Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, the flagship resort within Sun Siyam’s Luxury Collection portfolio in the Maldives, has announced an exclusive culinary collaboration with acclaimed Michelin Star French Chef Maye Cissoko this July. In celebration of Bastille Day, the resort will host two exceptional dining experiences under the theme “Art of the Chef”, taking place on 22 and 27 July, where refined gastronomy, fine wine, and refined living come together.

Chef Maye is the chef and owner of the historic 105-year-old Maison Burnel in the Vosges region of France, which he beautifully renovated and earn a Michelin star just six months later. The chef, an alumnus of the prestigious Institut Paul Bocuse, brings experience to the island including his time with the renowned Barrière Group. The chef loves seasonality, fresh sourcing, and à la minute cooking. His menus heavily feature territorial, rustic elements from the Vosges like wild mushrooms, and local herbs paired with highly refined execution.

Working in harmony with the resort’s Executive Chef, Putu Wijana, he will present two distinguished evenings of fine wine pairings, featuring one of his favourite ingredients, fresh scallops.

• Art of the Chef, Cellar Dinner | Wednesday, 22 July | Cellar Dining at Flavours: An intimate, refined evening of gastronomy at the resort’s newly renovated French restaurant. The menu features Scallop Carpaccio with leek essence and pike roe, Spider Crab with smoked haddock espuma, local reef fish enhanced with caviar and katsuobushi sauce, and a delicate French strawberry tartlet.
• Art of the Chef, Sublime Festin | Monday, 27 July | Elevated Beachside Dining at Islander’s Grill: A sophisticated beachfront experience showcasing scallops in a green herb and truffle crust, Maldivian sea bass gravlax, local lobster with vegetable ravioli and artichoke purée served with a slow-simmered seafood bisque, and a decadent Guanaja chocolate entremet with mango-lime chutney.

The resident sommelier, Sunil Kumar, will feature exceptional wines from diverse regions of France, thoughtfully selected to pair with each dish.

This prestigious collaboration highlights Sun Siyam Iru Fushi’s commitment to elevating the culinary experiences across its 15 restaurants and bars. Chef Maye will work alongside the resort’s Executive Chef, Putu Wijana, who brings 26 years of global luxury brand experience to lead the resort’s continued culinary evolution.

“Partnering with Chef Maye Cissoko allows us to weave the timeless precision of French gastronomy into our kitchens. These exclusive menus have been meticulously curated to reflect our deep commitment to offering a refined guest experience. Following the residency, selected signature dishes will also be integrated into our menus, giving future guests the opportunity to savour these exceptional creations,” highlighted Executive Chef Putu Wijana.

InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to celebrate Eid al-Adha on 27 May 2026 with a thoughtfully curated collection of island experiences inspired by togetherness, reflection, wellbeing, and celebration. Set against the serene backdrop of the Indian Ocean, the resort’s Eid programme embraces the spirit of the occasion through beachfront dining, wellness journeys, artistic expression, and family moments designed for guests of all ages.

The evening’s celebrations will feature a special Management Cocktail at Café Umi Beach, welcoming guests to gather for sunset refreshments and relaxed island conversations by the shore. As the evening unfolds, guests may continue the celebration with the Arabian BBQ Beach Dinner, an atmospheric beachfront dining experience featuring Arabian-inspired flavours accompanied by live music, DJ entertainment, and a captivating fire performance beneath the stars.

For guests seeking moments of restoration and mindful wellbeing during the Eid holiday, AVI Spa will present a series of personalised wellness experiences led by visiting practitioner Dr Afsana Aradhana Ghyas. Designed to encourage balance, relaxation, and inner calm, the tailored holistic therapies offer a meaningful opportunity for guests to reconnect and recharge within the tranquillity of the island setting. Guests may also enjoy a complimentary 30-minute massage with selected facial or body therapy experiences throughout the celebration period.

Adding a creative dimension to the celebrations, the resort will also host a resin art experience inspired by ocean textures and Eid traditions. From live artistic showcases to interactive workshops, guests will have the opportunity to create handcrafted keepsakes reflecting the beauty and spirit of the occasion.

Families celebrating Eid at the resort can also look forward to a variety of island activities throughout the day, including a Middle Eastern breakfast experience, afternoon tea, beach games, and a special Eid pajama party for younger guests at Planet Trekkers.

Located in the heart of Raa Atoll, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is the Maldives’ first and only all-Club InterContinental resort, offering elevated island experiences through personalised service, curated dining, wellness, and meaningful family moments.

Set within the pristine waters of South Ari Atoll, Machchafushi Island Resort & Spa Maldives by The Centara Collection invites travellers into a world where culture, flavour and place come together in effortless harmony. This is an island shaped by authenticity, where the natural rhythm of the Maldives meets the warmth and elegance of Thai hospitality.

At the heart of the island, a new culinary chapter unfolds at Suan Bua, where the resort unveils a menu that feels as much like a journey as it does a meal. Here, Thai heritage is not simply presented, but expressed through layers of aroma, texture and flavour. Recipes rooted in tradition come alive with a renewed sense of place, reflecting Centara’s origins while embracing the spirit of the Maldives. Each dish carries a natural sense of balance and generosity, inviting guests to experience Thai hospitality in its most evocative and immersive

Here, the story unfolds through the senses. The fragrance of lemongrass and kaffir lime leaf lingers in the air, chilli adds warmth and depth, while citrus lifts each dish with brightness. This harmony of sweet, sour, salty and spice is the foundation of Thai cuisine, reinterpreted with a lightness that mirrors the island’s tropical surroundings.

The influence of Machchafushi is ever present. Surrounded by the abundant waters of South Ari Atoll, the menu embraces the freshness of the ocean, weaving locally sourced seafood into its narrative. Dishes are vibrant and expressive, reflecting the colours of the lagoon and the ease of island living, creating a seamless connection between land, sea and plate.

Signature creations become moments of discovery. Som Tam Thai brings a lively burst of flavour, Tom Yam Talay Mor Fai unfolds with aromatic intensity, and Massaman Curry Beef delivers a richness that is both comforting and refined. The Suan Bua Seafood Platter celebrates the island’s bounty, offering a direct connection to the surrounding waters and reinforcing a sense of place that is both genuine and immersive.

This culinary journey is part of a greater whole. The flavours, textures and aromas extend beyond the plate, blending seamlessly into what can only be described as the Machchafushi universe. From the gentle ocean breeze to the rhythm of island life, every element works together to create a holistic experience that feels both deeply rooted and effortlessly elevated.

Desserts such as Khao Neaw Mamuang provide a harmonious finale, balancing sweetness and texture with precision, while quietly echoing the simplicity and refinement that define the entire menu.

More than a dining experience, this is a celebration of identity. It is where Centara’s Thai heritage meets the authenticity of South Ari Atoll, creating a destination that feels both distinctive and complete. At Machchafushi, guests are not simply visiting an island, but stepping into a carefully curated world where every detail is designed to connect, inspire and linger long after the journey ends.