Planhotel Hospitality Group, leader in resort and hotel management in the Indian Ocean, is once more hosting outstanding international chefs in its idyllic resorts in the Maldives and Zanzibar. Following the success of previous events, the group has renewed its partnership with the assocoiation of talented young chefs who all share a similar passion for their profession, a philosophy that is based on tradition and on the use of local products, and who combine creativity with mastery in the preparartion.
The fourth edition of this gourmet event with the star chefs of the Jeunes Restaurateurs brings new and exciting energy to the kitchens of the most exclusive Diamonds Hotels & Resorts. From January to April, for 14 weeks, forty-two JRE chefs from twelve different countries, will be creating unforgettable culinary experiences in the Maldivian Islands of Diamonds Athuruga and Diamonds Thudufushi – twin islands that rise up from the beautiful crystalline waters of the North Ari Atoll in the Indian Ocean, offering white sandy beaches and lush tropical vegetation, and a reef that protects an infinite number of marine creatures – and Diamonds Star of the East, one of the most exclusive properties on Zanzibar Island, immersed in a myriad of colors, the perfumes of African spices, and the flagship property of the Diamonds Hotels and Resorts of the Planhotel Hospitality group and member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.
Before the arrival of the JRE Chefs, Guest Star Chef Andrea Berton will prepare two dinners on the 28th and 30th of December in the Maldives (one on each island) and give two cooking lessons. It will then be the JREs turn to delight the palates of the guests in these enchanting islands with their unique dishes, and to sign the menus of the à la carte restaurants of the three resorts, spoiling guests with their signature dishes and offering a unique sensorial experience. The novelty this year will be a dinner prepared with the 4 hands of the JRE chef and the executive chef of Athuruga and Thudufushi, Giacomo Gaspari. An Ayurvedic cooking expert, Giacomo spent the summer as the guest chef of the Terrace Trecinquezero at THE VIEW Lugano, where he offered different menus based on the Ayurvedic doshas. His culinary philosophy is based on creating dishes that are natural, using high quality ingredients. The result is a fusion of Mediterranean cuisine, Oriental technology, the science of nutrition (he is an advocate of the Zone diet) and a perfect blend of the creativity of ingredients and the aesthetics of the elements.
As explained by Ernesto Iaccarino, President of Jeunes Restaurateurs, “this initiative has been welcomed enthusiastically by the entire association. It’s a great opportunity for them to be able to show off their talents in the dream locations of the Diamonds Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives and Zanzibar, and our young chefs will do their very best to create an event that is entirely unique in the world.” On arrival, each chef will carry out a show cooking performance organized in the relaxed atmosphere of the Buffet Restaurants: an informal get together to unveil their talents. However, the real culinary spectacle will be the “gala dinner”, an exclusive 6-course gourmet meal served in the stunning Over Water Restaurants of Athuruga and Thudufushi and the Ocean Blue Restaurant of Star of the East. Finally, real foodies will have the opportunity to attend cooking classes once a week, where the JRE chefs will reveal the secret recipes of their own cuisine. “Dining with the Stars, is an initiative that has come about thanks to Planhotel’s philosophy to ensure that every vacation is a unique, memorable, emotional and experiential journey,” says Sara Rosso, president and CEO of the Planhotel Hospitality Group. “We are happy and honoured to continue our collaboration with the young talents of the JRE and to see it grow, year after year. “
