Fairmont Maldives Resort Names Executive Chef for Sirru Fen Fushi Restaurant

Sedat Bugday has been named the new executive chef of Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi. Sedat's new position will require him to oversee the menus at several restaurants, including the renowned Japanese eatery Kata, the alluring seafood restaurant Azure, which offers unmatched views of the Indian Ocean, the all-day dining hub Raha Market, and the beach bar Onu Onu, which is inspired by Thai and Indonesian cuisine.

Sedat has more than 29 years of experience working in the high-end hospitality sector; before joining the Fairmont Maldives team, Sirru Fen Fushi oversaw the F&B division at the Rixos Marina in Abu Dhabi. Sedat has a long and successful career, having managed restaurants in renowned resorts all over the world, and is an expert in F&B and team leadership. His prior responsibilities included those at the Swissotel Grand Efes Izmir, Fairmont Quasar Istanbul, and Swissotel Ankara. He has more than 10 years of experience working across the top brands of Accor.

"I'm thrilled to be joining the incredibly brilliant staff at Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi, and it couldn't come at a better moment as the resort gears up for another fruitful year," says Sedat Bugday. I'm excited to bring my love of cooking, my varied culinary expertise, and my global influences to the restaurants. I'll also be integrating new cooking techniques and, in the end, upgrading the guest experience through zero waste recipes and a new farm-to-fork approach.

The new position comes at the beginning of a thrilling year for the resort; according to the Maldives ministry of tourism, the country has welcomed more than 220,574 visitors so far in 2023, a 31% increase compared to the same period in 2022. The Beach Tented Villas, which are brand-new for this year and offer a conscious castaway experience particular to the island, are where Fairmont Maldives, Sirru Fen Fushi invites guests to stay. Guests may also participate in programmes at the Sustainability Lab to turn trash into magic. The resort has 120 villas, each with a private pool, four restaurants and bars, an interactive kids club, an art studio, tennis courts, water sports, and a Fairmont Spa & fitness centre, giving guests enough to choose from.