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Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa Appoints Carlo Di Nunzio as Executive Chef

chef Carlo Di Nunzio
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa welcomed Chef Carlo Di Nunzio to the position of Executive Chef at the 5-star luxury resort.

Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa welcomed Chef Carlo Di Nunzio to the position of Executive Chef at the 5-star luxury resort. Originally from Torino, Italy, Chef Carlo is bringing with him an accomplished and impressive skillset and over 32 years of food experience, expertise, and management.

His passion for food is fuelled by the long-held belief that cooking is the only job in the world that brings out positive emotion in others. Actually, this is the reason he initially started to pursue a career in the kitchen: The joy and emotion in the faces of those who experience his culinary adventures and react to well-made dishes drive him as a chef. Preparing good food makes people happy- it is as simple as that.

Image: Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Though initially inspired by the Italian palate, Chef Carlo Di Nunzio moved across the world in his mission to make people happy through food. He has honed new skills and gathered a diverse clientele in Switzerland, France, Romania, Egypt, England, and Portugal before ending up here in the paradisiacal islands of the Maldives. During his time overseas, the chef worked in international hotel chains and Michelin Star restaurants with the goal of bettering himself and furthering his mantra to bring joy to even the pickiest and hard-to-please customers.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do- and that is exactly what Chef Carlo Di Nunzio practices during his time in the Maldives. To do this, he never ceases to stop learning and prefers to hear from local chefs about the way of the craft. In turn, he imparts his own knowledge for a sharing of culinary information to take place, and as a team, they create some wonderful dishes for the guests.

Chef Carlo has a firm belief that there are many similarities between Italian and Maldivian cuisine, which seem to intersect most in seafood-focused meals. This is no surprise when considering the abundance of fresh catch from the Maldivian seas and the variety of local materials used in the cooking process.

Also read: An Easter Surprise Bonanza Awaits Couples and Families at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

He prefers for people to know what they are getting, prepare it with the freshest ingredients possible, and then watch as they leave fuller and happier than they arrived. Not only is this mantra better for the environment, but it is also better for our nutrition. By preparing food from the freshest ingredients, Chef hopes that guests at Hideaway truly experience how remarkable food can taste.

Image: Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa

Chef Carlo has already started sharing creations at Hideaway with countless recipes in the works together with the culinary team. As the resort’s new Executive Chef, he says that he is looking to wow and impress the resort’s guests with his many culinary delights and bring dining at Hideaway to the next level.

We are also pleased to announce that Chef Carlo is developing a range of fish-based dishes in many ways that will be added to our menus- both in an international twist and even having some Maldivian Elements in the cooking as well. Make sure you taste some of Chef Carlo’s dishes during your next visit to the Maldives at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa- especially at our upcoming Fish Market Concept: Eat Fish Fresh and Have it your way!

A statement by Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.

As a local owner-operated company located in the northern-most point of the Maldives, and as one of the only resorts with a marina, Hideaway is as unique as it is luxurious. The curiously shaped island (a crescent shape) is located in an environment where it is very conducive to fishing and farming, which allows the resort to source fresh produce (from its own gardens and farm on the island and affiliated farm islands nearby) to create the best dishes. Thus, Hideaway plans to collaborate with Chef Carlo to create some great culinary experiences, bringing guests on a journey from Farm (and Ocean) to Table.

This way they can have scrumptious cuisine prepared using the freshest produce, to achieve Chef Carlo’s goal – spreading joy and happiness in the world through good food.

Feature imade by Hideaway Beach Resort

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The Future of Travel: Social Commerce Insights from Jeremy Jauncey, Sarah Kopit & Seth Borko

The Future of Travel: Social Commerce Insights from Jeremy Jauncey, Sarah Kopit & Seth Borko

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, social commerce is redefining the way travelers discover, plan, and book their trips. On a recent episode of the Skift Podcast, Jeremy Jauncey, CEO of Beautiful Destinations,joined Sarah Kopit and Seth Borko to discuss the growing influence of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram on travel. Their insights highlight how brands and destinations can leverage these changes to engage modern travelers more effectively.

How Is Social Commerce Changing the Way We Travel?

We are in the most exciting time in the history of travel marketing,” said Jauncey, whose company Beautiful Destinations has pioneered high-quality digital storytelling to inspire wanderlust worldwide. “The way people discover travel is fundamentally different now. The traditional model of searching for a destination, visiting a travel agent, and booking through a website is rapidly being replaced by social commerce.

Social commerce merges social media influence with direct consumer purchases, allowing users to discover destinations through organic content and seamlessly book their next trip without leaving the app. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become virtual travel agencies, where users find inspiration and make real-time booking decisions based on what they see.

According to Seth Borko, a senior research analyst at Skift, younger generations are driving this shift, placing greater trust in influencers and user-generated content over traditional advertisements.

Millennials and Gen Z are scrolling through their feeds and seeing firsthand experiences from people they follow and admire. That authenticity is what makes them act,” Borko explained. “This isn’t just advertising; this is experiential storytelling with a call to action.

Why Is Short-Form Video the Future of Travel Marketing?

One of the key drivers behind this transformation is short-form video content.

Instagram Reels and TikTok have changed the game,” Jauncey noted. “A 15-second video can transport a user to a remote island in the Maldives or a street market in Bangkok. And with a simple tap, they can book a flight, hotel, or experience right there on the platform.”

Unlike traditional marketing strategies, which often require multiple steps from inspiration to booking, social commerce streamlines the process. Integrated ‘Book Now’ buttons and social-first travel agencies enable travelers to go from watching a video to confirming a reservation within minutes.

Sarah Kopit, Editor-in-Chief at Skift, emphasized the importance of adapting to these changing consumer behaviors.

Travel companies that are still relying on static images and generic ads are falling behind,” Kopit stressed. “You need to be in the spaces where your audience spends time – and right now, that’s TikTok, Instagram, and even emerging platforms like BeReal.

How Are Influencers and Community Engagement Driving Travel Bookings?

The conversation also highlighted the crucial role of content creators and travel influencers in driving bookings. Unlike traditional advertising, influencer marketing fosters trust through authenticity and relatability.

Travelers want to see real people experiencing real moments,” Jauncey explained. “It’s no longer about polished, overproduced ads. It’s about storytelling through a lens that feels personal and attainable.

This shift has led to the rise of micro-influencers—travel creators with smaller yet highly engaged audiences. These influencers often provide in-depth guides, real-time experiences, and unfiltered reviews, making their recommendations more credible.

We’re seeing a shift away from big celebrity endorsements toward niche, passionate creators who actually visit and experience the places they promote,” Borko added. “They drive more conversions because their followers see them as trustworthy sources.”

What Does the Future of Travel Marketing Look Like?

As social commerce continues to expand, industry experts agree that travel brands must adapt or risk being left behind. Key takeaways from this discussion include:

Short-form video is the future of travel marketing. Brands should invest in compelling, mobile-friendly content that captures users’ attention within seconds.

Seamless booking experiences drive conversions. The fewer steps between inspiration and purchase, the higher the likelihood of bookings.

Authenticity is key. Travelers engage more with real, relatable experiences from influencers and user-generated content.

Community engagement matters. Travel brands that foster relationships with their audiences rather than solely pushing sales will see greater long-term success.

The brands that will succeed in this new era of travel are the ones that recognize the power of social discovery and immediate action,” Jauncey concluded. “This is no longer the future – it’s happening right now.

As the travel industry shifts toward experience-driven, mobile-first marketing, companies that embrace social commerce will be at the forefront of the next travel boom. For travel brands and destinations, the message is clear: adapt now, or risk being left behind in a world where the next viral destination is just one scroll away.

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