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.


Haldiram's Expands Punjab Presence with New Store Launch in Gurdaspur

Haldiram's Expands Punjab Presence with New Store Launch in Gurdaspur

By Hariharan U

Published on July 24, 2026

Haldiram's has strengthened its presence in Punjab with the launch of a new retail and dining outlet in Gurdaspur, further expanding its growing network across North India. Located at West Ville, Pathankot Bypass, Amritsar Highway, Dinanagar, the new store offers customers a comprehensive food and retail experience under one roof.

The newly opened outlet combines dine-in facilities with Haldiram's extensive portfolio of sweets, snacks, bakery products, frozen foods, ready-to-eat meals, beverages, and packaged food offerings. Designed as a convenient destination for both local residents and travellers, the store reflects the brand's continued focus on enhancing accessibility across key regional markets.

Guests can enjoy a diverse dining menu featuring North Indian and South Indian cuisine, chaats, traditional Indian sweets, bakery products, and popular street food favourites. The restaurant has been developed to provide a contemporary yet comfortable dining experience while maintaining the authentic flavours associated with the Haldiram's brand.

Beyond the dine-in experience, the outlet also houses Haldiram's complete retail range, including its signature namkeens, frozen foods, ready-to-eat products, beverages, and curated gifting options, enabling customers to enjoy the brand's products both at home and on the go.

The opening of the Gurdaspur outlet reinforces Haldiram's strategy of expanding into emerging regional markets while making its diverse culinary offerings more accessible to consumers across the country. The company continues to strengthen its national retail footprint by combining restaurant experiences with comprehensive food retail under a single destination.


NV Group Launches Stainley Gold Whisky and Blue Moon Minty Jamun Vodka, Expands Premium Spirits Portfolio

NV Group Launches Stainley Gold Whisky and Blue Moon Minty Jamun Vodka, Expands Premium Spirits Portfolio

By Hariharan U

Published on July 24, 2026

NV Group has announced the launch of two new products Stainley Gold, a premium blended Indian whisky, and Blue Moon Minty Jamun, a flavoured vodka as the company strengthens its presence in India's rapidly growing premium spirits market.

The launches mark NV Group's entry into two highly competitive spirits categories, targeting aspirational whisky consumers and younger adults seeking flavour-led drinking experiences. Initially introduced in Delhi, both brands will be rolled out across Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Chandigarh, Goa, and Maharashtra, with the company aiming to establish a presence in at least 10 states by FY2026–27.

According to the company, India's premium spirits segment continues to witness strong momentum, driven by rising consumer preference for premium products and increasing demand from Tier-II cities. Whisky remains the country's largest spirits category, while flavoured vodka is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments.

Stainley Gold is a premium blended Indian whisky crafted using matured imported Scotch malts blended with Indian grain spirit. Bottled at 42.8% ABV, the whisky offers notes of soft oak, vanilla, and dried fruit. In Delhi, it is priced at ₹700 for a 750 ml bottle and will also be available in 375 ml, 180 ml, 90 ml, and 60 ml pack sizes.

Blue Moon Minty Jamun is a rice-based flavoured vodka distilled three times and bottled at 37.5% ABV. Featuring a jamun-forward flavour profile balanced with a light mint finish, the vodka is designed for cocktails, highballs, and shots. It is priced at ₹600 for a 750 ml bottle in Delhi and will also be offered in 375 ml and 180 ml variants.

Both products are manufactured at NV Distilleries & Breweries Pvt. Ltd. in Rajpura, Punjab, under the supervision of Ramesh Gaudo, Senior Vice President – Blending & Bottling, NV Group.

Commenting on the launch, Varun Jain, CEO & Founder of Smoke Lab, NV Group, said the Indian spirits market is evolving rapidly as consumers increasingly seek products that combine quality, authenticity, and distinctive flavour profiles. He added that Stainley Gold and Blue Moon Minty Jamun have been developed to meet these changing preferences while strengthening the company's presence across key spirits categories.

The launches further reinforce NV Group's strategy to expand its Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) portfolio across whisky and flavoured vodka. Over the next two years, the company plans to accelerate its state-by-state expansion while focusing on flavour-led innovation and premium positioning across India's evolving spirits market.

Founded by Ashok Jain, NV Group is an integrated alcobev company with operations spanning vodka, gin, whisky, rum, brandy, and beer. Through brands such as Smoke Lab and Mohulo, the company continues to expand its presence in both domestic and international markets while promoting contemporary Indian spirits.


AUM Premium to Launch Paper-Based Bottles by Year-End, Expands Sustainability Push

AUM Premium to Launch Paper-Based Bottles by Year-End, Expands Sustainability Push

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 24, 2026

AUM Premium, India's affirmation-led natural Himalayan spring water brand, is set to introduce paper-based bottles by the end of this year as part of its growing focus on sustainable packaging. The new concept is aimed at reducing the use of plastic while maintaining the premium quality and safety of the water.

The proposed packaging will use responsibly sourced paper combined with a food-grade barrier to minimise the use of conventional plastic without affecting the product's integrity. Its lightweight design is also expected to improve transportation efficiency and reduce the overall environmental impact associated with packaging and distribution.

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Through this initiative, AUM Premium is looking to develop packaging solutions that balance functionality, convenience and environmental responsibility while continuing to offer consumers a premium hydration experience.

As part of its wider sustainability efforts, the brand has also partnered with Scrapbuddy, a Delhi-based waste management and recycling startup. The collaboration will provide customers with an easy recycling programme for used bottles, encouraging responsible disposal of packaging waste and supporting the development of a more circular packaging ecosystem.

Commenting on the initiative, Jagriti Motwani, Founder & CEO, AUM Premium, said:

"Water is a product people consume every day, but the conversation around it has largely remained limited to purity and price. Packaging deserves equal attention. Our objective is to reduce unnecessary plastic wherever possible without compromising product quality. The paper-based bottle is one step in that direction, and we will continue exploring better alternatives as the technology evolves."

While conventional plastic remains the industry standard for bottled water, AUM Premium has chosen to explore more sustainable alternatives. Built around its philosophy of Affirm, Uplift and Manifest, the brand believes that delivering a premium product extends beyond the quality of the water to every aspect of the consumer experience.

Looking ahead, AUM Premium plans to continue reimagining its packaging approach as it enters its next phase of growth. With the planned introduction of 100% plastic-free bottles, the brand aims to take another meaningful step towards responsible packaging while preserving the premium experience it is known for.

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