Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is set to strengthen its premium culinary offering with an exclusive ten-day residency by Chef Joshua Acquaviva, Head Chef of Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan, from 25 October to 3 November 2026. The residency will take place at Pibati Sul Mare, the resort’s beachside Italian restaurant, bringing the traditions and techniques of contemporary Italian cuisine to the shores of the Maldives.
Working alongside Alila Kothaifaru Maldives Executive Chef Frank Wackerhagen and the resort’s culinary team, Chef Joshua will present a specially curated selection of dishes inspired by his Italian heritage. Pasta and pizza, two traditions closely associated with his Neapolitan roots, will feature prominently, combining established Italian techniques with carefully selected ingredients, island-grown herbs and produce from Kothaifaru.
Born in Naples in 1995, Chef Joshua developed an interest in professional cooking from an early age and has since built his career across several highly regarded Italian kitchens. His experience includes VistaMare at Hotel Il Fogliano, where he contributed to the restaurant earning its first Michelin star, the two-Michelin-starred Kresios in Telese, and Il Faro di Capo d’Orso on the Amalfi Coast, where he spent four years as Sous Chef. He joined Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan in 2022 and advanced from Chef de Partie to Head Chef within two years.
His culinary style combines technical precision with a strong connection to Italian ingredients, traditions, memories and regional identity. At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, this approach will be adapted to the distinctive natural setting of the island rather than simply recreating the Milan dining experience. The collaboration will allow both culinary teams to exchange techniques and ideas while preserving the authenticity of Italian cooking and introducing subtle elements inspired by the Maldivian island environment.
Located beside the beach, Pibati Sul Mare is one of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ signature dining venues and offers a refined yet relaxed interpretation of Italian cuisine. The restaurant’s name is derived from the Sanskrit word “Pibati”, meaning “to drink, absorb or imbibe”, reflecting an approach to dining centred on taking time to experience the surroundings, cuisine and atmosphere.
The restaurant’s menu focuses on artisanal pizzas and handcrafted pastas, combining traditional Italian favourites with island-inspired elements. Homegrown herbs and carefully sourced ingredients bring freshness to the dishes, while its beachfront setting offers guests uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean. The restaurant forms part of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ wider positioning as a luxury island retreat where architecture, nature, dining and personalised experiences are closely integrated.
Guests will also have the opportunity to participate in intimate pizza-making sessions during Chef Joshua’s residency. Limited to eight participants per session, the experience will allow guests to work with pizza dough, learn directly from the chefs and gain greater insight into the techniques behind producing high-quality Italian pizza. Additional staggered sessions may be arranged where required to maintain the personalised nature of the experience.
Thomas Weber, General Manager of Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, said the residency is designed to create a meaningful collaboration between two kitchens while allowing guests rare access to the chefs and ideas behind the dishes. He said the experience will bring together the craft of an Italian chef and the distinctive character of Kothaifaru, with intimacy and genuine interaction remaining central to the resort’s interpretation of luxury hospitality.
Executive Chef Frank Wackerhagen said the collaboration will also provide valuable opportunities for the resort’s culinary team to work closely with Chef Joshua, exchange ideas and further develop their skills. He highlighted the importance of strong culinary foundations, including properly rested dough, handmade pasta, carefully prepared sauces and respectful treatment of ingredients, while allowing the island’s herbs, produce and beachfront surroundings to naturally influence the experience.
Chef Joshua said Naples has shaped his understanding of food throughout his career, with pasta and pizza remaining central to his culinary identity. He described the Maldives residency as an opportunity to share those traditions in an entirely different environment while collaborating with Chef Frank and the Pibati Sul Mare team. He also emphasised that culinary excellence is built around exchange, learning, respect for ingredients and creating dishes with which guests can form a genuine connection.
The residency brings together the refined culinary approach of Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan and the relaxed luxury of island hospitality in the Maldives, further strengthening the country’s reputation as a destination offering world-class experiences beyond its celebrated beaches and natural beauty. Such collaborations also complement the Maldives’ continued focus on enhancing the quality and diversity of its tourism product and strengthening its position in the global luxury travel market.
Chef Joshua Acquaviva’s residency at Pibati Sul Mare will run from 25 October to 3 November 2026. The special guest menu and pizza-making sessions will be subject to availability, with advance reservations recommended. Guests may make reservations through Alila Kothaifaru Maldives at [email protected], while updates on the residency will also be shared through the resort’s official Instagram account, @alilamaldives.
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