Atmosphere Kanifushi Celebrates ‘Just Veg Festival’ with Chef Fabrizio Marino

Atmosphere Kanifushi Celebrates ‘Just Veg Festival’ with Chef Fabrizio Marino

By Nishang Narayan

Published on August 30, 2024

Atmosphere Kanifushi is delighted to announce the return of the much-anticipated ‘Just Veg Festival,’ set to take place from 21st to 26th October 2024. Now in its fourth edition, this year’s festival promises a week of culinary excellence against the stunning backdrop of the Maldives, featuring a special menu crafted by the award-winning Italian Chef Fabrizio Marino.

Chef Fabrizio Marino, known for his innovative and health-conscious Italian haute cuisine, will bring his expertise back to the idyllic shores of Kanifushi Island. Hailing from the prestigious Ristorante Maggese in Tuscany, Chef Fabrizio will once again captivate guests with his artfully presented dishes made from fresh tropical fruits and vegetables, creating a limited-edition gourmet menu that is as visually appealing as it is delicious.

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 Award-winning Chef Fabrizio Marino

The festival will be centered at JUST VEG, Atmosphere Kanifushi’s celebrated restaurant, renowned as the first purely vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives and a top-ranked dining venue on TripAdvisor. Guests staying at the resort will have the unique opportunity to indulge in the finest Italian and Mediterranean cuisine while enjoying breathtaking views of the turquoise lagoon.

This six-day culinary event is part of the Kanifushi Plan™, a comprehensive holiday package available to all resort guests, aligning with Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts' core philosophy, "Joy of Giving." The festival will showcase a thoughtfully curated menu, with each dish perfectly paired with wines selected by Atmosphere Core’s Director of Wines, Nicolas Laguette.

Highlights of the menu include "Happiness," an appetizer featuring coconut foam, pumpkin curry puree, fresh apples, broccoli, and tomatoes, drizzled with a raspberry, mint, and turmeric sauce, paired with the Martín Codax Cuatro Pasos Rosado. Main courses include “Gnocchi,” delicate potato dumplings in a rich beurre blanc sauce, complemented by Glenelly Glass Collection Chardonnay, and “Caramelised Aubergine,” an oriental-style dish paired with Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The menu concludes with "Bee-Side," a delightful yogurt and honey ice cream dessert, accompanied by osmotised strawberries and crumble, perfectly paired with White Rabbit Riesling.

“Bringing my culinary creations to the pristine shores of Atmosphere Kanifushi is a true honour,” says Chef Fabrizio. “The dynamic team at JUST VEG and the warm reception from guests drive me to strive for excellence each time. I look forward to introducing guests to the incredible variety and richness of vegetarian cuisine.”

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Raman Gomathi, Director of Food & Beverage at Atmosphere Kanifushi, adds, "At Just Veg, we’ve always been ahead of the trend in embracing flexitarian diets. It’s an honour to welcome Chef Fabrizio each year for our culinary festival, where he also leads workshops for our culinary team. Together, we keep the menu exciting for our guests."

A scenic 35-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport in Malé transports guests to the serene Atmosphere Kanifushi, where they are greeted by a 2-kilometre-long beach, swaying palm trees, and the pristine waters of Lhaviyani Atoll. The classic five-star luxury resort offers 162 stand-alone beach and water villas, ensuring an unforgettable stay in paradise.

About Just Veg:

JUST VEG is the first à la carte vegetarian restaurant in the Maldives, consistently topping TripAdvisor’s rankings. The restaurant serves gourmet cuisine inspired by Arabic, Indian, Mediterranean, and Jain traditions. Diners can enjoy their meals on a deck perched over the turquoise ocean, offering an exotic and immersive dining experience.

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About Atmosphere Kanifushi:

Atmosphere Kanifushi, a secluded tropical getaway in the Lhaviyani Atoll, is a five-star luxury resort that offers 162 stand-alone villas and suites spread along the beach or lagoon. The resort features airy living spaces, sophisticated interiors, and a premium all-encompassing holiday package—the Kanifushi Plan™, which includes a fine selection of wines, spirits, and dining options, as well as various activities like excursions, sunset fishing, snorkeling, and non-motorized water sports.

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About Atmosphere Core:

Atmosphere Core is a dynamic hospitality company with three distinctive lifestyle brands—THE OZEN COLLECTION, COLOURS OF OBLU, and Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. With nine resorts currently operating in the Maldives, the company has an exciting pipeline of properties in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and India, set to open within the next three years.

About Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts:

Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts is known for curating distinctive spatial experiences that immerse guests in the local culture, promising "A New Experience Awaits" at every destination. The brand portfolio includes Atmosphere Kanifushi, VARU by Atmosphere, and RAAYA by Atmosphere in the Maldives, along with several upcoming properties in India.


Golden Dragon Launches Dragon Bowls for a Contemporary Weekday Lunch Experience at Taj Coromandel Chennai

Golden Dragon Launches Dragon Bowls for a Contemporary Weekday Lunch Experience at Taj Coromandel Chennai

By Hariharan U

Published on June 23, 2026

Chennai’s iconic dining destination, Golden Dragon, has unveiled Dragon Bowls, a new weekday lunch experience designed to bring together the comforting flavours of Asia in a contemporary and convenient format.

Located at the renowned Taj Coromandel, the restaurant’s latest offering caters to modern diners seeking wholesome, flavourful meals without compromising on authenticity. Inspired by the Cantonese philosophy of harmony, each bowl is crafted to balance colour, texture, flavour, and temperature, creating a complete dining experience.

The menu features a range of thoughtfully curated bowls showcasing premium ingredients and traditional Asian cooking techniques. Highlights include the Emperor’s Fried Rice Bowl, featuring wok-tossed prawns over fragrant jasmine rice finished with chilli garlic oil and a soft-cooked egg, and the Silk Route Noodle Bowl, which combines flat wheat noodles, slow-braised pork, bok choy, and Sichuan pepper broth.

Guests can also enjoy the Clay Pot Treasures Bowl, where sticky rice, shiitake mushrooms, and soy-glazed chicken are finished tableside with hot oil for added aroma and texture.

Vegetarian diners are equally well catered to with the Jade Garden Bowl, a nourishing combination of edamame, lotus root, water chestnut, and tofu served in a delicate ginger-sesame broth over brown rice. Those looking for bolder flavours can opt for the Fire Dragon Bowl, available with Mala chicken or Mapo tofu, accompanied by pickled cucumber to balance its signature heat.

Each Dragon Bowl is completed with crispy wonton strips, toasted sesame, fresh scallions, and Golden Dragon’s house-made chilli crisp, adding layers of flavour and texture.

With Dragon Bowls, Golden Dragon continues to blend culinary tradition with contemporary dining preferences, offering Chennai diners a vibrant and satisfying weekday lunch experience.


Jigger Launches Spiced Tamarind, India’s First Sweet-Sour Ready-to-Serve Spirit

Jigger Launches Spiced Tamarind, India’s First Sweet-Sour Ready-to-Serve Spirit

By Hariharan U

Published on June 22, 2026

Jigger, India’s first Ready-to-Serve (RTS) shots brand, has announced the launch of Spiced Tamarind, introducing what it describes as India’s first sweet-sour spirit. The product will be available from June 2026 across Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Goa, with plans for expansion into additional markets.

The launch marks a significant milestone for the brand, which has spent over three years developing the product. Inspired by India’s long-standing love for tamarind-based flavours found in street food, chutneys, and traditional treats, the company sought to recreate the familiar sweet-sour balance in a full-strength alcoholic beverage.

According to Jigger, achieving the desired flavour profile required extensive research involving distillers, food chemists, and flavour experts from India, Canada, and the United States. The development process also included studying tamarind’s use in cocktails and beverages in Thailand, where the ingredient has long been incorporated into mixology.

The new Spiced Tamarind variant features a flavour profile built around bright tamarind notes, natural sweetness, and subtle savoury spice. It is offered at 37.5% ABV and is available in both a 60ml double-serve format and a 750ml celebration bottle.

Speaking about the launch, Anubhav Khanna, Co-Founder and CEO of Jigger, said the inspiration came from everyday Indian food culture and nostalgic childhood flavours. He noted that recreating tamarind’s characteristic sweet-sour balance in a spirit was a complex challenge that required years of experimentation and refinement.

Founded in 2023 by Madira Ventures, Jigger has positioned itself around transforming familiar Indian flavours into ready-to-serve spirits. Its portfolio already includes variants such as Meetha Paan, Coffee Toffee, and Litchi Rose.

With Spiced Tamarind, the company continues its focus on celebrating Indian taste profiles while expanding the possibilities within the country’s growing alcobev industry.


Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Brings Kashmiri Flavours to Nazaara with “Wazwan Tales”

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal Brings Kashmiri Flavours to Nazaara with “Wazwan Tales”

By Hariharan U

Published on June 22, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal is bringing the rich culinary traditions of Kashmir to Bengaluru with Wazwan Tales,” an exclusive dining showcase at its rooftop restaurant, Nazaara. The festival will run from June 19 to June 28, 2026, offering guests an immersive experience inspired by the celebrated Wazwan heritage.

Curated by Chef Nisaar Ahmad Khan and the hotel’s culinary team, the showcase highlights the slow-cooked flavours, aromatic spices, and royal traditions that define Kashmiri cuisine. Set against the open-air ambience of Nazaara, diners can explore a menu featuring signature dishes such as Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, Tabak Maaz, and Yakhni Pulao.

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The experience also includes charcoal-grilled seekh kebabs prepared fresh off the grill, along with vegetarian specialities like Nadru Yakhni and Dum Aloo Kashmiri. Traditional accompaniments including Kahwa, Sheermal, and saffron-and-almond Phirni complete the authentic Kashmiri feast.

Adding to the celebration, The Hebbal Cafe will host a special Wazwan Tales-themed Sunday Brunch on June 28, 2026. The brunch will combine Kashmiri delicacies with an extensive spread of Indian and international favourites, complemented by unlimited mocktails, live music, and a family-friendly atmosphere.

The hotel aims to recreate the grandeur of a traditional Wazwan feast, giving Bengaluru diners an opportunity to experience the flavours and hospitality of Kashmir in an elevated rooftop setting.

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