Asia's Debut: W Maldives Ignites the Chefs on Fire Festival

Chefs On Fire, the renowned culinary and music event from Portugal, will be held for the first time in Asia at W Maldives, the luxurious playground situated in the North Ari Atoll and surrounded by one of the best house reefs in the nation. The festival, which will begin on October 31 and run through November 5, 2023, will feature a number of eating experiences overseen by Michelin-starred Chef Alexandre Silva and musical performances by Dino D'Santiago, a multi-award-winning singer-songwriter from Lisbon.

Since 2018, Chefs On Fire has gained recognition as a cutting-edge festival that brings together the top chefs from across the world for cooking solely over fire, smoke, and fire wood, as well as musical performances by up-and-coming and well-known musicians and performers. The event is renowned for its dedication to sustainability, as evidenced by its usual practices of using only locally produced and indigenous ingredients, reducing food waste, and replanting firewood. W Maldives is excited to announce its partnership with Chefs On Fire, including three of the brand's passion points—TASTE, SOUND, and STANCE—to bring their distinctive and immersive experience to Asia for the first time.

Two renowned restaurants in Lisbon, Loco and Fogo, were created by chef Alexandre Silva. He is a culinary master known for his creative gastronomic methods that offer engrossing tales of flavor, culture, and technique. Due to his inventive takes on classic dishes and the chef's strong connection to locally produced ingredients, his Loco Restaurant received a Michelin star in 2015. Chefs On Fire at the W Maldives will feature his singular take on the culinary arts, which Dino D'Santiago's musical talent will enhance.

Dino D'Santiago, a multidimensional and critically acclaimed musician from Portugal's thriving music scene, has mesmerized listeners with his unique fusion of genres. His distinctive musical style defies easy classification by seamlessly fusing traditional Cape Verdean and Afro-Lusophone sounds with modern sound. Throughout the moving partnership, Dino is expected to bring his renowned explosive and captivating stage presence to dazzle audiences with his expressive vocals and musical narrative.

The collaboration with Chefs On Fire to bring their renowned cuisine, fire, and music festival to our shores makes us really happy. Their dedication to offering a unique experience with sustainability in mind perfectly complements W Maldives' stance on generating activations that inspire and have meaning for our visitors, according to Alexander Lopez, resort manager at W Maldives.

Gonçalo Castel-Branco, executive producer of Chefs On Fire, commented on their planned trip to the Maldives and the collaboration, saying, "We are extremely happy to bring Chefs On Fire experience to the Maldives, first time in Asia, and to be able to completely immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of the dream destination. We sincerely hope that this partnership will be as inspirational for all of the visitors as it has been for us. It truly symbolizes the amazing commitment from Chefs On Fire and W Maldives to providing both our audiences with a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Chefs On Fire at W Maldives is slated to be a memorable experience for Marriott Bonvoy members globally as well as hotel visitors. Additionally, W Maldives has made one particular day available for all members to bid on a premium Marriott Bonvoy Moments experience. From October 30th, 2023, check in to the opulent playground for a three-night stay at one of the Fabulous Overwater Villas and experience Chefs on Fire Food & Music Festival as a VIP. The winning bidders will begin their voyage with a couple's AWAY Spa treatment before being fully immersed in the festival's sustainable journey. On the resort's own castaway island, Gaathafushi, bid winners will have the opportunity to partake in a fire pit cooking class, take in live music performances, and eat an exclusive dinner made by Michelin-starred Chef Alexandre Silva.