Michelin-Star Chef Nino Di Costanzo Brings Italian Flair to The Maldives at Blu Beach Club

Michelin-Star Chef Nino Di Costanzo Brings Italian Flair to The Maldives at Blu Beach Club

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on October 23, 2024

The Ritz-Carlton's Blu Beach Club at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is preparing for an unforgettable culinary collaboration this November. The resort is set to host two-Michelin-starred Chef Nino Di Costanzo, whose visionary talent from his acclaimed restaurant, Danì Maison in Ischia, will bring a taste of Italy to the Maldives. Known for blending Mediterranean flavors with local ingredients, Chef Nino's residency is a celebration of culinary artistry and cross-cultural exchange.

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Starting from November 11, 2024, Chef Nino will transform the dining experience at Blu Beach Club for an entire week. Guests will have the unique opportunity to savor his masterful creations, which fuse the island traditions of both Italy and the Maldives. His approach combines the freshest ingredients from Landaa’s herb and vegetable gardens with the rich flavors of the Mediterranean, creating a truly sensory dining experience. Chef Nino’s famous dishes, such as the 35-shape Pasta and Potatoes, Sea Bass with vegetables and herb sauce, and Breaded Veal Cutlet, will be on the menu for guests to enjoy.

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Chef Nino's philosophy revolves around creating a connection with his guests before the first bite is taken. His process of crafting a dish begins months in advance, with careful attention to every detail, including the selection of the perfect plate. His passion for merging nature and creativity aligns perfectly with the ethos of Landaa Giraavaru, a resort that emphasizes sustainability and a deep respect for the natural environment.

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As part of the collaboration, Chef Nino will work closely with Blu Beach Club’s culinary team, sharing his skills and insights. Four members of the team have already spent time training at Danì Maison, learning from one of the best in the business. This partnership not only elevates the guest experience but also provides invaluable career development for the resort's chefs.

Guests will be able to experience Chef Nino's gastronomy during two week-long residencies, from November 11 to 17, 2024, and again from February 13 to 19, 2025. After these residencies, Blu Beach Club’s chefs will continue serving a specially curated menu by Chef Nino to two tables of four each evening, offering an intimate and exclusive dining experience.

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According to Armando Kraenzlin, Regional Vice President and General Manager of Landaa Giraavaru, "Collaborating with Chef Nino will not only offer an inspirational culinary experience to our guests but also expose our culinary team to unique insights, advancing their skills in extraordinary ways."

For those interested in experiencing Chef Nino’s culinary magic firsthand, reservations can be made through the resort’s website or by contacting Four Seasons Resort Maldives’ Central Reservations Department.


Serious Slice Is Celebrating World Tiramisu Day With a Classic That Needs No Introduction

Serious Slice Is Celebrating World Tiramisu Day With a Classic That Needs No Introduction

By Hariharan U

Published on March 12, 2026

Some desserts don't need reinventing, they just need to be made properly. And that's exactly the philosophy Serious Slice is bringing to World Tiramisu Day this year.

The Bengaluru-based Neapolitan pizza kitchen is celebrating the occasion with its classic Tiramisu, a dessert that's stayed faithful to its Italian roots, made the way it's always been made, with no shortcuts and no unnecessary twists.

The dessert itself is a beautiful thing in its simplicity. Layers of espresso-soaked sponge sit beneath a smooth, luxurious mascarpone cream, the kind that's light enough to feel indulgent rather than heavy. Every bite brings together the aromatic richness of coffee with the soft sweetness of the cream, and a fine dusting of cocoa powder on top adds that subtle bittersweet finish that rounds off the whole experience perfectly.

At Serious Slice, tiramisu isn't just a dessert on the menu it's a reflection of how the restaurant approaches Italian food overall. The brand is rooted in traditional technique, ingredient integrity, and a deep respect for the craft behind Neapolitan cuisine. The same care that goes into their wood-fired pizzas,through slow fermentation, high-heat cooking, and quality ingredients,goes into how they've approached this dessert.

It pairs naturally with the rest of their menu, making it the kind of ending to a meal that feels considered rather than added as an afterthought. Whether you're coming in for the pizza and staying for dessert, or making a dedicated World Tiramisu Day stop, the classic at Serious Slice is worth every bite.

Serious Slice has two locations in Bengaluru,Cunningham Road and RR Nagar.


McDonald’s India Recreates Iconic Ad with Sara Arjun for Buddy Meal

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on March 12, 2026

McDonald’s India – North and East has announced actor Sara Arjun as its Brand Ambassador, bringing back a familiar face many viewers remember from one of the brand’s popular television commercials. Years after appearing in the ad as a child, Sara now returns in a new role, marking a nostalgic moment for both the brand and its audience.

The collaboration coincides with the launch of McDonald’s new Buddy Meal, a value offering created for friends who enjoy sharing food and spending time together. The campaign is introduced through a fresh television commercial that also revisits the playful tone of the earlier advertisement.

The Buddy Meal includes two burgers,  customers can choose between the McAloo Tikki or Veg Surprise, along with two Coke and one medium fries. The meal brings together some of McDonald’s familiar favourites in a simple combo designed for two people.

The new film recreates the well-known “girlfriend–boyfriend” banter from the earlier campaign, adding a humorous and relatable twist. In the ad, Sara jokingly talks about how relationships today can feel “too demanding,” with her buddy expecting big gestures and even a bit of “princess treatment.” The moment takes a lighter turn when he admits that all he really wants is a McAloo Tikki, reminding viewers that sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy.

The playful exchange ends with the voiceover saying, “Shukar hai McDonald’s Buddy Meal for 2 hai… starts at just ₹119.” The film concludes with the two sharing the meal together, reinforcing the campaign message “Khao Meal, Baat Ke,” which celebrates sharing food, laughter, and easy moments with friends.

Commenting on the announcement, Anant Agarwal, Vice Chairman, MMG Group and CPRL, said,

“At McDonald’s India – North and East, we have always believed in creating moments that bring people together. Sara’s return to McDonald’s is a wonderful reminder of the deep emotional connections many customers have grown up with. With the Buddy Meal, we are celebrating friendship, nostalgia and the simple joy of sharing a McDonald’s meal together at great value.”

Sharing her thoughts on the collaboration, Actor Sara Arjun said,

“McDonald’s has been a special part of my journey since childhood. Returning to the brand for this campaign feels incredibly nostalgic. The Buddy Meal captures the simple joy of sharing food and laughter with friends, and it’s wonderful to be part of a story that brings back such fond memories while creating new ones.”

By bringing back a familiar face from one of its memorable campaigns, McDonald’s India – North and East taps into the nostalgia many customers associate with the brand, while also inviting a new generation to create their own moments at McDonald’s.

The Buddy Meal is available for a limited period across McDonald’s restaurants in North and East India, and can be ordered through dine-in, takeaway, drive-thru, the McDonald’s App, and leading food delivery platforms.


Chef Hari Nayak Is Back at Four Seasons Maldives — and the Menu Looks Absolutely Stunning

Chef Hari Nayak Is Back at Four Seasons Maldives — and the Menu Looks Absolutely Stunning

By Hariharan U

Published on March 10, 2026

If you've been looking for a reason to plan a Maldives trip this April, Chef Hari Nayak just gave you one.

The celebrated chef is returning to Baraabaru, the award-winning Indian restaurant at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa for another residency that promises to be every bit as special as his previous visits. Baraabaru, named among CNN Travel's Top 10 Maldives' Finest Tables, is already one of the most respected Indian dining destinations in the region. With Chef Nayak back in the kitchen alongside Head Chef Kishan Singh, the combination of coastal Indian tradition and global culinary technique is going to be firing on all cylinders.

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This season's menu is a confident journey through India's regional flavours but done with personality and a contemporary edge that makes each dish feel fresh. Gujarat's Anda Ghotala makes an appearance alongside Kolkata's Beguni, while black garlic naan and barbecue butter chicken chops bring bold, satisfying flavours to the table. And then there's the gulab jamun crème brûlée, a playful, East-meets-West dessert that sounds like exactly the kind of thing you'd remember long after the meal ends.

The dish that's likely to turn the most heads, though, is Chef Nayak's signature whole baked lobster with coconut turmeric sauce and lemon rice. Bold, fragrant, and unmistakably his, it's the kind of dish that captures everything great about modern Indian cooking in a single plate.

Chef Nayak will be in residence at Baraabaru from 30th March to 4th April 2026. It's a short window, so if this is on your radar, now is the time to make it happen.

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