Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Welcomes Award-Winning Chef Emmanuel as New Culinary Director

The resort's new Culinary Director is Emmanuel Soares, who was hired by Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives. Emmanuel is a passionate and award-winning chef who has held important roles in Europe, South America, the Caribbean, North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia over his 35 years in the restaurant, catering, and hotel industries.

Emmanuel, who was born in France, is a native speaker of Portuguese, English, and has conversational competency in Spanish and Russian. He has an American Cornell University Certificate in Food Service Management. Emmanuel describes his professional attitude as being shaped by chefs who concentrated on the core of the products and ingredients while striking a balance between originality and simplicity.

After finishing his studies at the esteemed Cornell University, Emmanuel received his diploma in Paris with the highest hospitality rating of BTS. Under the guidance of renowned Chef Gérard Vié, he began his first crucial culinary training at the age of 15 at the opulent Trianon Palace (now the Waldorf Astoria), in the restaurant with two Michelin stars "Les Trois Marches" in Versailles. Throughout his professional journey, Emmanuel gained experience by working at some of Paris' most prestigious establishments, including Relain du Parc, Le Doyen, and The Ritz Club. Alain Ducasse, Ghislaine Arabian, and Michele Roth, among other chefs of international renown, are featured at Café de France's Le Chapeau Gris (MOF). When Emmanuel provided significant culinary services to leaders like Nicolas Sarkozy (French President 2007–2012), Family Ricard (France), and Ambassador Sergio de Amaral (Brazil), he really began to stand out in the world of "cuisine bourgoise." His approach to international hospitality management and culinary expertise gave the food and beverage concepts at award-winning resorts in more than 12 countries, including One & Only Reethi Rah (Maldives), Jumeirah (UAE), La Réserve (Switzerland), Bakers Bay Golf & Ocean Club (Bahamas), Opera Hotel & Donbass Palace (Ukraine), First IHG (Portugal), and Kenzi (Morocco).

As he developed his abilities overseas and encountered many cultures, Emmanuel expertly incorporated this knowledge into his recipes with an unwavering artisan method and attention to detail, which eventually became a distinguishing feature of his resume.

Emmanuel said of his new position with Finolhu, "I'm excited to join a dynamic team with a strong emphasis on quality and guest experience, with a multi-cultural background and no compromises on quality."

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The luxury island resort Seaside Finolhu Baa Atoll Maldives, owned and operated by Seaside Collection, is known for its two kilometers of white, powdery beaches that span four islands. Finolhu, which means sandbank in Dhivehi, is firmly established as one of the best resorts in the Maldives. It has 125 beachfront and overwater villas.