Chef Jesper Koch back at Vakkaru for cellar dinners

Danish chef Jesper Koch has returned to Vakkaru Maldives in Baa Atoll for a second residency, running from 26 October to 5 November, the resort said.

He is cooking a five-course tasting menu on three evenings: 29 October, 1 November and 3 November. The first dinner has already taken place, leaving two dates during his stay.

The dinners are held at Vakkaru Reserve, the resort's wine cellar, which holds 680 Old and New World labels. Sommeliers pair wines and non-alcoholic drinks with each course, the resort said.

The menu combines Nordic cooking with Maldivian ingredients, including seafood from Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, produce from the resort's organic farm and regional spices.

“I am delighted to be part of this collaboration and look forward to connecting with guests while creating memorable moments together,” Koch said in the resort's statement.

Second visit this year

His first residency ran from 16 to 28 July and focused on kitchen training, service workshops and work alongside the resort's executive chefs.

According to the resort, Koch has more than 30 years of experience, has received Michelin recognition across several restaurants and has been named Danish Chef of the Year. He represented Denmark at the Bocuse d'Or, holds an Honorary Diploma from the Danish Gastronomic Academy, was named "Chef's Chef" by the Danish Gastronomy Foundation and is a long-time judge on MasterChef Denmark.

“Our intention with Vakkaru Reserve has never been to impress with excess. Instead, it’s about assembling a collection that invites reflection, wines that linger in the mind as much as on the palate,” said Teddy Susanto Wiryawan, General Manager of Vakkaru Maldives.

Vakkaru Maldives is about 30 minutes by seaplane from Malé, according to the resort. No prices were published for the dinners; bookings are made through vakkarumaldives.com.