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Michelin-Starred Chef Darren Chin to Host Exclusive Culinary Series at The Nautilus Maldives

Chef Darren Chin

The Nautilus Maldives will welcome a remarkable guest this November as part of its celebrated Masters for Masters series. From 5 to 7 November 2025, the ultra-luxury resort will host Michelin-starred Chef Darren Chin for an intimate three-day culinary residency that beautifully blends French technique and Southeast Asian soul.

Adan Gomez, General Manager of The Nautilus, expressed his excitement about the upcoming residency and the collaboration with Chef Darren Chin.

“We are honoured to welcome Chef Darren to The Nautilus. His pursuit of integrity, refinement, and storytelling through cuisine resonates deeply with our philosophy of free-spirited experiences and timeless hospitality. Together, we invite our guests to a rare and meaningful culinary encounter.”

Exclusive Dining Experience with Chef Darren Chin

During his residency, Chef Darren Chin will lead guests through a unique culinary journey inspired by the Indian Ocean and his Southeast Asian heritage. Specifically, the experience includes two elegant dinners at Zeytoun. The Nautilus’s signature overwater restaurant, where panoramic ocean views provide a peaceful setting for guests to enjoy his carefully crafted tasting menus.

Moreover, the resort will host a sunset cocktail soirée at the Naiboli Poolside Bar, offering a relaxed, barefoot-chic atmosphere. Guests can savor bespoke canapés made by Chef Darren while they enjoy curated music and the warm Maldivian evening breeze. Perfect for leisurely conversations.

At the heart of this event, Chef Darren’s Global Discovery menu takes center stage. This modern take on Southeast Asian cuisine balances French culinary techniques with regional flavors. Notably, the menu highlights:

  • Locally and regionally sourced ingredients
  • Bold spices, delicate herbs, and fermented elements
  • Sustainably harvested seafood

Each dish expresses a thoughtful dialogue between tradition and innovation. Celebrating Malaysia’s multicultural roots while embracing creative freedom.

Chef Darren Chin described the collaboration’s deeper meaning

“This collaboration is about more than cuisine. It’s about creating space — for the ingredient, for emotion, for reflection. The Nautilus offers the perfect canvas for that kind of artistry — where each dish becomes a conversation between craft and place.”

Together, the combination of island settings: Zeytoun’s serene overwater dining and Naiboli’s inviting poolside vibe, provides the perfect backdrop for this exceptional gastronomic residency.

Chef Darren Chin’s Culinary Vision and Legacy

Chef Darren Chin blends tradition and modern creativity in his cuisine. After he graduated with highest honours from Le Cordon Bleu Paris, he returned to Malaysia and established DC Restaurant, which has become a cornerstone of contemporary Malaysian fine dining. The restaurant earned its first Michelin star in 2023 and retained it in the 2025 guide.

In recognition of his contribution, the French Republic awarded Chef Darren the prestigious title of Chevalier (Knight) of the Ordre du Mérite Agricole in 2025.

He grounds his approach to cooking in five core principles: a spirit of exploration, commitment to sustainability, dedication to sourcing local ingredients, pursuit of harmony in flavors, and a strong connection to culinary origins. These values continue to shape his innovative and meaningful dishes.

Event Details

Dates: 5–7 November 2025
Location: The Nautilus Maldives
Events Include:

  • Two fine dining dinners at Zeytoun
  • One sunset cocktail soirĂ©e at Naiboli Poolside Bar

For more information or to reserve your place, visit The Nautilus Maldives website.

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Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Unveils Vibrant House Reef and Celebrates with Aqua Week 2025

Maamutaa House Reef unveiled at Pullman Maldives Maamutaa Resort

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa warmly invites guests to discover an extraordinary underwater world just meters from its shore. Recently, the resort unveiled the Maamutaa House Reef, a thriving marine ecosystem known for its rich biodiversity and easy accessibility. In fact, it’s one of the Maldives’ finest snorkeling and diving spots, just a short swim away.

To celebrate this exciting milestone, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is gearing up to host Aqua Week 2025 from 13 to 20 July. During this week-long event, the resort brings together underwater exploration, environmental care, and creative marine experiences designed to inspire and engage guests of all ages.

What to Expect During Aqua Week 2025

Aqua Week also marks the official launch of the resort’s Seagrass Mapping & Awareness Project and offers guests unique chances to connect with the ocean like never before:

  • First, guided snorkeling tours invite guests to collect visual data on seagrass habitats while learning about their important role in the marine ecosystem.
  • Then, there are underwater content workshops led by Insta360, where guests get hands-on experience capturing vivid 360-degree marine footage.
  • Plus, underwater scooter rides powered by Edge K5 add a fun and thrilling twist to reef exploration.
  • On top of that, certified mermaid Gloria Xue hosts mermaid classes and performances, including fantasy-themed photoshoots and live shows at the Aqua Villa.

Altogether, this vibrant week blends sustainability, storytelling, and technology, encouraging guests to explore and protect the ocean in fresh and immersive ways.

Seagrass Mapping & Awareness Project: Protecting Marine Life

At the core of Pullman Maldives Maamutaa’s environmental efforts is its three-phase Seagrass Mapping & Awareness Project, which forms part of the resort’s commitment to sustainability under the Green Globe program. Seagrass meadows play a vital role in supporting young marine species and soaking up carbon, making their conservation absolutely crucial.

The project timeline is as follows:

  • Phase 1 (July) focuses on seagrass identification and mapping alongside resort staff and guests.
  • Then, in Phase 2 (August and September), guest-led snorkeling excursions help gather images and raise awareness.
  • Finally, Phase 3 (October) will feature the premiere of a short documentary highlighting the project’s findings and impact.

Throughout this process, guests are invited to actively take part in this meaningful conservation initiative, turning their vacation into a valuable contribution toward ocean health.

Maamutaa House Reef: A Living Marine Wonderland

Just 100 meters from the resort’s beach lies the newly revealed Maamutaa House Reef, a vibrant underwater habitat bursting with life and color. This reef stands out as a rare gem in the Maldives, offering exceptional biodiversity along with easy access. Visitors can spot green and hawksbill turtles, blacktip and whitetip reef sharks, colorful schools of parrotfish and angelfish, and sometimes eagle rays and octopuses, all within easy reach of the resort.

“This reef is not only accessible, it’s alive,” shares the resort’s marine biologist. “Guests don’t need to travel far to witness marine wonders. It’s an ecosystem that inspires awe and action.”

The journey to the reef is part of the adventure itself. Guests glide through flourishing seagrass meadows, essential habitats for marine life before reaching the reef’s drop-off. Here, hard and soft coral formations flourish, nurtured by the atoll’s natural geography and nutrient-rich ocean currents.

Signature Reef Experiences for Every Guest

The Maamutaa House Reef forms the foundation for a variety of engaging activities that suit all ages and experience levels, including:

  • Marine biologist-led guided snorkeling tours
  • Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) sessions launched right from the beach
  • Night snorkeling under UV lights, revealing stunning biofluorescent marine life
  • Citizen science programs focused on seasonal seagrass research
  • Kids’ Ocean Explorers, a fun and educational program designed for young marine enthusiasts

Whether guests are first-time snorkelers or seasoned divers interested in marine research, Pullman Maldives Maamutaa offers effortless access to unforgettable ocean adventures, with no boat rides or long transfers needed.

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is clearly setting a new standard for reef access, sustainability, and immersive marine experiences. For travelers eager to explore the Maldives through education, conservation, and discovery, this house reef, along with everything it inspires, offers a journey truly worth taking.

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