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.

image

 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.”

image

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.

image

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.

image

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.


Mirth Cocktail Bar Celebrates International Whisky Day with Signature Experiences

Mirth Cocktail Bar Celebrates International Whisky Day with Signature Experiences

By Hariharan U

Published on March 28, 2026

Mirth Cocktail Bar is marking International Whisky Day with a curated experience that brings together classic pours and creative cocktails for whisky lovers in the city.

Known for its thoughtful approach to mixology, the bar is offering something for both purists and experimental drinkers. Guests can choose from a strong back-bar selection featuring labels like Royal Salute 21 Year Old, The Macallan 12 Year Old, and The Dalmore 15 Year Old. Options such as Aberfeldy and Woodford Reserve add to the range for those who enjoy different whisky styles.

image

Beyond straight pours, the spotlight is also on the bar’s “Liquid Signatures” menu, where whisky is reimagined through creative combinations. Cocktails like Old Flame blend Maker's Mark with spiced coconut and jaggery syrup, while Mango Reverie pairs Johnnie Walker Black Label with raw mango cordial and a hint of chilli salt, giving it a local twist.

For those looking to try something different, Pour Me A Slice brings together Dewar's 12 Year Old with sake and cheese notes, while Ground Control uses Camikara 3 Year Old with a nutty orgeat base to create a textured drink.

The experience is designed to go beyond just drinking, offering a relaxed space where guests can explore flavours, discover new combinations, and celebrate the craft behind whisky.

With its focus on both tradition and innovation, Mirth continues to position itself as a go-to destination for cocktail enthusiasts in Bengaluru, especially on occasions that celebrate iconic spirits


Sheraton Grand Bangalore Marks Earth Hour with Zero-Waste Dining Experience

Sheraton Grand Bangalore Marks Earth Hour with Zero-Waste Dining Experience

By Hariharan U

Published on March 28, 2026

Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway is marking Earth Hour with a unique dining experience focused on sustainability and mindful consumption at The Persian Terrace.

Bringing together food and environmental awareness, the evening features a specially curated zero-waste, plant-based menu designed to go beyond the idea of a single hour and encourage long-term conscious living. The experience is further enriched with the presence of Suyash Mishra, who will share insights on sustainability and responsible practices.

Set in a calm, open-air setting, the experience focuses on using ingredients in their entirety, reducing waste while still delivering on flavour. The menu, crafted by Sunil Rai and his team, begins with pumpkin hummus served alongside vegetable skin crisps and a millet falafel bite. Guests can also explore a selection of mezze including beetroot hummus, baba ganoush, and green pea labneh.

The meal continues with light and comforting dishes such as spinach broth and Arabic lentil shorba, followed by warm mezze like vegetable sambousek and spinach fatayer. Main course highlights include creative cauliflower preparations and a plant-based take on tofu au vin, showcasing how sustainable ingredients can be both simple and satisfying.

Desserts round off the experience with black rice pudding and a millet-based date and almond basbousa. Complementing the food are sustainable cocktails like the Carrot & Lemongrass Highball and the Earthy Garden Cocktail, made using fresh, in-house ingredients.

Adding a thoughtful layer to the evening, Suyash Mishra will engage with guests, sharing perspectives on environmental responsibility and how small changes can make a larger impact.

With this initiative, the hotel highlights how dining experiences can play a role in promoting sustainability, encouraging guests to adopt more mindful choices in their everyday lives.


JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Hosts Chef Bruno Ferrari for Exclusive Italian Showcase

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar Hosts Chef Bruno Ferrari for Exclusive Italian Showcase

By Hariharan U

Published on March 28, 2026

JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar is set to host a standout culinary experience at its signature Italian restaurant, Romano’s, with an exclusive chef takeover by Bruno Ferrari.

The three-day showcase brings the internationally recognised chef to Mumbai, offering guests a rare chance to explore regional Italian cuisine through a specially curated dining experience. Known for his Michelin-recognised restaurant concepts across Asia, Chef Ferrari brings over two decades of global experience, along with a strong focus on authentic, lesser-known Italian recipes rooted in tradition.

Originally from Abruzzo, his approach to cooking stays close to heritage while presenting dishes with refined technique. The à la carte dinner menu across the evenings features regional classics that are not commonly found in the city. Guests can expect dishes like Pallotte Cacio e Ova, Orecchiette alle Cime di Rapa, and Brodetto di Pesce Adriatico, along with mains such as Agnello al Forno con Patate and Branzino al Limone e Capperi. Desserts include favourites like Pastiera Napoletana, Torta Caprese, and Cannoli Siciliani.

Adding to the experience, the restaurant will also host a specially curated Easter brunch, inspired by traditional Italian family-style celebrations. The spread will include a mix of cold and hot selections, live stations, freshly prepared pastas and risottos, and a dessert section featuring the iconic Colomba Pasquale.

Sharing his thoughts, Bruno Ferrari said, “Italy has hundreds of regional recipes that the world has never tasted. When I travel, my mission is always the same, to bring those stories to the table, with the same honesty and soul you would find in an Italian home or a family trattoria. Mumbai is a city that truly understands food, and I cannot wait to cook here.”

Prakash Chettiyar, Director of Culinary, added, “At JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, we are always looking to create dining experiences that go beyond the expected. Having Chef Bruno Ferrari at Romano’s is a truly special occasion, he brings with him an extraordinary depth of knowledge of regional Italian cuisine that is rare to find anywhere in the world, let alone in Mumbai. We are excited to welcome him and offer our guests a genuinely authentic taste of Italy.”

With this limited-time showcase, the hotel continues to strengthen its position as a key dining destination in Mumbai, offering experiences that go beyond the usual and bring global culinary perspectives to the city.

Stay up-to-date with the latest Hospitality news and trends in the Hospitality industry!

Subscribe to Hospitality news e-magazine for free and never miss an issue.

By clicking subscribe for free you agree to the Terms & Conditions and acknowledge our Privacy Policy.

Advertise With Us

We have various options to advertise with us including Events, Advertorials, Banners, Mailers, etc.