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

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.

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

Maldives Inflight Kitchen has recently appointed Mahin Mohamed as the new Airline Relations Manager. In his new role, Mahin will be responsible for building and nurturing relationships with airline clients, managing negotiations, discovering new business opportunities, overseeing service delivery, and staying on top of industry developments. His leadership will be crucial in strengthening partnerships and driving the company’s growth, especially as demand for inflight catering services rises alongside the airport’s expansion.

Ali Shakir, Group General Manager of Maldives Inflight Catering Group, shared his excitement about Mahin joining the team. He remarked,

“We are proud to welcome Mahin as our Airline Relations Manager. With his deep familiarity with this market and strong industry connections, Mahin is poised to drive our inflight catering services to new heights. As the airport expands, we are ready to meet the growing demand, catering to private jets and commercial carriers with world-class culinary excellence. His leadership will be key in strengthening partnerships and boosting revenue, solidifying our position as the premier choice for inflight catering”

Mahin’s professional journey with Maldives Inflight Kitchen began at the Hulhule Island Hotel, where he initially took on the role of Accounts Payables Specialist. Over time, he progressed through the ranks, first becoming the HR Manager at the hotel and later assuming the same position at Maldives Inflight Kitchen. His strategic mindset, dedication, and leadership qualities have always made him an invaluable asset. Moreover, Mahin’s experience extends beyond the company. He has also worked as HR Manager at Medianet and served as the Political Director – Head of Minister Bureau & Head of Appointed Political Staff at the Ministry of Sports, Fitness, and Recreation in 2024. These varied roles have enriched his skills in organizational management and relationship building, which are essential for his current responsibilities.

Mahin holds a Human Resource Management Certification from Business Consultancy Pvt Ltd, which complements his strong foundation in leadership and people management.

Ashely Lim, General Manager of Maldives Inflight Kitchen, also expressed his excitement about Mahin’s new role

“We are thrilled to welcome Mahin into this pivotal role. His comprehensive experience across various sectors and his deep understanding of our organization makes him uniquely qualified to foster and strengthen relationships with our airline partners. We are confident that his leadership will contribute
significantly to MIK’s continued success.”

Mahin’s appointment is especially notable as he becomes the first local Airline Relations Manager at Maldives Inflight Kitchen in over 32 years. His key responsibilities will include being the main point of contact for airline clients, driving business growth, and ensuring that the company’s inflight catering services remain at the highest standard. Additionally, Mahin will be integral in identifying new opportunities and ensuring that Maldives Inflight Kitchen continues to offer innovative solutions.

Reflecting on his return to the company, Mahin shared,

“Coming back to a place where I’ve spent 15 years brings back a wave of memories and a sense of pride in how far I’ve come. The MIC Group has felt like family, helping shape me into the person I am today. I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited to contribute to the company’s ongoing growth.”

For over 32 years, Maldives Inflight Kitchen has been known for its exceptional inflight catering services, catering to both airlines and private jets. The company’s commitment to quality and reliability has led to continuous growth and solid relationships with customers and partners. With Mahin’s leadership, Maldives Inflight Kitchen is positioned for even greater success in the years to come.

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

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

02. What will be the new concept of H2O?

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

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

05. What is your opinion on Maldivian cuisine?

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Ali Shakir, Group General Manager of Maldives Inflight Catering Group, shared his excitement about Mahin joining the team. He remarked,

Ashely Lim, General Manager of Maldives Inflight Kitchen, also expressed his excitement about Mahin’s new role

Reflecting on his return to the company, Mahin shared,