Swiss & Spanish Michelin-star Pop-ups launch in sought after holiday hotspot The Maldives

Velaa Private Island Brings the Best of Swiss and Spanish Michelin-Cuisine to sought after holiday destination The Maldives with Exclusive Four Hand Dining Experiences

To end the year with a bang, Velaa Private Island will be hosting two renowned Michelin-star Chefs - Matthias Schmidberger and Paco Pérez – to curate exclusive four hand dining experiences. Collaborating with Head Chef Gaushan De Silva, both Chefs will be creating a bespoke one-time-only dining menu, available to Velaa holiday guests this November and December.

Home to the standout fine-dining restaurant Aragu, managed by trusted and award-winning Head Chef Gaushan De Silva, Velaa Private Island is the only island in the Maldives home to a restaurant voted in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants this year. A culinary destination in its own right, Velaa also operates two other upscale restaurants, Tavaru and Athiri, two bars and the most exclusive wine cellar in the Maldives designed for the most sophisticated traveller in mind.

Matthias Schmidberger

Dates: 3rd November and 6th November

Swapping Switzerland for the Maldives this November is talented two Michelin star Chef Matthias Schmidberger, who is the Executive Chef at two Michelin star restaurant Cà d’Oro at Kempinski Grand Hotel des Bains St. Moritz and an expert in European cuisine. Matthias has an impressive past, working for some of the best restaurants in Germany, including Traube Tonbach, Baiersbronn, the Speisemeisterei, Stuttgart, the Restaurant Forest Sonnora, Dreis and last but not least in the Brenner's Park Restaurant in Baden-Baden.

Paco Pérez

Dates: 1st December and 4th December

Joining Velaa this December is expert Spanish Chef Paco Pérez, renowned for his expertise in seafood, his avant-garde approach, and focus on both the quality and sustainability of the ingredients he uses. Originally from Huelva in Spain, Pérez successfully holds 5 Michelin stars, two of which are in Miramar restaurant in LLança and two others in Enoteca restaurant in Hotel Arts Barcelona and Cinco restaurant in Das Stue Hotel, Berlin.

About Velaa Private Island

Nestled within the constellation of islands that form the Noonu Atoll in the Maldives, Velaa Private Island takes exclusivity to the next level with facilities and service that go beyond traditional resorts. Designed by award-winning Czech architect Petr Kolar as “an elegant fusion of Maldivian culture with contemporary luxury, intimate with Maldivian nuances”. Velaa Private Island is the realisation of a dream to create a ‘beyond luxury’ exclusive boutique hideaway in the Maldives. Velaa means “Turtle” in the local language – named after generations of sea turtles that flock there to nest and hatch. From a broader “bird’s eye view” which greets arrivals by seaplane, the island’s exclusive over-water villas are also constructed to resemble the head of a turtle, with the island forming the body. The resort comprises 47 private villas, houses and exclusive residences. While 18 of the 47 are built over water, the Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat, allowing even more privacy and exclusivity.