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.


Oohmami Debuts at Hyatt Centric Hebbal Bengaluru with Rooftop Pan-Asian Dining

Oohmami Debuts at Hyatt Centric Hebbal Bengaluru with Rooftop Pan-Asian Dining

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on July 21, 2026

 Hyatt Centric Hebbal Bengaluru has unveiled Oohmami, a new rooftop dining destination that brings together contemporary Pan-Asian cuisine, signature cocktails and immersive entertainment in a vibrant setting overlooking the city.

Located on the 12th floor of the hotel, Oohmami has been designed as a day-to-night destination where guests can enjoy bold flavours, curated music and a lively social atmosphere. The concept blends modern dining with engaging hospitality, offering an experience that extends beyond a traditional restaurant visit.

The opening marks a new addition to Hyatt Centric Hebbal Bengaluru's food and beverage portfolio, with a focus on creating memorable culinary and social experiences for both residents and visitors.

image

Commenting on the launch, Manuj Sawhney, General Manager, Hyatt Centric Hebbal Bengaluru, said:

“We are incredibly excited to reveal Oohmami to Bengaluru. This has been a deeply collaborative journey, with our teams thoughtfully curating every detail, from the design language and interiors to the culinary and beverage experiences to create a destination that feels distinctive, welcoming and relevant to a wide range of occasions. As we open our doors, we are excited to invite the city to TURN UP THE HEAT with us.”

The menu features a range of contemporary Pan-Asian dishes, including Cream Cheese Dim Sum, Seoul Spicy Prawn Ramyun, Bang On Shrimp, Tokyo Chicken Karaage, and Thai Galangal Dumpling Soup, showcasing a modern interpretation of Asian flavours.

Complementing the food is a thoughtfully curated beverage programme centred on contemporary cocktails, while live performances, curated music and immersive programming add to the rooftop venue's energetic atmosphere.

Launched on July 17, 2026, Oohmami is currently accepting reservations for dinner service, welcoming guests to experience a new rooftop dining destination where flavour, music and city views come together.


Jaypee Hotels Celebrates Mango Season with 'More Mango' Menu at The Boomerung Café

Jaypee Hotels Celebrates Mango Season with 'More Mango' Menu at The Boomerung Café

By Hariharan U

Published on July 21, 2026

Jaypee Hotels has introduced its exclusive seasonal 'More Mango' menu at The Boomerung Café, offering guests a refreshing culinary experience inspired by India's favourite summer fruit.

Curated by Executive Chef Harsha Pal Singh, the limited-period menu brings together fresh seasonal mangoes, premium ingredients, and contemporary culinary techniques to showcase the versatility of the king of fruits across beverages, appetisers, salads, and desserts.

Designed to celebrate the vibrant flavours of the season, the specially crafted menu combines traditional favourites with innovative creations, highlighting the natural sweetness of ripe mangoes while pairing them with complementary ingredients that enhance every dish.

The beverage selection includes refreshing classics such as Aam Panna, Mango Shake, and Mango Lassi, all prepared using handpicked seasonal mangoes. Guests can also enjoy a variety of light and flavourful starters including Mango Salsa with Nachos, Mango Avocado Salad, and Chicken Mango Salad, offering a refreshing balance of fresh produce, herbs, and vibrant dressings.

The culinary experience concludes with indulgent desserts such as Cut Mango with Ice Cream and the traditional Mango Shrikhand, bringing together classic Indian flavours with the richness of seasonal mangoes.

Commenting on the launch, Executive Chef Harsha Pal Singh said that mango is much more than a seasonal fruit, representing nostalgia, celebration, and togetherness. He added that the "More Mango" menu has been designed to honour this beloved ingredient while presenting it through fresh and contemporary culinary interpretations that create memorable dining experiences.

The introduction of the seasonal menu reflects Jaypee Hotels' continued focus on creating innovative dining experiences centred around fresh, locally inspired ingredients. By blending authentic Indian flavours with modern culinary craftsmanship, The Boomerung Café continues to offer guests unique gastronomic experiences throughout the year.

Available for a limited period, the "More Mango" menu invites families, food enthusiasts, and mango lovers to savour the flavours of the season while experiencing Jaypee Hotels' signature hospitality.


Dhaba Estd. 1986 Expands North India Presence with New Kanpur Restaurant

Dhaba Estd. 1986 Expands North India Presence with New Kanpur Restaurant

By Hariharan U

Published on July 21, 2026

Azure Hospitality has strengthened the expansion of its flagship North Indian restaurant brand, Dhaba Estd. 1986, with the successful launch of a new outlet in Civil Lines, Kanpur, marking another milestone in the brand's North India growth strategy.

Since opening, the restaurant has received an encouraging response from diners, reinforcing the brand's growing popularity and presence in the region.

Inspired by the timeless charm of India's traditional roadside dhabas, the new restaurant serves Dhaba Estd. 1986's signature menu featuring favourites such as Dal Dhaba, slow-cooked Balti Meat, Galouti Kebabs, robust tandoor specialities, handcrafted Indian breads, and an extensive selection of regional North Indian dishes. Guests can also enjoy the brand's recently introduced Desi Chinese menu, which blends nostalgic Indo-Chinese flavours with authentic recipes and consistent quality.

image

The Kanpur restaurant was launched under the leadership of Chef Kartik, Regional Brand Chef – Dhaba Estd. 1986, who led the entire pre-opening process. His responsibilities included kitchen planning, menu execution, recipe standardisation, chef recruitment and training, equipment planning, operational readiness, and ensuring the outlet opened in line with the brand's culinary standards.

Commenting on the launch, Chef Kartik said the response from Kanpur diners has been extremely encouraging since opening. He noted that the vision was to create a restaurant that remains true to the spirit of India's legendary dhabas while delivering the consistency and quality expected from a contemporary hospitality brand.

He added that signature dishes such as Dal Dhaba, Balti Meat, and Galouti Kebabs continue to be guest favourites, while the newly introduced Desi Chinese range has also received an excellent response, reflecting the brand's philosophy of preserving traditional flavours while introducing thoughtful innovation.

image

With over 15 years of culinary experience, Chef Kartik has played a significant role in the expansion of Dhaba Estd. 1986, leading menu innovation, recipe standardisation, restaurant openings, and culinary training across the brand. His emphasis on operational excellence and authentic North Indian cuisine has helped maintain consistency across every outlet.

The Kanpur launch marks another step in Azure Hospitality's expansion plans for Dhaba Estd. 1986. By combining traditional recipes, regional flavours, and contemporary dining experiences, the brand continues to strengthen its position in India's casual dining sector while introducing the essence of the country's iconic dhaba culture to a wider audience.

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.