Home>Blog>Two-Michelin-starred chef Benjamin Peifer brings open-fire gastronomy to Kandolhu Maldives
06 June 2026
Two-Michelin-starred chef Benjamin Peifer brings open-fire gastronomy to Kandolhu Maldives
Kandolhu Maldives has announced an exclusive culinary collaboration with German chef Benjamin Peifer, bringing one of Europe’s most acclaimed contemporary chefs to the Maldives for two dining events this December.
For chefs and culinary professionals, the collaboration offers a rare opportunity to experience the work of a chef recognised for combining Japanese culinary techniques, regional German ingredients and open-fire cooking into a distinctive gastronomic style.
Chef Peifer was recently named Chef of the Year 2025 by Gault & Millau and is the chef behind the two-Michelin-starred Intense restaurant in Germany.
His culinary philosophy centres on deconstructing familiar regional flavours and rebuilding them through contemporary techniques, creating dishes that balance comfort, precision and innovation. Open-fire cooking plays a significant role in his cuisine, adding depth, texture and aromatic complexity to each dish.
Chef Peifer’s journey into gastronomy began with a bakery apprenticeship before moving into professional kitchens, where he developed his skills at renowned establishments including Zum Schwanen and Ketschauer Hof. In 2017, he opened Intense alongside his wife Bettina Peifer, who serves as maître d’ and sommelier.
At Intense, Chef Peifer has become known for combining traditional Palatinate cuisine with Japanese influences, producing a style that has gained international recognition for its originality and technical execution.
The collaboration at Kandolhu Maldives will feature two exclusive dining events during the festive season.
The first event, scheduled for 26 December, will present a bespoke four-course dinner preceded by a personal meet-and-greet session with the chef.
The second event, taking place on 29 December, will offer a five-course Wine & Dine experience, pairing Chef Peifer’s cuisine with selected wines.
In keeping with his culinary philosophy, neither evening will feature a published menu. Instead, guests will experience a surprise tasting journey based on the chef’s “no menu, trust the chef” approach, allowing ingredients, techniques and seasonal inspiration to guide the experience.
For culinary professionals, the residency highlights several key trends shaping contemporary fine dining, including chef-led storytelling, open-fire cooking, regional ingredient exploration and omakase-style dining concepts that place trust in the chef’s creative process.
The collaboration also reflects the growing role of guest chef residencies within Maldives hospitality, where resorts increasingly partner with internationally recognised culinary talent to create exclusive gastronomic experiences and broaden exposure to global dining trends.
With his combination of Michelin-level technique, Japanese culinary influence and regional European flavours, Chef Peifer’s residency is expected to offer one of the most distinctive chef collaborations of the Maldives’ 2026 festive season.
