COMO Maalifushi, the pristine island resort in the Maldives’ Thaa Atoll, has launched a series of exciting dining initiatives with the oversight of newly appointed Robert Shipman, Executive Chef and Director of Food and Beverage.
These include the ultimate private castaway dining experience on Lavadhoo – a small uninhabited island only 10 minutes by boat from COMO Maalifushi – that guests can fully privatize for small group lunches or romantic dinners. The island offers guests a back-to-nature BBQ experience with tiger prawns, yellowfin tuna and reef fish on the menu. Families with children can choose the castaway gourmet picnic, which gives the castaway life a dose of luxury with a picnic hamper featuring food from the resort’s skilled chefs.
Couples will fall in love with the private dining experience in Lavadhoo’s unique setting, with a romantic dinner for two set out under the stars or a champagne breakfast on the sandbar and served by a private butler two options for those looking for the ultimate in privacy.
British-born Shipman will also be overseeing Maalifushi’s three dining options: Tai, the Japanese-inspired restaurant serving fresh sushi and sashimi; Madi, with a range of local, Mediterranean and classic dishes served all day long; and Thila, the easygoing, family-friendly restaurant where the menu features salads, freshly cooked seafood and pizzas.
Before joining COMO Maalifushi, Shipman honed his skills working alongside celebrated chef Nobu Matsuhisa in the UK at COMO Metropolitan London, followed by a five-year stint as Executive Chef for Hilton Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan. Shipman is passionate about Japanese culture and cuisine, bringing a mix of Asian and Mediterranean creativity to the kitchens of COMO Maalifushi.
The island BBQ is priced from US$80 per person. The family castaway picnic is priced at US$700 for a family of four. The romantic beach dinner is priced from US$550 per couple, and the Champagne breakfast is priced at US$299 per couple.