Sun Siyam Vilu Reef unveils Tuscany restaurant with visiting Chef Fatjon Goga
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef will celebrate its 28th anniversary with the opening of Tuscany, a new Italian restaurant, and a series of culinary experiences led by visiting Chef Fatjon Goga from 28 to 30 October 2026.
The three-day celebration, themed “A New Rhythm of the Reef”, will also mark the debut of YAYA Beach Club, bringing together Italian gastronomy, interactive cooking, cocktails, music and wellness experiences.
For chefs and food and beverage professionals, the anniversary programme will introduce a new dining concept centred on Tuscan culinary traditions, seasonal ingredients and contemporary Mediterranean influences.
Chef Fatjon Goga to introduce Tuscany
The culinary celebrations will begin on 28 October with the grand opening dinner at Tuscany, hosted by Chef Fatjon Goga.
An Albanian-born Italian chef, Goga has worked in acclaimed kitchens including Don Alfonso and Arnolfo. He currently leads Osteria Grande in Arezzo’s historic Piazza Grande, where his cooking draws on Tuscan traditions and seasonal produce.
His culinary approach combines traditional Italian techniques with contemporary Mediterranean influences, placing emphasis on ingredients, preparation and flavour.
The opening dinner will introduce guests to Tuscany’s culinary direction while providing Sun Siyam Vilu Reef’s resident kitchen team with an opportunity to work alongside the visiting chef.
The restaurant will become a new addition to the resort’s food and beverage portfolio, offering Italian dining inspired by traditional flavours and leisurely meals overlooking the Indian Ocean.
Pasta masterclass and culinary storytelling
On 29 October, Goga will return to Tuscany to host an interactive pasta masterclass and dinner.
The experience will introduce guests to Italian pasta-making traditions, providing an opportunity to learn about preparation techniques and the relationship between ingredients, texture and cooking methods.
For culinary professionals, pasta making remains an important element of Italian cuisine, requiring attention to dough preparation, shaping and cooking to achieve consistency in the finished dish.
The masterclass will also allow guests to interact directly with Goga and learn more about the culinary traditions that influence his work.
On 30 October, Tuscany will host a special breakfast before the chef concludes his residency with a culinary storytelling experience in the evening.
The final session will provide another opportunity for guests to engage with Goga’s approach to Italian gastronomy and the cultural influences behind his cooking.
YAYA Beach Club expands F&B offering
Alongside Tuscany, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef will officially introduce YAYA Beach Club on 28 October.
The new venue will combine relaxed dining, cocktails, music and beachside gatherings, adding a social dining concept to the resort’s existing food and beverage experiences.
Its opening celebrations will feature British-born DJ and creative duo The Flag Twins, Kevin and Karl, alongside DJ Abee.
The anniversary programme will also include Float & Feast on 30 October, accompanied by live music from Chinese vocalist Zhu Zhihao, before a finale pool party at YAYA Beach Club.
The two new venues represent different approaches to the resort’s expanding culinary and beverage programme. Tuscany will focus on Italian restaurant dining, while YAYA Beach Club will offer a more informal setting built around food, drinks and entertainment.
Culinary experiences mark 28 years
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef opened in 1998 as the first resort in the Sun Siyam portfolio.
Its anniversary celebrations will also feature sound healing, yoga and wellness sessions led by visiting practitioners, alongside music and entertainment throughout the three days.
The introduction of Tuscany and YAYA Beach Club follows the resort’s addition of new villas earlier this year, forming part of its ongoing development.
For Sun Siyam Vilu Reef’s culinary team, Goga’s residency will provide an opportunity for knowledge exchange through restaurant service, an interactive cooking class and culinary storytelling.
From the opening dinner at Tuscany to pasta making and the introduction of YAYA Beach Club, gastronomy will play a central role in the resort’s 28th anniversary celebrations, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its dining offering.
