting.
Giancarlo Mancino
Internationally renowned bartender and the creative mind behind SeiBellissimi, a luxury sparkling bottled cocktail line, Giancarlo Mancino returns to Patina Maldives with a series of guest shifts and cocktail experiences.
Sakré
Bangalore-based producer, DJ and sound artist Sakré brings his genre-blurring approach to electronic music to Patina Maldives during Diwali. Drawing on ambient textures, lo-fi beats and South Indian cinematic influences, his immersive soundscapes offer a contemporary interpretation of India’s evolving music culture.
Patina Resonance: Visiting Practitioners
Jasmin Küster – Holistic Bodywork, 14 September – 14 October
Jasmin is a holistic therapist and aquatic bodyworker whose practice brings together Water Therapy, Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage, fascia-focused Somatic Bodywork and other specialised treatments to encourage deep relaxation, release tension and restore balance between body, mind and emotions. Her approach focuses on deep relaxation, release and greater connection with the body, with each experience adapted to the individual.

Minako Saito – Japanese Wellness Innovator and Founder of Platinum Ritual Series, 15 October – 15 November
Minako Saito specialises in Japanese thermal therapy and women’s wellness counselling. She is the founder of the Platinum Ritual Series, a holistic treatment collection designed to calm the nervous system, encourage deep relaxation and restore inner balance. Each ritual combines gentle, deep-reaching warmth with therapeutic techniques to support harmony between body and mind. Guests can choose between rituals promoting relaxation and restorative sleep, a neuro-relaxing facial ritual, or women’s wellness-focused rituals that support hormonal balance, nervous system regulation, pelvic wellbeing and hip mobility.

Thalia Jones – Breathwork Practitioner and Holistic Therapist, 15 December – 15 January 2027
Thalia Jones returns to Patina Maldives, working with guests on personal transformation with her rounded approach that integrates the mind, body and soul. Through guided breathwork and holistic therapies, Thalia creates space for guests to pause, reconnect and develop a greater awareness of body and breath.

To book, email reservations.maldives@patinahotels.com, tel. +960 4000555, or visit patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islands.
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Soneva reveals star-studded calendar of residencies through end of 2026
Soneva has unveiled the latest Soneva Stars calendar, seeing out the year with a line-up spanning space, sport, gastronomy, craftsmanship and wellbeing. Across Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret, guests are invited to train, learn and interact with remarkable personalities who have spent their careers at the top of their fields.
Among the year’s headline residences is Tim Peake, the first British ESA astronaut to visit the International Space Station. Peake will host talks, interactive sessions and stargazing experiences at Soneva Fushi from 19 to 29 December, sharing insights from his extraordinary career in space exploration beneath some of the clearest night skies on Earth.
The sporting calendar will welcome a series of internationally recognised athletes. A Premier League record goalscorer and former Manchester United striker, Andy Cole will lead football sessions from 25 October to 1 November, while former world No. 8 Marcos Baghdatis (25 October to 5 November) and current ATP star Karen Khachanov (12 to 22 November) will host tennis clinics and coaching experiences, giving guests a rare chance to train with players who have competed at the sport’s highest level. In September, Olympic medallist and world champion decathlete Leo Neugebauer will lead a session at Soneva Fushi’s outdoor gym as part of his residency.


In the world of wellbeing, Sarah Chapman, the facialist whose client list reads like a who’s who of the beauty world, will bring her treatments to Soneva Secret from 27 October to 5 November, offering guests the kind of skin expertise usually reserved for a waiting list.

The culinary programme features acclaimed chefs including Chantelle Nicholson (22 October to 6 November), known for her ingredient-led cooking and commitment to sustainable gastronomy, and champions of elevated Scandinavian dining, Niclas Jönsson (22 October to 6 November) and Fiskebar’s Jamie Lee (14 to 26 December), who will present special experiences throughout the season.

The Soneva Stars calendar runs even deeper. Astronomers Dr James Gilbert and Dr Lars Lindberg Christensen amplify the resorts’ celestial programme, while glass artists Adam Holtzinger and Susan Špiranović lead a residency at Soneva Fushi’s glass studio. Enhancing the wellbeing offering, guests can work with osteopath Hortensia Corredoira, East Asian healing specialist Alexander Scrimgeour, performance coach JP Liendi, Bodyism’s Nathalie Schyllert and wellbeing expert Richie Norton, alongside football freestyler Marcel Gurk, across residencies running through to the end of the year.

“The most memorable moments unfold through the power of human connection,” said Neil Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Soneva. “With Soneva Stars, our guests train with Andy Cole, sit with Tim Peake to find out what it’s truly like up there and get a fresh taste of the ocean’s bounty with Jamie Lee. These experiences spark conversations and memories that stay with them long after they leave.”
No two Soneva Stars seasons are ever the same. Each residency is an expression of Just What Matters: meaningful connections, new perspectives and moments of genuine wonder and discovery.
Guests can explore the full Soneva Stars calendar to book remarkable experiences.
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