Food
JA Manafaru introduces ‘Wellness Your Way’ dining experience in celebration of World Food Day
Building on the exciting news from the previous month when JA Manafaru was honored with the esteemed ‘Best Culinary Resort 2023’ award by Travel Trade Maldives, the resort celebrated ‘World Food Day’ on October 16th, 2023, by introducing ‘Wellness Your Way,’ a lifestyle dining concept designed to cater to the well-being of luxury travelers.
The event, graced by members of the travel media, agents, and island guests, featured a captivating beachfront food festival that celebrated diverse eating lifestyles. Guests at the launch party savored a variety of appetizers and main courses tailored to different dietary preferences. The evening’s highlight was an extensive selection of desserts, ensuring that even those with dietary restrictions could enjoy a sweet treat.
To mark this special occasion, renowned UK-based celebrity Chef Luke French of Joro Restaurant graced the event with his culinary expertise. Chef Luke’s visit to JA Manafaru will include his involvement in launching other ‘Wellness Your Way’ initiatives, with a primary focus on training the culinary team in fermentation processes to create Homemade@JA Manafaru soy sauce, miso, and other fermented products. These will complement the island’s new Wellness Beverage program, featuring homemade Kombucha and more.
Each of the resort’s six dining outlets, as well as In Villa Dining, will offer separate menus catering to various dietary preferences, including vegan/vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, or low-carb options. Guests can confidently select from a diverse range of dishes made from specially sourced ingredients, including homegrown fruits and vegetables.
In an effort to provide healthier alternatives, Executive Chef Moosa Nazeeh and his culinary team have employed innovative techniques to recreate guests’ favorite dishes while accommodating different dietary choices. The island will introduce a variety of plant-based meats, cheeses, and seafood, as well as homemade low-carb bread and pasta made from konjac. The team’s experiments have led to delectable creations such as vegan “buffalo” mozzarella and sugar and low-carb nut brownies.
Chef Moosa remarks, “Earning the title of the ‘Best Culinary Resort’ in the Maldives is a significant achievement, and our team is constantly embracing new culinary challenges to enhance the dining experience for our valued guests. By making subtle ingredient adjustments, we can reimagine dishes to cater to a broader audience of health-conscious diners. We’ve been delighted to expand our knowledge and craft these tailor-made menus.”
The ‘World Food Day’ event marks the commencement of the entire ‘Wellness Your Way’ initiative, which also includes the introduction of the ‘Alchemy Bar’ situated at the Calm Spa Sanctuary. Here, guests can participate in workshops to create herbal remedies and engage in short wellness programs to enrich their Maldives vacation.
General Manager Jason Kruse concludes, “While guest wellness remains a key focus at JA Manafaru, and our spa experience is akin to a serene sanctuary for the soul, we don’t intend to become solely a wellness destination. ‘Wellness Your Way’ is our way of offering guests a wider array of choices to enhance their vacation with wellness elements. We aim for our guests to feel equally at ease whether they opt for a day of salads and workouts or indulge in a seven-course wine degustation in our subterranean wine cellar on the following day.”
Milaidhoo Maldives will welcome Chef Laurence Tan, Head Chef of Michelin-starred JAG in Singapore, for two culinary experiences on the island in October.
Tan’s interest in cooking began at home, inspired by his parents and by preparing and sharing food with his family. After experimenting in the family kitchen, he went on to attend culinary school before joining The White Rabbit in Singapore in 2016, where he began developing his professional career.
He later worked at Tower Club before joining JAG in 2020. Working alongside Chef Jeremy Gillon, Tan developed an approach centred on precision, seasonality and the integrity of individual ingredients.
He progressed from Chef de Partie to Junior Sous Chef and later Sous Chef. When Gillon took on an international consultancy in Taiwan, Tan assumed leadership of the JAG kitchen.
He is now Head Chef of the restaurant, which retained its Michelin star in 2026, reflecting the consistency and quality of its cuisine under his direction.
During his visit to Milaidhoo, Tan will introduce guests to elements of JAG’s culinary philosophy while sharing some of the techniques and ideas that shape his cooking.
On 16 October, he will conduct an intimate cooking class, giving guests an opportunity to learn directly from him and explore his approach to ingredients, technique and flavour.
The following evening, on 17 October, Tan will host a five-course dinner limited to 16 guests.
The menu will begin with Hiramasa crudo with tomatoes and sea grapes, followed by Gambero Rosso with Jerusalem artichoke and cashew. Lobster ravioli with lobster bisque will precede Tajima Wagyu MB8 tenderloin with celeriac and black autumn truffle.
Dessert will feature a dark chocolate parfait with buckwheat ice cream and tonka bean. A preserved lemon sorbet will be served between courses, while the evening will open with a leek and potato croustade.
The collaboration reflects Milaidhoo’s culinary philosophy, which places emphasis on craftsmanship, curiosity, shared experiences and the role of dining in creating memorable moments.
The cooking class will take place on 16 October, followed by the five-course chef’s dinner on 17 October, with the latter limited to 16 guests.
V Villas Maldives at Mirihi – MGallery Collection will host Executive Chef Pisut ‘Nong’ Nahan and Lead Mixologist Mongkol ‘Lek’ Saengchud from V Villas Phuket – MGallery Collection for a Thai culinary pop-up on 10 and 11 October 2026.
Titled ‘From the Andaman to the Indian Ocean’, the collaboration will bring together the culinary identities of the two destinations through contemporary Thai cuisine, cocktails and island dining experiences.
Over two evenings, guests will be able to take part in Cocktail & Dine at Muraka and a Sundowner & Beach Dinner at AKOYA Sea Lounge.
Chef Nong will showcase his ‘Thai with a modern twist’ approach, combining regional Thai flavours, seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques with contemporary presentation. The menu has been designed as a culinary journey between Thailand and the Maldives, drawing inspiration from the Andaman Sea and the waters surrounding Mirihi.
Khun Lek will complement the dining experience with cocktails inspired by place, storytelling and balance. His ‘triangle’ method combines sweetness for relaxation, sourness for freshness and bitterness for depth, with each drink centred around an umami element.
The collaboration will feature dishes and cocktails developed specifically for the event. Menu concepts include Royal Massaman Croquette, Siam Betel Crab and Ocean Tuna Crudo, while featured drinks will include the Mirihi Martini, Muraka Whisper and Tropical Terroir.
The pop-up forms part of the shared approach of V Villas Maldives at Mirihi and V Villas Phuket, as well as MGallery Collection’s focus on experience-led hospitality and storytelling.
Further details on timings, menus and reservations will be announced by the resort. Availability for the two-night event will be limited.
Building on the success of its inaugural Masters of Food & Wine event held in July 2026, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa unveils the Masters of Food & Wine Series, a season-long celebration of world-class gastronomy that will welcome six internationally acclaimed MICHELIN-starred chefs to Our Living Island from October 2026 through April 2027.
More than a collection of guest chef dinners, the series is conceived as a culinary journey through the celebrations and rhythms of the season, where each chapter is inspired by a meaningful moment of the year, from Chinese Golden Week and the festive season to New Year celebrations and Easter by the sea.
For one exceptional season, guests will embark on six exclusive culinary chapters, each led by a distinguished chef making a rare appearance in the Maldives. From Cantonese mastery and Tuscan traditions to contemporary European innovation and French artistry, every experience offers a unique expression of culture, craftsmanship and culinary excellence.
Set against the pristine natural surroundings of Hadahaa, each chef will present a bespoke dining experience inspired by their culinary heritage while drawing from the rich bounty of the Maldives, creating a dialogue between world-class gastronomy and the extraordinary ecosystem that defines Our Living Island.
“The Masters of Food & Wine Series reflects our commitment to creating meaningful experiences that connect guests with culture, craftsmanship and nature. Following the remarkable success of our inaugural event, we are delighted to evolve the concept into a season-long journey that brings some of the world’s most celebrated culinary talents to Hadahaa,” said Anshul Sharma, General Manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa.
A Culinary Journey Through the Seasons
For the first time in the Maldives, six celebrated chefs from across Europe and Asia will make their first appearance in the Maldives at Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, each bringing a distinctive culinary perspective shaped by their heritage, expertise and passion. Together, they will create an extraordinary season celebrating culture, craftsmanship and the world’s most treasured ingredient: nature.
ONE SHARED PHILOSOPHY
Inspired by Nature. Driven by Passion.
Though their journeys span different continents, cultures and culinary traditions, all six chefs share a common philosophy.
A belief that exceptional cuisine begins with exceptional ingredients. Throughout the season, each chef will draw inspiration from the natural bounty surrounding Hadahaa, incorporating local seafood, seasonal ingredients and the flavors of the Indian Ocean into their own unique culinary expressions.
Chapter I
Golden Week | A Celebration of Prosperity, Family and Culinary Heritage
Executive Chef Ku Chi Fai
2 & 5 October 2026
The journey begins during Chinese Golden Week with Executive Chef Ku Chi Fai, founder of MICHELIN-starred Beijing Kitchen and one of the region’s most respected masters of Cantonese cuisine. With more than four decades of culinary experience, he has led Beijing Kitchen to earn seven consecutive MICHELIN Stars and eight consecutive Black Pearl One-Diamond Awards, establishing the restaurant among China’s most distinguished culinary destinations.
Chapter II
The Festive Spirit of Tuscany, Inspired by Nature
Executive Chef Andrea Mattei
14 & 18 December 2026
As the festive season arrives on Our Living Island, Executive Chef Andrea Mattei brings the warmth and traditions of Tuscany to the Maldives. Recognised with a MICHELIN Green Star for Sustainable Gastronomy, his cuisine celebrates seasonality, responsible sourcing and a deep respect for nature, creating a festive experience that reflects the values shared by both Tuscany and Hadahaa.
Chapter III
New Year, New Perspectives
Executive Chef Ruben Christiaens
6 & 10 January 2027
The New Year begins with Executive Chef Ruben Christiaens of La Villa Lorraine, whose contemporary European cuisine is shaped by experience in some of the world’s most renowned kitchens, including Eleven Madison Park in New York. Recipient of the MICHELIN Young Chef Award 2022, Executive Chef Christiaens brings a fresh and creative perspective that celebrates discovery, innovation and new beginnings.
Chapter IV
A Celebration of Innovation and Creativity
Executive Chef Michael Dyllong
23 & 26 January 2027
Representing a new generation of culinary excellence, Executive Chef Michael Dyllong of MICHELIN-starred The Stage is renowned for his technical mastery, creativity and contemporary approach to European gastronomy. Recognized as one of Germany’s youngest MICHELIN-starred chefs, he brings a dynamic culinary vision to Hadahaa.
Chapter V
Easter by the Sea: A Celebration of Togetherness and Renewal
Executive Chef Richard Gabriel Toix
26 & 29 March 2027
As Easter arrives, the journey continues with Executive Chef Richard Gabriel Toix of MICHELIN-starred Le Charlie in Corsica. Combining the precision of French technique with influences gathered throughout a career spanning France and Asia, Executive Chef Toix presents a refined culinary experience inspired by the Mediterranean spirit of sharing, discovery and connection.
Chapter VI
The Art of French Gastronomy, Inspired by Our Living Island
Group Chef David Hemmerlé
5 & 8 April 2027
The season concludes with Group Chef David Hemmerlé, whose distinguished international career spans France, Brazil, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. Guided by classical French techniques and decades of culinary excellence, Group Chef Hemmerlé will present a grand finale celebrating craftsmanship, gastronomy and the natural beauty of Our Living Island.
At Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, nature is more than a setting. It is the inspiration behind every experience, every flavor and every memorable moment shared around the table. While each visiting chef arrives with extraordinary achievements and international acclaim, what truly unites them is a shared passion for craftsmanship, nature and exceptional ingredients. The Masters of Food & Wine Series celebrates not only culinary excellence, but also the meaningful connections and unforgettable experiences that food and hospitality create.
For reservations and further information, please call +960 682 1234, email maldives.parkhadahaa@hyatt.com or visit www.parkhyattmaldives.com.
-
Awards1 week agoEllaidhoo, Hakuraa Huraa Maldives secure double TTM awards win for Cinnamon
-
News1 week agoThe St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort unveils ‘Chapter X’ for 10th anniversary
-
News7 days ago‘The Curse of the Vigani’ takes over Oaga Art Resort this Halloween
-
News1 week agoInterContinental Maldives marks brand’s 80th anniversary with Michelin-starred culinary collaboration
-
Awards1 week agoFinolhu earns five Luxury Childcare Association Awards nominations
-
News7 days agoFushifaru Maldives unveils five-day celebration for ninth anniversary
-
News6 days agoSoneva’s Maldives waterslide reimagined as contemporary art in Stockholm
-
Awards1 week agoBaros Maldives wins Indian Ocean’s Leading Water Villa Resort at World Travel Awards