A taste of paradise: Baros Maldives launches Chef’s Garden dining experience

Imagine stepping into a secluded paradise where your every wish is granted with genuine charm – that’s Baros Maldives, the original desert island. For years, we’ve poured our hearts into crafting authentic and exceptional experiences, always with you in mind. And when it comes to savouring the Maldives, prepare for a fine dining journey designed to enchant your senses. Introducing our new Chef’s Garden dining experiences: a celebration of the island’s natural bounty and a testament to the evolving landscape of Maldivian cuisine. As a natural island resort, unlike larger, more contemporary destinations, Baros is intimate in scale and has a deep respect for the delicate ecosystem it inhabits. This is reflected in our approach to dining, where we strive to source the finest ingredients, embracing the growing trend of garden-to-table cooking.

Why we love local and seasonal produce

The movement towards locally sourced, seasonal produce is reshaping the landscape of fine dining globally. Chefs are increasingly recognising the superior flavour and environmental benefits of using ingredients grown close to their kitchens. This philosophy not only supports local ecosystems and reduces carbon footprints but also allows for a deeper connection between the culinary team and the land.

Guided by the freshest ingredients, Baros’ culinary philosophy has consistently blended tradition with innovation to create exquisite flavours.

Our Chef’s Garden is a tangible manifestation of this commitment, allowing our chefs to craft menus inspired by the freshest harvests, ensuring a truly authentic and flavourful dining experience unique to the Maldives.

The Chef’s Garden experiences: immerse yourself in nature’s flavours

Our Chef’s Garden is a vibrant space where culinary artistry is inspired by the many native vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices we grow. Here, you can engage in unique activities that connect you with the inspiration behind our exquisite dishes.

Explore our three new Chef’s Garden experiences, from inspirational workshops to romantic dinner Maldives:

1. Island Infusions

Unleash your inner spice master

Join our chef for an insightful hour exploring the aromatic heart of our garden.

• What to expect: Begin with a guided tour, where the chef will introduce you to the diverse Maldivian herbs and spices flourishing in our garden. Learn about their unique characteristics and how they contribute to the tantalising flavours in our dishes, including Kan’du Kukulhu, Musamma – a chicken curry rich in spices – and Boashi, stir-fried banana blossom. The chef will then demonstrate the art of blending spices, revealing time-honoured techniques and their incredible benefits. Get hands-on and try your skills with a traditional pestle and mortar. As a delightful memento, you’ll receive a selection of fragrant Maldivian spices to take home. There is also the chance to enjoy an extended cooking class with the chef. Just ask when booking.
• Price: USD 100++ per person
• Duration: One hour
• Important: Reservation required

2. Morning Flow

Start your day with serenity and nourishment

Awaken your senses with a revitalising yoga or meditation session followed by a wholesome breakfast amid the tranquillity of the Chef’s Garden.

• What to expect: Your morning begins at 6:15 am with a peaceful transfer from the jetty to our Piano Deck, a wooden platform on the lagoon, just minutes from the Baros shore (timing may adjust with the sunrise). At 6:30 am, your private yogi will welcome you for a rejuvenating 45-minute yoga or meditation session, allowing you to embrace the stillness of the early morning. Surrounded by the turquoise sea, it’s the most idyllic spot to find peace and stillness. Following your session, you’ll return to the island at 7:15 am. At 7:30 am, the Chef will greet you in the Chef’s Garden with a refreshing Kurumba Shooter and chilled towels. You’ll then indulge in a selection from our Healthy Breakfast menu, including freshly pressed juices, fruit and berries, just-baked bread and pastries, avocado and poached eggs, house-infused yoghurt and so much more.
• Price: USD 145++ per person
• Duration: Two hours
• Important: Reservation required

3. The Ocean Harvest

From ocean to table: an exclusive culinary adventure

Catch your dinner on this memorable sunset fishing trip and enjoy the fruits of your labour in an atmospheric private dining experience in the Chef’s Garden.

• What to expect: Your experience starts at the jetty at 5 pm as you set off on a private sunset fishing trip, accompanied by our expert boat crew. You’ll then return to the island between 6:30 pm and 7 pm, where our kitchen team will collect your bounty at the jetty. Now’s the time to freshen up, as your feast is prepared. At 7:30 pm, enjoy an aperitif in the enchanting ambience of the Chef’s Garden. This is the perfect opportunity to discuss a personalised “surprise menu” and different cooking techniques with the chef, including any special requests on cooking the fish. At 8 pm, a beautifully arranged dinner will be served in the Chef’s Garden, creating an intimate and unforgettable culinary experience. At 10 pm, it’s time for a stroll along the moonlit sand before retiring for the night.
• Price: From USD 240++ per person (depending on the menu chosen)
• Duration: Four hours
• Important: Reservation required

What’s growing in our garden

Our Chef’s Garden flourishes with a diverse array of plants, each contributing its unique character to our culinary creations, including:

• Papaya: A sweet, vibrant fruit enjoyed fresh or in salads and desserts.
• Mango: Prized for its tropical sweetness and used in both sweet and savoury dishes.
• Stone apple: Offers a unique, slightly tangy flavour often used in juices and traditional preparations.
• Banana: A versatile fruit, enjoyed ripe, cooked or even in leaf form for wrapping food.
• Passionfruit: Its tart, aromatic pulp adds a tropical zing to drinks, desserts and sauces.
• Taro: A starchy root vegetable, a staple in Maldivian cuisine, used in various cooked dishes.
• Ginger: A pungent rhizome, essential for flavouring curries, marinades and beverages.
• Bittergourd: Like a touch of tartness that balances sweetness, the distinct bitterness of bittergourd adds a layer of complexity to curries and stir-fries, preventing them from being one-dimensional.
• Maldivian chilli: Small and fiery, these chillies provide a significant kick to local dishes.
• Maldivian rocket: A peppery green, adding a fresh, sharp note to salads and garnishes.
• Basil: An aromatic herb with a sweet and slightly peppery flavour, used in various international cuisines.
• Mint: Refreshing and cooling, ideal for teas, salads and as a garnish.
• Spinach: A leafy green, packed with nutrients and used in salads and cooked preparations.
• Romaine lettuce: A crisp, versatile lettuce forming the base of many salads.
• Aloe vera: Known for its medicinal properties, the gel is also used in refreshing drinks and skincare.
• Lemongrass: An aromatic grass with a citrusy flavour.
• Micro herbs: Young, delicate seedlings offering intense flavour and visual appeal as garnishes.
• Pandan leaves: Essential in Maldivian cooking, the pandan leaf imparts a unique, sweet and nutty aroma to both sweet and savoury dishes.
• Curry leaves: Aromatic leaves with a distinct flavour, crucial in South Asian and Maldivian curries.
• Moringa: Known for its highly nutritious leaves, used in various culinary and medicinal applications.

Romantic dinner Maldives: the Baros way

As a pioneering resort on one of the Maldives’ most breathtaking natural islands, Baros has been crafting unforgettable experiences since 1973, when this stunning archipelago was still a hidden gem.

Our island sanctuary, flourishing with lush vegetation, vibrant flowers and abundant wildlife, provides the perfect backdrop for moments of profound connection with nature, hand in hand with someone you love. To truly appreciate the story of Baros and the vital importance of our island’s delicate ecosystem, we invite you to explore our blog, Baros botanical: a natural island, where you can nurture your soul. Of course, nature isn’t the only thing to fall in love with here. Beyond the island’s captivating beauty, Baros offers exceptional dining in Maldives, designed to tantalise your senses. Our culinary offerings are an integral part of the Baros experience, reflecting our commitment to timeless luxury interwoven with delightful contemporary touches.

This is what makes us stand out when considering things to do in Maldives. Whether you’re sharing a Maldives romantic dinner under the stars or indulging in private dining Maldives surrounded by the lush greenery and fragrant herbs of the Chef’s Garden, every romantic dinner at Baros is crafted to be as unforgettable as the setting itself.

We can’t wait to welcome you to our island home.

Discover the art of fine dining in Maldives, rooted in our island’s bounty. Contact us at reservations@baros.com or call +960 664 2672 to plan your ultimate castaway island escape.

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