The OZEN Collection: Leading the Culinary Renaissance in the Maldives

The OZEN Collection: Leading the Culinary Renaissance in the Maldives

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on June 27, 2024

The Maldives, often seen as a haven for honeymooners and romantics, has transformed into a diverse destination attracting luxury seekers, adventure enthusiasts, and culture aficionados. Amidst its breathtaking vistas and warm hospitality, the country is also becoming a culinary hotspot, thanks to innovative brands like THE OZEN COLLECTION.

THE OZEN COLLECTION, a renowned luxury hospitality brand in the Maldives, is at the forefront of this culinary revolution. Offering unparalleled gastronomic adventures, THE OZEN COLLECTION caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, making it a standout destination for food lovers.

At OZEN LIFE MAADHOO, guests can enjoy lavish Champagne Breakfasts with stunning ocean views and a diverse array of global cuisines, including Authentic Chinese, Heritage Indian, and Sri Lankan delicacies. The exclusive INDULGENCE™ Plan ensures a comprehensive and luxurious island living experience.

A highlight of OZEN LIFE MAADHOO is M6m, an extraordinary underwater fine dining restaurant. Here, guests can savor sublime seafood dishes while being enchanted by captivating underwater vistas. Another culinary gem at OZEN LIFE MAADHOO is Lonu, which reimagines Maldivian cuisine with a 'New Age' twist, served in eco-conscious clayware in a charming oceanside setting. Lonu, meaning salt in Dhivehi, features handmade flavored salts, and every dish tells a story that immerses travelers in the nation's rich culinary heritage.

Over at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, guests are treated to a symphony of culinary wonders against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean. The resort offers personalized dining experiences and a selection of specialty restaurants and bars that elevate the stay to new heights of luxury. ORIGINƎ promises a culinary journey engaging all the senses, with each dish being a refined masterpiece complemented by carefully selected wines from renowned vineyards worldwide. Meanwhile, Saffron celebrates the tradition of Indian gastronomy with culturally inspired dishes from India.

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Overwater scenery of the ORIGINƎ that resembles fine dining encounters at OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI

THE OZEN COLLECTION continually extends its hospitality experiences, from regular champagne and wine trips to the recent 'Master of Sushi' event featuring world-renowned Japanese Chef Satoshi Tsuru. These initiatives highlight the brand’s commitment to culinary excellence and innovation.

As the Maldives solidify their position as a premier luxury travel destination, THE OZEN COLLECTION stands out for its rich hospitality and culinary heritage. It offers discerning travelers an unparalleled fusion of local flavors and international flair.

About THE OZEN COLLECTION

THE OZEN COLLECTION, part of the Atmosphere Core portfolio, curates timeless sanctuaries characterized by Refined Elegance. The brand includes two resorts in the Maldives, OZEN LIFE MAADHOO and OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, with future openings planned for OZEN PRIVÉ ATHIRI GILI in the Maldives (2025), and resorts in India and Sri Lanka.

About Atmosphere Core

Atmosphere Core is a dynamic international hospitality company with three distinctive lifestyle brands: THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU, and Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. The company operates nine resorts in the Maldives and has an expanding pipeline of new properties across the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India. Each Atmosphere Core property features distinctive design, an authentic sense of place, inspiring service styles, and the finest cuisine.


Chinese Wok and Big Bowl Shine with National Awards in 2025

Chinese Wok and Big Bowl Shine with National Awards in 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 10, 2025

Lenexis Foodworks, a key player in India’s quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, has made a remarkable mark in 2025, with its brands Chinese Wok and Big Bowl sweeping top honours across multiple award platforms nationwide. These recognitions reflect the group’s consistent growth, operational strength, and deep connection with Indian consumers.

Chinese Wok, the company’s flagship brand, was crowned QSR Chain of the Year at the ET Great India Retail Awards, and was celebrated as a Category Disruptor in the Restaurants, QSR & Food Services segment at the ET Brand Disrupt Awards. Its innovation in digital engagement was recognized with a win at the MOMMY Awards 2025 for Best Use of AR/VR, showcasing its shift towards experiential marketing.

At the Food Connoisseurs India Awards 2025, Chinese Wok earned the title of Best Quick Service Restaurant Chain - West India. Regionally, it stood out at the Times Food & Nightlife Awards with multiple titles including:

  • Best Asian Casual Dining – Navi Mumbai and Thane

  • Best Chinese Restaurant – Thane, Navi Mumbai, Jaipur, and Noida

  • Best QSR Casual Dining – Gurgaon

On the delivery front, the Swiggy Awards 2025 recognized Chinese Wok’s popularity across several cities:

  • Best Chinese:

    • Rank 1 in Madurai, Amritsar, Mysore

    • Rank 2 in Vadodara, Mumbai, Faridabad, Kanpur

    • Rank 3 in Jalandhar, Chennai, Vijayawada, Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur

  • Best Momos – Chennai

  • Best Newcomer – Manipal

Meanwhile, Big Bowl, the cloud kitchen brand from Lenexis, won Cloud Kitchen of the Year – West India at the Food Connoisseurs India Awards, and ranked second in Best Chinese (Amritsar) at the Swiggy Awards.

These accolades come as Lenexis Foodworks pursues its vision of scaling up to 500 stores by 2027, opening 100 new outlets annually. From one outlet in 2015, the company has grown to over 235 locations in 35+ cities, positioning Chinese Wok as India’s largest Chinese QSR chain. The group is also expanding into East India with aggressive growth plans in Kolkata and neighbouring markets.

2025 also marked a year of fresh innovations. Chinese Wok launched new street-style offerings such as Kurkure Momos and Desi Chowmein, tailored to local tastes. The brand also debuted its cricket season ad campaign, blending themed visuals, contests, and special packaging.

Lenexis Foodworks continues to invest in storytelling and community efforts, from school outreach programs to revamped in-store experiences, strengthening its identity as a vibrant, home-grown brand. As it celebrates a decade of impact, the company is set to redefine Asian fast food experiences across India.


Via Bianca Brings Soulful Regional Italian Dining to Delhi with CYK Hospitalities

Via Bianca Brings Soulful Regional Italian Dining to Delhi with CYK Hospitalities

By Nishang Narayan

Published on June 3, 2025

Via Bianca, a charming new destination for regional Italian cuisine, has officially opened its doors at N Block Market, GK I, New Delhi. Conceptualised and launched with the support of CYK Hospitalities, India’s premier F&B consultancy, Via Bianca promises a refined, heartfelt culinary experience rooted in tradition and authenticity.

At the heart of this venture is Chef Kamalika Anand, an alumna of Le Cordon Bleu, London, and ALMA, Italy. With experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and deep immersion in the European culinary world, Chef Kamalika envisioned a space that pays homage to Italy’s diverse regional fare. "Via Bianca has lived in my head and heart for a long time. It's more than a restaurant—it's a tribute to the Italy I studied, lived, and loved," she shared.

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The restaurant’s ambience blends rustic Italian charm with contemporary elegance. Features like an open kitchen, wood-fired oven, and a pasta shaping station enhance the dining experience, offering guests an immersive look into the culinary craft.

The menu takes diners on a journey across Italy’s regions, with dishes such as Strata Bianca di Zucchini, Spaghetti all'Assassina, and Tigelle 'Nduja, reflecting both skill and soul. From seasoned gourmets to curious foodies, Via Bianca aims to make authentic Italian cuisine both accessible and memorable.

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CYK Hospitalities played an instrumental role in bringing this vision to life—from designing ergonomic kitchen workflows to curating the entire guest journey. "Via Bianca is a reflection of meaningful collaboration. We saw Kamalika's passion and aligned it with a solid framework, from planning to execution," said Pulkit Arora, Director of CYK Hospitalities.

With its soulful food, striking interiors, and operational finesse, Via Bianca is more than a restaurant—it's a culinary landmark in the making. Backed by CYK Hospitalities' end-to-end brand-building expertise, it stands poised to redefine experiential dining in Delhi.

About CYK Hospitalities

Founded by Pulkit Arora and Simranjeet Singh, CYK Hospitalities is a full-service F&B consultancy providing turnkey solutions across the hospitality spectrum—from concept creation and chef hiring to menu engineering, SOP design, branding, and market strategy.


Bluebop Subs: Mumbai’s New Gourmet Sandwich Delivery from The Bluebop Café

Bluebop Subs: Mumbai’s New Gourmet Sandwich Delivery from The Bluebop Café

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 31, 2025

Craving a sandwich that truly hits the spot? Bluebop Subs, the latest venture from the team behind Mumbai’s beloved Bluebop Café, is here to transform your sandwich experience. Now available for delivery on Swiggy, Bluebop Subs brings handcrafted, chef-driven sandwiches right to your doorstep — all made with in-house baked breads, premium ingredients, and a generous dollop of soul.

Where Craft Meets Craving

Bluebop Subs is not just another sandwich brand; it carries forward the Bluebop Café’s legacy of quality, creativity, and flavour. Each sandwich is crafted with care, featuring breads baked fresh in-house, including hearty rye and gluten-free options for mindful eaters. Whether you’re a vegetarian, meat lover, classic fan, or flavour adventurer, there’s a sandwich here made just for you.

Eesha Sukhi, Director of The Bluebop Café, shares, “We’ve poured the same care and craftsmanship into Bluebop Subs that made The Bluebop Café what it is today. This launch is a celebration of flavour, convenience, and creativity. We wanted to bring restaurant-quality sandwiches to your homes without compromise.”

A Menu That Sparks Joy

Expect a lineup of sandwiches that go beyond the ordinary:

  • The OG Fried Chicken sub with slaw and house sauce

  • Bright, creamy Egg & Avocado delight

  • Indulgent Pepperoni Melt

  • Spicy, satisfying Peri Peri Cottage Cheese

  • Crisp and creamy Caesar Chicken Salad

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  • Classic favourites like Caprese, Ham & Cheese, and BLT

  • Wholesome vegan options like Tofu Green Delight

And for the sweet tooth, don’t miss their decadent dessert sandwiches:

  • Lotus Cheesecake Sub

  • Oreo Cheesecake Sub

From gourmet to comfort, health-conscious to hearty, Bluebop Subs is designed to deliver happiness, whether you’re working late, binge-watching your favourite series, or just really hungry.

Available now for delivery across Mumbai on Swiggy.
Follow them on Instagram: @bluebopsubs
Contact: 093722 02586

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