Food
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa’s Week of Gastronomic Bliss with Michelin Star Chef Bernd Bachofer and Winemaker Kai Schubert
JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa recently concluded its remarkable week of gastronomic excellence in collaboration with Michelin-starred Chef Bernd Bachofer and renowned winemaker Kai Schubert. This exclusive event, which took place from October 4 to October 8, brought together culinary enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs for an unforgettable experience.
Hailing from the distinguished Bachofer restaurant in Germany, Chef Bernd Bachofer’s culinary journey is a blend of French haute cuisine and diverse Asian influences. On the other hand, award-winning winemaker Kai ventured to New Zealand to establish the renowned boutique winery, Schubert Wines. Kai’s wines, including his iconic Pinot Noir, have consistently ranked among the finest in New Zealand, making him a true visionary in the world of oenology.
Guests at the resort were treated to a series of exclusive events, each offering a unique culinary and oenological journey:
Exclusive Collaboration with Kai Schubert at RIHA
The gastronomic week kicked off at RIHA, the new destination dining and private experience at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa. The menu featured a blend of exquisite ingredients, including gourmet products such as foie gras, scallops, lobster, and wagyu beef, all paired with selected Schubert wines, and was personally hosted by the visionary winemaker himself.

Michelin Star Dinners, hosted by Chef Bernd Bachofer and Kai Schubert
The highlight of the week was on October 5 and 6, when guests were treated to an exceptional dining experience featuring a limited-time menu crafted by Michelin-starred Chef Bernd Bachofer and winemaker Kai Schubert. From langoustines in tempura batter with Thai basil gel and pak choi to scallops with Japanese hollandaise and shiitake dim sum and Wagyu short ribs with green curry, smoked potato cream, and yuzu melon, each dish was expertly paired with wine varieties selected by Kai Schubert.
Private Masterclass and Wine Tasting with Kai Schubert
On October 7, guests had the opportunity to participate in a private masterclass with winemaker Kai Schubert. This was an opportunity to delve into the art of winemaking and appreciate the nuances of his exceptional wine production.
Mohit Dembla, Resort Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa, expressed his excitement, saying, “We are delighted to have hosted this collaboration between Michelin-starred chef Bernd Bachofer and winemaker Kai Schubert. It was a week filled with gastronomic excellence and fine wines, and I’m sure it left our guests with unforgettable memories.”
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.
-
Action1 week agoW Maldives welcomes Olympic badminton champion Wang Chi-Lin for exclusive coaching experience
-
Action1 week agoCROSSROADS Maldives welcomes international padel stars for historic women’s tournament
-
Awards1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi shortlisted for family and sustainability honours at Luxury Lifestyle Magazine Awards
-
News1 week agoMaldives-born wellness brand ELE|NA celebrates 11 years of operations
-
Cooking1 week agoSirru Fen Fushi welcomes back Chef Tristan Brandt for exclusive festive dining experiences
-
Featured7 days agoSix Senses Laamu unveils 17 new overwater villas across four categories
-
Featured7 days agoKandooma Maldives unveils ‘Pirates’ Festive Adventure’ for Christmas and New Year
-
Featured1 week agoAngsana Velavaru brings island-inspired celebrations to Christmas and New Year


