Earth, water, air and whimsy shape Soneva dinner by Adam Dahlberg and Albin Wessman
Swedish chefs Adam Dahlberg and Albin Wessman translated the character of Soneva’s three Maldives resorts into a conceptual menu during the unveiling of “Soneva × Jacob Felländer: Joy Takes Form” in Stockholm.
Held on 23 September at Slakthusområdet, the event brought together art, design and gastronomy as contemporary artist Jacob Felländer reinterpreted Soneva’s iconic overwater waterslide as a large-scale sculpture exploring movement, freedom and imagination.
For the culinary component, Dahlberg and Wessman created a menu inspired by the elemental identities of Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and Soneva Secret.
The courses were structured around Earth, Water and Air, before concluding with a final course titled Whimsy.
Earth drew inspiration from the lush jungle environment of Soneva Fushi, while Water reflected the lagoon and overwater character of Soneva Jani. Air represented the remoteness and sense of openness associated with Soneva Secret.
The final course, Whimsy, extended the menu beyond landscape and into the wider Soneva philosophy of play, curiosity and imagination.
For chefs, the dinner demonstrated how a destination can be translated into food without relying solely on literal regional dishes. Instead, the menu used broader ideas of environment, texture and emotion to interpret the identity of each island.
This type of culinary storytelling places concept development alongside technique. Chefs must consider not only flavour and presentation, but also how a course communicates a sense of place and how each dish contributes to the progression of the complete meal.
The dinner formed part of an evening bringing together Soneva guests and friends in Stockholm, with the hospitality brand positioning food alongside art and design as part of its evolving “Bare Luxury” philosophy.
The sculpture itself uses three materials representing past, present and future: weathered metal, mirrored surfaces and a lighter final layer suggesting possibility and movement.
“The slide was never just a slide. It is a reminder that luxury should make us feel something,” said Neil Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer of Soneva. “By reimagining the slide through his artistic lens, Jacob has captured the sense of curiosity, freedom and joy that has always been at the heart of Soneva.”
Felländer added that art has an important role in preserving qualities such as imagination, intuition and play.
The installation will remain at Slakthusområdet until 31 December 2026.
The collaboration will continue in the Maldives from 12 to 24 November, when Felländer takes up residence at Soneva Fushi as a Soneva Star, leading creative workshops for guests.
For culinary professionals, the Stockholm event offered another example of how resort gastronomy can move beyond the restaurant, using food as part of a wider creative narrative connecting destination, design and culture.
