Fairmont Maldives Reveals Star Chef Line-Up this Festive Season

Offering a tantalising tropical escape this festive season, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi will play host to three celebrated and Michelin-awarded chefs – Alexandre Demand, Mickael Viljanen and Alfredo Russo – each creating a bespoke degustation menu to be enjoyed exclusively by island guests throughout December and January.

Alexandre Demand

Fairmont Maldives Reveals Star Chef Line-Up this Festive Season

One of France’s most sought-after chefs, Alexandre Demand is best known for spearheading menus at various Michelin-starred restaurants across the country.

A graduate of the Paul Augier Hotel School in Nice, most recently Alexandre has been quietly pushing the boundaries of gastronomy at Oxygen Dining Room in the Cross Chiang Mai Riverside Hotel in Thailand.

Taking diners on a culinary journey with a twist, Demard creates a modern exploration of Thai food through a French perspective. For Demard, food is a “combination of creativity, respect for the produce, and a passion of flavours.”, a mantra that has won him numerous accolades including a Michelin Plate.

Inviting guests to savour his Thai-inspired dishes, Demard will be serving up a six-course set menu at Fairmont’s Azure over Christmas and taking over Kata for a New Year’s Eve feast.

Mickael Viljanen

Joining Fairmont Maldives over New Year’s, Mickael Viljanen is one of only four chefs in Ireland to be awarded two Michelin stars. Celebrated for his sublime craft, technical precision, and masterful manipulation of flavours, Viljanen is the Chef-Patron of the multi-award-winning restaurant Chapter One in Dublin.

Working in kitchens since he was 14, Mickael moved to Ireland in 2000 from Finland, where he grew up via France and the United Kingdom. Viljanen’s sophisticated cooking features stimulating flavour combinations and a nod to traditional Finnish dishes, whilst placing seasonal Irish produce centre stage.

Also Read: Festive Celebrations in Maldives Resorts You Can’t Miss

Guests of Fairmont Maldives can reign in the New Year and enjoy Mickael Viljanen’s elegant and complex creations with a six-course menu paired with fine wines from around the world, set in the Azure restaurant.

Alfredo Russo

Bringing his culinary skillset to the Maldives in January, Alfredo Russo is one of Italy’s leading chefs. Utilising modern techniques, Russo’s cooking is strongly influenced by classic cuisine, local ingredients, and culinary trends, gaining him numerous accolades.

Further to opening his first restaurant Dolce Stil Novo in 1990, he was recognised as the Best Young Italian Chef by the Espresso Guide in 2004 and has since earnt a total of 27 Michelin Stars.

His acclaimed kitchen and unique style have led to collaborations with celebrated restaurants including Gran Hotel et de Milan, where he led the hotel in a new culinary direction, and the publication of several cookery books. With five restaurants in his international portfolio, Russo has gained a global reputation and his dishes are treasured by many.

Russo will take over the resort’s Azure restaurant in the New Year, creating a Michelin Star menu for guests to enjoy, alongside a selection of fine wines.

Home to three epicurean restaurants, from ocean-fresh seafood at Azure and traditional Maldivian dishes at Raha to Japanese inspired cuisine at overwater dining destination Kata, Fairmont Maldives is a culinary destination in its own right. Set in the heart of the resort, laid-back cocktail bar Onu Onu is the perfect destination to sip on colourful concoctions as the sun sets over the azure water and, for a truly intimate experience, guests can enjoy a private dinner on the beach at starlight, accompanied by a soundtrack of lapping waves.

Book your seats and dine with Michelin-starred chefs here.

Feature image by Fairmont Maldives

This summer, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers the perfect opportunity to disconnect from daily life and reconnect with yourself. In celebration of International Yoga Day on June 21st, the resort hosts an immersive five-day yoga retreat from June 20th to 24th, guided by the highly experienced and respected yoga instructor Emilia Métaireau. With its serene surroundings, the retreat provides a peaceful sanctuary for wellness seekers to refresh their mind, body, and spirit while embracing the transformative power of yoga, meditation, and mindful movement.

A Mid-Summer Reset in Paradise

Held at an ideal time for a mid-summer reset, this retreat invites participants to rediscover their inner balance in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations. Surrounded by the Maldives’ crystal-clear waters, vibrant reefs, and unspoiled beauty, guests step away from their routines and focus on restoring their energy and clarity. Moreover, Emilia, whose teachings span over a decade and more than 2,500 hours of global experience, brings a grounded and expansive presence to the experience. She blends breathwork, ancient wisdom, and conscious movement, guiding each guest toward a deeper connection with themselves.

A Thoughtful and Immersive Daily Practice

The retreat begins each day with rejuvenating sunrise yoga, allowing guests to wake up and center themselves before embracing the day ahead. In the evenings, the focus shifts to calming rituals designed to soothe the body and still the mind. To enhance this immersive experience further, guided meditations and energy healing practices integrate seamlessly into the program, creating a journey of self-discovery and spiritual connection. Each session is thoughtfully crafted to help participants not only practice yoga but also experience the deeper emotional and mental benefits that come with it.

Exploring the Five Koshas: A Journey Inward

A key focus of the retreat is the ancient yogic philosophy of the five koshas—five interconnected layers of being that shape our experiences of life, health, and spirituality. These layers include the physical body (Annamaya Kosha), the energy body (Pranamaya Kosha), the mental body (Manomaya Kosha), the intellectual body (Vijnanamaya Kosha), and the bliss body (Anandamaya Kosha). Throughout the retreat, guests explore these layers through mindful movement, meditation, and yoga, with each practice designed to bring them closer to a state of peace, clarity, and self-awareness.

Luxurious Spa Treatments to Complement Your Journey

Adding to the holistic experience, guests indulge in treatments at the resort’s luxurious AVI Spa, a sanctuary perched over the water and designed to promote deep relaxation and wellness. Named after the local word for “sunshine,” AVI Spa offers a variety of signature treatments and therapies that nurture the body and soul, perfectly complementing the retreat’s focus on mindfulness and rejuvenation.

An Idyllic Setting for Renewal and Rejuvenation

Furthermore, the stunning location of the resort enhances the retreat experience. Situated at the southern tip of Raa Atoll, bordering a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a juvenile manta ray aggregation site, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort offers a peaceful and inspiring backdrop for reflection and rejuvenation. As the first and only all-Club InterContinental resort, it provides exclusive benefits to guests, including indulgent amenities and luxurious accommodations. The resort features overwater villas, an adults-only area, an exquisite spa, and a variety of dining options, ensuring that each guest enjoys a complete experience of luxury and wellness.