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.


Chinese Wok Partners with Amazon MX Player’s ‘I-POPSTAR’ as Official Food Partner

Chinese Wok Partners with Amazon MX Player’s ‘I-POPSTAR’ as Official Food Partner

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 8, 2025

Chinese Wok, India’s leading homegrown Desi Chinese quick-service restaurant brand, has announced its debut in the reality TV entertainment space with ‘I-POPSTAR,’ Amazon MX Player’s latest music reality series celebrating India’s independent music talent. As the Official Food Partner, Chinese Wok brings its bold, youthful flavour into the heart of music, culture, and creativity, strengthening its connection with the country’s vibrant Gen Z and millennial audience.

Produced by Rusk Media, I-POPSTAR features 25 emerging musicians competing across auditions, gala rounds, and the grand finale, mentored by King, Aastha Gill, Aditya Rikhari, and Parmish Verma. The show embraces diverse genres including Pop, Rap, R&B, Rock, EDM, and regional fusion, spotlighting originality and fresh voices from across India.

The collaboration reflects a shared spirit between the show and the brand. Today’s young India is ambitious, expressive, and constantly evolving, qualities that align with Chinese Wok’s “Wok Your Way” ethos, which celebrates individuality and hustle. The partnership takes shape through on-air integrations, backstage interactions, playful exchanges with mentors and contestants, and a unique challenge segment that blends flavour, creativity, and performance in true Chinese Wok style.

As part of the association, the brand will co-create an exclusive jingle with one of the I-POPSTAR contestants, infusing music and flavour into a vibrant brand experience. Beyond the screen, Chinese Wok will have a presence at key events such as the Mumbai premiere, Delhi finale festival, and youth showcases across major cities.

Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder & Director, Lenexis Foodworks, shared,

“Chinese Wok has always resonated with the ambition, pace and individuality of young India. Our partnership with I-POPSTAR is a strategic step in expanding our cultural footprint and engaging deeply with the country’s most dynamic, creative audiences. With 250+ outlets across 45+ cities, this collaboration signals the next phase of our brand evolution, where food, culture and creative energy meet.”

Adding to this, Vikas Iyer, Marketing Head, Lenexis Foodworks, said,

“I-POPSTAR is raw, expressive and unapologetically fresh and that’s exactly the spirit of Chinese Wok. We’re excited to join India’s next popstars on-screen, share fun flavour moments, and even co-create a jingle with one of the artists. It’s food, culture, music, and youth energy coming together and when cravings hit the stage, Chinese bole toh Chinese Wok!”

This marks Chinese Wok’s first-ever entry into the reality TV and talent ecosystem, a bold and strategic move that builds deeper cultural relevance with India’s young audience through music, humour, sport, and digital storytelling.


Three Brothers Distillery Launches Northern Pride Premium Blended Whisky

Three Brothers Distillery Launches Northern Pride Premium Blended Whisky

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on November 8, 2025

Three Brothers Distillery has announced the launch of Northern Pride Premium Blended Whisky, a new expression that embodies the strength and cultural spirit of northern India. The introduction follows the success of the brand’s earlier release, 55°North, which gained strong traction across Delhi and Uttarakhand, expanding the company’s presence in the premium whisky market.

Crafted from fine Indian grain spirit and blended with three distinct Scotch malts, Northern Pride delivers a smooth texture, delicate sweetness, and a balanced finish. Designed for those who value authenticity, it reflects character and craftsmanship over excess.

The whisky is a product of the distillery’s focused philosophy, honest production, controlled expansion, and respect for taste. From ingredient selection to design, every stage has been carefully developed with precision and clarity. The bottle’s clean, elegant look complements its refined identity, representing confidence without extravagance.

Varun Gupta, Founder of Three Brothers Distillery, shared his thoughts on the launch, saying,

“Our experience with 55°North gave us both insight and motivation to explore a fresh expression that connects to the northern ethos. Northern Pride reflects discipline, transparency, and genuine craftsmanship. Early response from both retailers and patrons has been encouraging, showing that drinkers recognise sincerity and skill. We look forward to strengthening our distribution across key cities and building a stronger reputation for Indian whisky that stands on merit.”

Production of Northern Pride Premium Blended Whisky follows a small-batch method, ensuring quality and consistency. Distribution has already begun in leading urban markets through select partnerships with premium outlets and bars, while wider availability across new regions is planned for early 2026.

With this launch, Three Brothers Distillery continues its journey from a single-label venture to a respected name among new-age producers. Its growing portfolio reflects commitment, accuracy, and relevance and Northern Pride carries that legacy forward, symbolising both the spirit of celebration and the pride of belonging.


BarNaan Brookfield Unveils a Fresh Menu Crafted by Chef Kailash Singh

BarNaan Brookfield Unveils a Fresh Menu Crafted by Chef Kailash Singh

By Hariharan U

Published on November 7, 2025

BarNaan Brookfield, one of the city’s most-loved spots for modern Indian dining, has rolled out an exciting new menu curated by Chef Kailash Singh and his Sous Chef. Known for blending traditional roots with contemporary twists, the restaurant’s latest offering captures the essence of Indian comfort food with a fresh, inventive touch.

The revamped menu takes diners on a journey through India’s rich culinary landscape,  where local flavours meet global techniques. From hearty classics to mindful modern options, the spread includes a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, with several gluten-free and dairy-free choices catering to today’s diverse preferences.

To start, guests can indulge in small yet flavour-packed bites like Cheese Balls with Roasted Tomato Sauce, Maitake Mushroom Hot Tea, and Homemade Vegetable Samosa, each dish reflecting the restaurant’s focus on freshness and balance.

The Small Plates section stands out for its creative flair and bold Indian character. Highlights include Asami Chicken Wings, Old Delhi Chicken Tikka, Amritsari Fish and Chips, and Andhra Prawn Thayir Sadam, all offering a playful yet refined take on beloved classics. For those craving rich and meaty indulgence, options like Seekh Kebab, Chicken 65, and the indulgent Lamb Chop Masala Couscous promise depth, aroma, and perfectly cooked textures.

Vegetarians have plenty to celebrate too from Yogurt Fried Dumplings and Tandoori Paneer Tikka to Lahsuni Gobhi, Vada Pao, and the irresistible street-style favourites Mumbai Bhel, Aloo Tikki Chaat, and Dahi Puri served with mango, avocado, and yogurt mousse.

Speaking about the new menu, Chef Kailash Singh shared, “Each dish on this menu is a story, rooted in Indian tradition but presented with a modern spirit. We wanted to create something that feels familiar yet exciting for every palate.”

With this refreshed lineup, BarNaan Brookfield continues to redefine how Indian cuisine is experienced — comforting yet creative, nostalgic yet refreshingly new.


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