PATINA MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS APPOINTS BEÑAT ALONSO AS DIRECTOR OF CULINARY

Veteran chef brings global experience and a deep respect for nature to lead the resort’s 13-restaurant culinary programme

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands is pleased to announce the appointment of Beñat Alonso as Director of Culinary. With over two decades of international culinary experience, including leadership roles at Michelin-starred restaurants and iconic hotels across the globe, Alonso will oversee the resort’s vibrant dining programme, comprising 13 distinct culinary concepts, as well as in-villa dining and the resort’s sustainable farming initiatives.

Originally from the Basque Country in northern Spain, Alonso’s culinary roots are grounded in a rich regional tradition where quality ingredients and a reverence for nature form the backbone of the food culture. Having trained under legendary chefs such as Martín Berasategui, and worked at esteemed establishments including Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Martin Wishart, and Pierre Koffmann, Alonso brings both classical precision and global sensibility to his role. His career has spanned the United Kingdom, Australia, Southeast Asia, and most recently included pre-opening leadership roles at Raffles Europejski Warsaw and the Four Seasons in Egypt.

Commenting on the appointment, Anthony Gill, General Manager of Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, shared: “Beñat’s passion, global expertise, and respect for the environment make him the ideal leader for our culinary programme. Under his direction, we’re confident Patina Maldives will continue to raise the bar for conscious elevated dining in the Maldives and beyond.”

At Patina Maldives, Alonso brings his guiding philosophy of thought, quality, and simplicity to life through a mindful culinary journey. With 13 distinct dining concepts on site, the resort offers one of the most diverse culinary landscapes in the Maldives, making it a natural home for his vision. From the refined Japanese-Nordic artistry of KOEN and the plant-rich elegance of ROOTS to the sun-drenched Mediterranean soul of Helios, each venue reflects a thoughtful expression of flavour, culture and craft. Under his leadership, the team also cultivates the island’s organic garden, a living pantry that nourishes many of the resort’s seasonal menus.

“Sustainability, ingredients, flavours, all go hand in hand,” says Alonso. “At Patina Maldives, we’re not just creating exceptional cuisine, we’re crafting experiences that are thoughtful, rooted in nature, and shaped by our surroundings.”

From elegant fine dining to barefoot beachside bites, Patina Maldives offers a dynamic culinary journey that celebrates global flavours, local sourcing, and sustainability at its core. Alonso’s leadership marks an exciting new chapter for the resort’s culinary evolution.

For more information, visit https://patinahotels.com/maldives-fari-islands/.

-ENDS-

ABOUT PATINA MALDIVES, FARI ISLANDS

Within the spellbinding beauty of the Maldives’ North Malé Atoll lies Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, the first – and flagship – luxury resort under Patina Hotels and Resorts, a transformative luxury brand from the award-winning Capella Hotel Group.  

Just a 45-min speedboat ride from Malé, sophisticated villas and contemporary studios crafted from nature’s materials and pure creativity blend harmoniously with breathtaking outdoor spaces, interspersed with a stunning range of 13 culinary concepts that showcase diverse cuisines from Nordic-Japanese fusion to plant-based creations.  

A private sanctuary that inspires immersive experiences, Patina Maldives is a transcendent journey into a destination of deep cultural character, connecting conscious travelers through originality, discovery and togetherness.   

ABOUT PATINA HOTELS & RESORTS

Patina Hotels & Resorts is the transformative luxury brand of Capella Hotel Group. Pioneering a fresh perspective in luxury hospitality, Patina is a destination within the destination, highlighting the energy and common passions that bring like-minded people together and foster meaningful connections with themselves and their surroundings. Patina embodies an evolving journey, transforming moments into lasting marks for the guests just like the Patina Effect. Following Patina Maldives, Fari Islands, Patina Osaka will be the second launch and the brand’s first urban hotel, where creative perspectives open minds and imprint lives...Infinite Imprints!

For more information, visit www.patinahotels.com Instagram @patinahotels | LinkedIn @patinahotels

For further press information and images, please contact:

Dara Soeharto (dara@frogandwolfpr.com), Christina Dendrinou (christina@frogandwolfpr.com), Leanne Barton (leanne@frogandwolfpr.com), Nat Frogley (nat@frogandwolfpr.com) or Flora Gandolfo (flora@frogandwolfpr.com) at Frog & Wolf PR.