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Exclusive with Andrea Berton: World’s First Michelin Star Chef to Manage an Underwater Restaurant

Andrea Berton
We caught up with Andrea Berton to talk about his newest project; managing the H2O underwater restaurant in the Maldives.

You & Me by Cocoon Maldives recently rebranded its H2O underwater restaurant to ‘H2O by chef Andrea Berton’. Andrea Berton is an Italian chef, who won 4 Michelin stars.

Throughout his career, Chef Andrea worked with the likes of Gualtiero Marchesi and Alain Ducasse. His ‘Ristorante Berton’ in Milan earned a Michelin star in less than a year after its opening.

Winning 4 Michelin stars is an extraordinary feat. This is also the first time in the world a Michelin starred chef will manage an underwater restaurant. So, we caught up with Andrea Berton to talk about his latest project; managing the H2O underwater restaurant in the Maldives.

01. Chef, could describe your excitement to take over the underwater restaurant H2O?

Chef Andrea Berton: When I first received the proposal to manage H2O it made me feel extremely happy. I came here years ago and worked alongside the team and had a fantastic experience. We agreed to work on this project quite early on.

Image: IM Studio | Instagram: @immaldives

To have my close friendship with You & Me turn into a collaboration is an amazing achievement. Besides, there are only a few underwater restaurants in the world. So, I feel honoured to be able to present my food here.

02. What will be the new concept of H2O?

Chef Andrea Berton: All of my restaurants feature a distinct concept. The dishes served at H2O is different from what my restaurant in Italy serves. Here we source the local ingredients and take inspiration from the Maldivian culture.

It’s not the same food diners will find in Milan. We find the compromise between life in the Maldives and the magical atmosphere of the underwater restaurant. After all, we want our guests to enjoy the amazing experience.

03. What’s the philosophy behind the dishes served at H2O?

Chef Andrea Berton: My philosophy is to characterize the plate with minimal fresh ingredients. The flavours are curated from the best ingredients. Moreover, we want to focus on the best ingredients that you can find in the Maldives.

I also use the fishes found in our lagoon (the lagoon of You & Me Maldives) to create stocks, broth and soups to finalize the plate.

04. Tell me some of your signature dishes diners can find at H2O?

Chef Andrea Berton: One of my signature two dishes, the risotto will be available at the restaurant. For the last 5 years, I’ve also worked on creating a very unique broth.

This broth gives a nice texture to every plate. The broth also changes seasonally as it’s cold in the summer and hot in the winter. I believe these simple things will make the experience of guests better.

Image: IM Studio | Instagram: @immaldives
05. What is your opinion on Maldivian cuisine?

Chef Andrea Berton: I first tried Maldivian food at the buffet back in Cocoon Maldives when I came to the Maldives years ago. I can easily recognize the cultures and flavour of Maldivian cuisine. The combination between Italian food and Maldivian is also pretty interesting for me.

Feature image by IM Studio

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Celebrating Motherhood and Resilience: Amie’s Journey at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru

Banynan Tree Vabbinfaru Housekeeping Supervisor - on Mother's Day

In the world of hospitality, small, thoughtful details often shape the most memorable experiences: a perfectly turned bed, the scent of fresh linen, and a sense of warmth that makes a place feel like home. These details don’t appear by accident. Instead, individuals like Amie create them through quiet, consistent care.At Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru, Amie does more than fulfill her role. She brings heart to it. Many on the island call her “the Mother, the Auntie, the Big Sister,” titles that reflect the nurturing presence and calm leadership she offers every day.

Amie began her journey with Vabbinfaru before the resort even opened. She arrived on the island in 1993, when it was still Vabbinfaru Paradise Island. A year later, she joined the resort as a Gallery Sales Assistant. She started her first job with a team that already felt like family. Her husband, who worked in engineering at the time, became part of that shared path and the life they built together.

A Mother’s Choice and a Pause in Her Career

When she became a mother, Amie entered a new chapter. She chose to leave her job and focus on raising their son. “It was the most beautiful and the most challenging time of my life,” she says. They lived together on the island during the first two years. As her son grew, she decided to move home, giving him more space and support. Her husband stayed on the island to continue his role. Although distance separated them, they remained a strong, united family.

Returning to Her Island Home

As her son grew older, Amie returned to the resort. The team welcomed her back as if she had never left. She resumed her work in a place that shaped her life, a place where she grew up, raised her child, and found belonging.

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A Legacy of Care and Quiet Leadership

Amie beams with pride when she talks about her son, who now works in hospitality. “He’s grown into a kind, respectful man who understands what it means to care for others,” she says. “That’s everything a mother could hope for.”

Despite living apart from her family, Amie stays connected through video calls and messages every few days. They meet in Malé whenever possible. “Even a short visit brings so much joy,” she says. “That’s the beauty of family: it doesn’t matter how far, the bond stays strong.”

Amie’s steady, positive spirit continues to inspire those around her. She stays grounded by thinking of her family and reflecting on how far they’ve come. “I’ve faced challenges, but I always remind myself what we’ve built together,” she says.

She shares a heartfelt message with other mothers working in hospitality: “Being a mother in a resort is not easy. You miss moments with your family. But this job helps us support them and build a better future. If you work with heart, one day your efforts will be seen. Don’t give up. Your work matters more than you think.”

Every detail at Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru carries the touch of people like Amie. While she may work behind the scenes, she leaves an unmistakable mark, one built on strength, care, and unwavering dedication.

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