Home>Blog>Danish culinary icon Jesper Koch to lead chef training at Vakkaru Maldives
01 July 2026
Danish culinary icon Jesper Koch to lead chef training at Vakkaru Maldives
Vakkaru Maldives has announced a culinary collaboration with acclaimed Danish chef Jesper Koch, who will visit the resort from 16 to 28 July 2026 to lead a programme centred on professional development, culinary training and knowledge exchange.
For chefs and hospitality professionals, the collaboration places a strong emphasis on mentorship and skills development, with Chef Koch working alongside the resort’s culinary and service teams before returning later this year for a broader guest dining programme.
Widely regarded as one of Denmark’s leading culinary figures, Chef Koch brings more than 30 years of experience spanning restaurant operations, hospitality, entrepreneurship and culinary education. Throughout his career, he has led Michelin-recognised restaurants, been named Danish Chef of the Year, represented Denmark at the prestigious Bocuse d'Or, received an honorary diploma from the Danish Gastronomic Academy and been recognised as "Chef’s Chef" by the Danish Gastronomy Foundation. He is also well known as a long-serving judge on the Danish edition of MasterChef.
Unlike many visiting chef programmes that focus primarily on guest dining, Chef Koch’s first residency at Vakkaru will prioritise internal capability building.
The programme includes kitchen training sessions, service workshops, coffee education and hospitality training, alongside collaborative cooking sessions with the resort’s culinary brigade. Through these activities, Chef Koch will share insights drawn from decades of experience as a chef, restaurateur, mentor and culinary competition judge.
For chefs working in the Maldives, such initiatives provide valuable opportunities to gain exposure to international techniques, kitchen management practices and service philosophies without leaving the country.
Although team development forms the core of the July residency, guests staying at the resort will also be able to participate in selected experiences. Chef Koch will host exclusive cooking classes on 22 and 25 July, providing an introduction to his Nordic culinary philosophy, while a management cocktail reception will celebrate the start of the partnership.
Ahead of the collaboration, Chef Koch said he was looking forward to working alongside the resort's culinary team.
“Vakkaru Maldives brings together exceptional gastronomy, authenticity, and world-class hospitality in an extraordinary setting,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to experiencing the natural beauty of the Baa Atoll and working alongside the talented culinary team to share ideas inspired by Nordic traditions while creating memorable dining experiences for Vakkaru’s guests.”
General Manager Teddy Susanto Wiryawan said the partnership reflects the resort’s commitment to continuous learning and culinary excellence.
“At Vakkaru Maldives, we believe exceptional dining begins with curiosity, learning and a genuine passion for hospitality,” he said.
“Chef Jesper’s visit provides a valuable opportunity for our teams to exchange ideas with one of Scandinavia’s most respected chefs while offering guests an early introduction to his approach to cooking.”
Chef Koch is expected to return to Vakkaru later this autumn for a more extensive culinary programme, featuring a series of Nordic-inspired dining experiences across the resort.
For the Maldives culinary community, the collaboration demonstrates the increasing importance of international chef partnerships that combine guest experiences with long-term investment in team development, professional training and culinary innovation.
