Home>Blog>Chef Omar Allibhoy headlines Kandima Maldives Eid culinary celebrations
26 May 2026
Chef Omar Allibhoy headlines Kandima Maldives Eid culinary celebrations
Kandima Maldives has announced a three-day Eid ul Adha programme combining Maldivian culinary traditions, live entertainment and international chef collaboration, with a special appearance by Spanish chef Omar Allibhoy set to highlight the celebrations.
Running from 25 to 28 May under the theme Eid at Kandima: A Maldivian Island Celebration, the programme will feature a series of dining experiences and cultural activities across the resort’s restaurants and entertainment venues.
For chefs and hospitality professionals, the programme reflects the growing focus on destination-led dining, chef collaborations and culturally rooted culinary storytelling within Maldives resorts.
The celebrations will begin on 25 May with the resort’s ongoing Maldivian Mondays cultural series at Breeze Beach. Guests will experience Coconut Chronicles, a storytelling performance inspired by Maldivian heritage, accompanied by local snacks, refreshments and handcrafted coconut carts alongside live Boduberu performances.
On Eid day, 26 May, Zest restaurant will present a dedicated breakfast corner featuring Maldivian morning staples including Barabo, Curry Leaf Mas Huni, traditional chapati and coconut chapati, highlighting local breakfast traditions and island flavours.
The resort will additionally introduce a seasonal Baklava and Spanish Latte pairing at Deli and Aroma café from 26 to 28 May, adding Middle Eastern and café-style influences to the wider festive programme.
The evening dining experience at Zest will feature an Eid Special BBQ with seafood and meat selections before celebrations continue at Breeze with an Arabian Night event incorporating fire performances, live music and DJ entertainment.
A major culinary highlight of the programme will be the arrival of Omar Allibhoy, founder of the Tapas Revolution restaurant group and former chef at Maze by Gordon Ramsay.
Chef Omar will host a live sunset cooking demonstration on 27 May in collaboration with Kandima’s Executive Chef Ivan. Together, they will create a limited-time Spanish-Maldivian fusion dish for Azure restaurant, which will remain on the menu for three months following the collaboration.
The partnership reflects a wider trend in Maldives hospitality, where visiting chefs and fusion dining concepts are increasingly used to create seasonal culinary experiences and longer-term menu innovation.
As part of the chef’s visit, Kandima Maldives will also unveil the newly renovated agricultural section of Fresh Labs, the resort’s hydroponic growing space designed to support on-island ingredient production.
The space will cultivate herbs and fruits for use across the resort’s restaurants and beverage programmes, while also supporting future guest experiences including foraging activities and farm visits.
The Fresh Labs initiative highlights the increasing emphasis on sustainability, hyperlocal sourcing and garden-to-table concepts within the Maldives hospitality sector.
