JOALI Maldives Welcomes Renowned Chefs for Exclusive Dining

JOALI Maldives will once again elevate its art-immersive experience in 2025 by hosting some of the world’s most celebrated chefs. Michelin-starred Chef Theodor Falser, two-Michelin-starred Chef Takagi Kazuo, and MasterChef: The Professionals winner Chef Alex Webb will each present exclusive menus during their residencies. Together, these culinary masters will craft extraordinary dining experiences that highlight their unique styles. Guests will enjoy a range of culinary journeys, from Japanese precision to nature-inspired Italian cuisine. Additionally, fine wines will complement these menus in JOALI’s exceptional dining venues.

A Series of Exclusive Chef Residencies

Chef Theodor Falser | March 1-5, 2025
Chef Theodor Falser will kick off the series at Bellinis, JOALI’s Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. He is known for his focus on seasonal, nature-driven dishes. For example, Chef Falser will serve an exclusive menu featuring dishes like Tagliolini with Black Truffle, Butter-Poached Lobster, and Braised Veal Cheek.

During this time, Bellinis will showcase the ‘Secret Garden’ collection by Aquazzura Casa, which will infuse the space with botanical beauty inspired by 18th-century Chinese porcelain. Chef Falser’s menu will transport guests to the Italian Dolomites, highlighting alpine herbs and mountain ingredients. In particular, his South Tyrol roots will inspire the selection.

Chef Takagi Kazuo | March 14-21, 2025
Chef Takagi Kazuo will take over Saoke, JOALI Maldives’ overwater restaurant, after Chef Falser. He is a master of Kyoto-style cuisine. As such, Chef Kazuo will combine refined Japanese dining with vibrant Peruvian flavors, known as Nikkei cuisine.

For instance, guests will experience dishes such as Sumiyaki Grilled Black Cod and Yuzu Beef Roll. These dishes will be paired with carefully selected premium wines. Furthermore, for those who want to dive deeper into Japanese cuisine, Chef Kazuo will lead a curated sake journey. The sake offerings will include rare labels such as Dassai Beyond and Shirataki Seven Junmai Daiginjo.

Chef Alex Webb | April 17-23, 2025
Chef Alex Webb will return to JOALI Maldives in April with a new series of inventive British-inspired dishes. Notably, as a 2020 winner of MasterChef: The Professionals, Chef Webb showcases his signature creativity. His dishes include Fire-Roasted Scallops with Foie Gras and Wagyu Beef MB9 Fillet at Bellinis. Meanwhile, at Saoke, he offers Smoked Tiger Prawn Tartare and Lobster Dog Tail.

Each course will be paired with premium wines. Moreover, Chef Webb’s approach combines bold flavors with refined techniques. His residency will offer a dynamic and memorable dining experience.

Exclusive Champagne Devaux Dinner | March 1, 2025
In addition to these residencies, JOALI Maldives will host a five-course Champagne Devaux Dinner on March 1st. This communal dining event will take place within the serene Mura Garden. The menu will feature contemporary Italian dishes paired with artisanal champagnes from Devaux.

Guests can enjoy pairings such as Foie Gras Ravioli with Truffle Sauce and Wagyu Cuberoll MB9. These dishes will be complemented by vintage selections like Devaux’s 2008 D Millésimé Brut and the 2019 Devaux Coteaux Champenois Rouge.

A Celebration of Culinary Excellence at JOALI Maldives

General Manager Shifaz Hassan highlights how food creates connections:

“Flavours have the power to transport us-to distant places, to cherished memories, to something entirely new. At JOALI Maldives, our visiting chef series is designed to spark those moments, introducing guests to new flavours, unique techniques and the people behind them. We look forward to welcoming both returning and first-time guests to discover something extraordinary with us.”

JOALI Maldives brings its ‘Joie de Vivre’ philosophy to life across five signature dining venues, each offering a distinct culinary experience, from Japanese-Peruvian fusion at Saoke to Mediterranean elegance at Bellinis. Guests indulge in private dinners, hands-on cooking sessions, and curated wine pairings, immersing themselves in a world of gastronomic discovery. Through these exceptional culinary events, JOALI Maldives invites guests to explore the island’s beauty while enjoying unforgettable flavors and experiences.

This June, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites travelers to experience Eid Al-Adha in a way that goes beyond the usual holiday. The adult-only resort has created a special two-day celebration that offers a hands-on look at Maldivian culture through storytelling, traditional crafts, and local flavors. It forms part of their ongoing ‘Discover Local’ program, designed to help guests truly connect with island life.

Learning the Ancient Art of Joali Weaving

One of the standout moments takes place on Saturday, June 7, when guests join a Joali weaving workshop. This craft involves weaving coconut rope into practical items and has been quietly passed down through island families for generations. Since resorts rarely showcase this tradition, this becomes a rare chance for guests to experience a living cultural art.

Mohamed Irshad, the Front Office Manager of Mercue Maldives Kooddoo, shares why it matters:

“We don’t want to just show our guests the Maldives, we want them to feel it through our traditions. Joali weaving is one of those rare crafts that tells the story of resourcefulness, connection to nature, and island life”

Eid Buffet and the Colorful Maali Parade

The celebration starts on the evening of June 6 with an Eid buffet featuring refined takes on local festive dishes. Here, the resort prepares everything using fresh ingredients sourced nearby, celebrating the Maldives’ rich culinary heritage.

Then, the following night, the resort comes alive with the Maali Parade, a lively procession inspired by traditional Maldivian folklore. Masked performers bring ancient stories to life right on the island.

Dining Under the Sun: The Sandbank Picnic Experience

No trip to the Maldives feels complete without a sandbank picnic, and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers a particularly memorable version. Set on a tiny, untouched island surrounded by crystal-clear water, guests enjoy an authentic meal served on tropical leaves. This picnic offers a tasting journey into Maldivian flavors, featuring local specialties like:

Gulha: Coconut and tuna fritters
Kulhi Kaajaa: Spicy tuna bites
Bajiya: Pastries filled with sweet and spicy mixes
Rihaakuru Kaajaa: Fritters made from rich fish paste
Dry Fish: Smoked tuna strips
Bodi: Sweet coconut treats with toddy syrup

Along with fresh coconut water, the food makes the meal both refreshing and deeply connected to the island’s culinary traditions.

Year-Round Cultural Experiences with ‘Discover Local’

Although Eid brings special energy to the resort, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo’s cultural offerings continue throughout the year. For instance, the ‘Discover Local’ program invites guests to try their hand at traditional sunset fishing, palm leaf art, and sampling cultural cocktails inspired by island ingredients.

The cocktail menu features creations such as:

Maldivian Green: A blend of gin, curry leaf syrup, lemon, and soda water
Ocean Breeze: Vodka infused with butterfly pea flower, peach schnapps, pineapple, and coconut syrup
Green Kooddoo: Rum mixed with Malibu, pandan leaf juice, pineapple, and coconut syrup
Mirus Rita: A spicy twist on the classic margarita using chili-infused Maldivian tequila
Coco Kurumba: Whisky combined with tamarind juice, coconut milk, and passion fruit syrup

These drinks add an extra layer to the island experience and let guests taste Maldivian flavors in a completely new way.

More Than a Vacation: A Cultural Journey

If you visit for Eid or explore Maldivian culture at any time, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers more than a stay. In fact, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives as a vibrant, living culture, full of stories, flavors, and traditions that stay with you long after the trip ends.

JOALI Maldives Welcomes Renowned Chefs for Exclusive Dining Experiences

A Series of Exclusive Chef Residencies

A Celebration of Culinary Excellence at JOALI Maldives

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