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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives brings epicurean love affair for Valentine’s Day with Chef David Yárnoz

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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands launches its 2025 Masters of Crafts season bringing the culinary temple of Molino de Urdániz at the hands of decorated Chef David Yárnoz to its guests this February. With an amorous start to the resort’s established series working with the world’s most talented masters of food and drink, the two-night takeover from 14-15 February will bring a menu and dining experience from the most awarded restaurant in Northern Spain’s Navarre region to the Indian Ocean.

With four Michelin stars, two Repsol Suns and one Green star behind his name, Navarrese Chef David Yárnoz is the culinary revolutionist at the two Michelin star Molino de Urdániz. Tucked between the Irati Forest and Baztan Valley, this former miller’s stone house reimagined is a venue steeped in history and gastronomic innovation helmed by Yárnoz for two decades.

Bringing his acclaimed artistry to the Indian Ocean, an elegant tasting menu will evoke Chef Yárnoz’s signature ‘Cuisine of Balance’. This ethos harnessing the rhythms of nature from the small cosmos of Molino de Urdániz, the rural territory’s traditions and local ingredients, his trademark refined and elegant sensibilities, with innovative techniques.

In this rare opportunity and Chef Yárnoz’s first residency in the Maldives, guests will savour a six-course tasting menu deeply rooted in Spanish flavours with a Maldivian twist. The gastronomic journey will include; Ajo Blanco, Mud crab, dried fruits and ginger, Reef fish with seaweed and meunière sauce, Guinea fowl with seasonal mushrooms, foie gras and aged balsamic, closing with Toasted milk, black beer ice cream and truffle.

In a truly authentic experience, Chef Yárnoz will be accompanied by members of his long standing team including head of dining and sommelier Jaione Echarri and Chef Andrés Ruiz, collaborating with the resort’s Executive Chef, Pedro Samper, to create a unique meeting of gastronomic philosophies. The visit will feature an exclusive masterclass for up to 15 guests, where the restaurant’s award-winning team will uncover the inspiration and stories behind each dish.

Dan Drebing, Resort Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands comments. “We are honoured to welcome Chef Yárnoz and his team to our Masters of Crafts programme this year. Having the opportunity to showcase his culinary mastery to our guests fills us with immense pride. Our shared commitment to sustainable gastronomy and a balanced approach to creating exceptional experiences for our discerning guests makes this partnership truly special.”

Chef Yárnoz adds. “My team and I look forward to presenting an unrepeatable experience for guests at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands. To be able to celebrate the local flavours of our quiet corner of Navarre in one of the world’s most exquisite ocean settings, marrying contrasting cultures and taste notes fuels our innovative senses at Molino de Urdániz.”

From the medieval Basque kingdom of Northern Spain’s Navarre, to the crystalline waters of the Indian Ocean, the luxurious surrounds of the design-masterpiece resort sets the stage for a unique sensory experience. The two-night residency will be hosted at The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands’ Beach Shack restaurant, with white sands and endless ocean vistas as the backdrop.

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Gourmet escape with Singaporean Chef Petrina Loh at Constance Moofushi

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At Constance Moofushi, gastronomy is more than a signature offering—it is a pillar of the guest experience, where refined techniques, local inspiration, and respect for nature, come together to create timeless moments.

In this spirit of culinary excellence, Constance Moofushi hosted Chef Petrina Loh, renowned Singaporean chef and founder of the award-winning restaurant Morsels. Known for her passion for fermentation and bold flavour pairings rooted in Asian fusion, Chef Loh brought her distinctive creative flair to the Maldives for an exclusive collaboration with the resort’s culinary teams.

Throughout her stay, she worked hand-in-hand with the chefs, sharing her philosophy and collaborating on a series of inspired dishes that reflected the Constance Hotel’s culinary identity while introducing fresh perspectives. Her presence on the island was not only a gastronomic highlight for Moofushi’s guests, but also a moment of true enrichment for the teams—fostering creativity, technique, and a renewed sense of inspiration.

“It was a privilege to welcome Chef Petrina Loh to Constance Moofushi,” said Mevin Ramasamy, General Manager. “Her generous approach and alignment with our culinary values brought great energy to our teams and enriched the guest experience. Collaborations like these allow us to grow, while offering gastronomic experience that remains elegant, fresh, and rooted in authenticity.

At Constance Hotels & Resorts, culinary excellence is nurtured through meaningful encounters, and the transmission of savoir-faire. Talents from around the world are regularly invited to share their expertise with the teams. This spirit is embodied in the annual Constance Festival Culinaire-a flagship event celebrating creativity, gastronomy and cross-cultural culinary exchange- and echoed in exclusive culinary invitations such as Chef Petrina Loh’s at Constance Moofushi. Through a growing calendar of gastronomic events, Constance Hotels & Resorts reaffirms its promise: to offer cuisine that inspires, connects, and elevates every stay

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Milaidhoo Maldives unveils Azure: Chic beach shack dining experience

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Milaidhoo Maldives, the renowned luxury boutique resort in the heart of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is launching its newest dining concept, Azure.

Offering a laid-back, toes-in-the-sand experience, Azure provides guests with a delightful lunchtime escape in a picturesque beach shack setting, delivering an authentic slice of Maldivian life and an opportunity to reconnect with nature.

Nestled amid lush palm-like screw pines, Azure embodies the essence of barefoot informality. With its relaxed ambiance and idyllic beach location, guests can unwind and savour the simple pleasures of island life while enjoying the gentle sea breeze. Open from 12.00 (noon) to 16.00, Azure is the perfect spot for a leisurely midday meal.

Azure’s culinary focus is on fresh, light bites and delectable wood-fired pizzas, crafted with the finest ingredients. A highlight of the menu is the signature Azure pizza, showcasing the unique flavours of Maldivian ingredients, such as tuna carpaccio, lobster, dried fish, herbs from the Chef’s garden (Maldivian Rocket) and a Maldivian chilli tomato sauce as the base.

Guests can also indulge in a selection of refreshing cocktails as well as the ever-popular Provence rosé, a must on a sunny day at the beach.

A standout at Azure is the homemade sorbet, featuring an array of tropical flavours such as creamy coconut, zesty lemon screw pine, fragrant basil and vibrant hibiscus. These invigorating treats provide the perfect ending to a sun-kissed afternoon.

“At Milaidhoo, we encourage our guests to leave formality behind. This new dining experience captures the true spirit of our effortless island luxury,” says Ken Gundu, Executive Chef. “Azure offers you a chance to connect with the natural beauty of the Maldives in a relaxed and informal setting while enjoying exceptional food and drinks.”

Azure’s menu:

  • Light bites: a selection of fresh, seasonal dishes perfect for a light lunch.
  • Wood-fired pizzas: crispy, thin-crust pizzas cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven.
  • Signature Azure pizza: a unique creation you simply must try, featuring local ingredients from the chef’s garden and the Indian Ocean.
  • Homemade sorbets: when the heat is on, indulge in our uniquely Maldivian sorbet flavours including coconut, lemon screw pine, basil and hibiscus.
  • Provence rosé and cocktails: enjoy a chilled glass of wine or handcrafted cocktail to complement this most relaxing of dining experiences.

Azure invites guests to embrace the laid-back charm of a beach shack, where every meal celebrates culinary delights inspired by the island’s natural beauty.

Milaidhoo is more than just a destination; it’s an island sanctuary where you can write your own story and create memories as unique as you are.

For reservations and more information, please contact the resort at welcome@milaidhoo.com.

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Patina Maldives presents culinary experience with Luciano Cucina Italiana x Veleno Bar

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Patina Maldives continues to reimagine the art of island hospitality through its latest epicurean collaboration: a two-day culinary pop-up bringing together Italy’s “King of Carbonara,” Chef Luciano Monosilio, and the irreverently creative mixologists from Vienna’s Veleno Bar. Taking place on 24 and 25 April 2025, this exclusive dining and cocktail affair promises a bold interplay of heritage and experimentation, set within the warm, intimate space of Farine and the vibrant backdrop of Fari Beach Club.

Widely recognised as one of the most innovative chefs in Italy today, Chef Luciano Monosilio earned his Michelin star at the age of just 27. At his eponymous restaurant in Rome, Luciano Cucina Italiana, he is known for transforming traditional Roman dishes into contemporary expressions

of flavour, with his carbonara becoming something of a culinary icon in its own right. His presence at Patina Maldives signals a continued commitment to curating exceptional gastronomic moments that marry technique, story, and soul.

The collaboration is further elevated by the spirited energy of Veleno Bar, an underground favourite in Vienna’s cocktail scene. Known for its bold and sustainable approach to mixology — including the creative use of upcycled ingredients — Veleno brings an unapologetically daring edge to classic cocktails, blending eclectic flavours with a rebellious spirit.

On Thursday evening, the experience begins as the sun sets over the Indian Ocean, with a welcome cocktail hour at Farine featuring bespoke concoctions by Veleno and an elegant selection of specially crafted canapés by Chef Luciano himself. As twilight deepens, guests are invited to linger over a semi-buffet dinner, where Luciano’s à la carte creations are woven into Farine’s existing menu — a thoughtful tribute to seasonal Italian fare interpreted through the lens of island living.

The following day offers an intimate opportunity to step behind the scenes. At Koen, Chef Luciano will host a hands-on Carbonara Cooking Class for a select group of 12 guests. This immersive culinary session includes a personalised mocktail and dessert pairing — a reflective, flavour-led journey through one of Rome’s most beloved dishes.

While guests indulge in flavour and technique, the creative exchange extends to Patina’s own team. On Friday afternoon, Veleno Bar’s Luca will lead a cocktail masterclass for Patina’s F&B talents at Fari Beach Club — sharing the brand’s signature playbook of sustainability, narrative, and unconventional craft.

The two-day event concludes with a final evening at Farine, where the warmth of shared tables, fresh perspectives, and elevated dining leaves an impression far beyond the plate.

Prices start from USD 155++ for the semi-buffet dinners at Farine (half-board credit applicable), and USD 150++ per person for the Carbonara Cooking Class, inclusive of a mocktail and dessert.

This limited engagement is a celebration of taste, storytelling, and cultural alchemy — an invitation to savour, to learn, and to connect.

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