JA Manafaru launches 'Wellness Your Way'

Award-winning menus for health-conscious guests

A healthy initiative:
In the fall of 2023, JA Manafaru was awarded 'Best Culinary Resort in the Maldives 2023' by Travel Trade Maldives. Subsequently, on International 'World Nutrition Day' on October 16, 2023, the resort also introduced the 'Wellness Your Way' plan - a healthy lifestyle dining alternative focusing on the vitality and well-being of luxury-oriented travelers.

With many media representatives, agencies and island guests in attendance, JA Manafaru hosted a beach food festival dedicated to different dietary styles. Guests at the launch party sampled a variety of healthy appetizers and main dishes, with the highlight of the evening being the wide selection of desserts, which was exciting even for those who would normally forgo the indulgence of sweet treats.

To launch the program, British celebrity chef Luke French from Joro Restaurant, among others, visited the island to share his expertise in the kitchen. In particular, he trained the kitchen team in fermentation techniques, with the aim of producing homemade '@ JA Manafaru' soy sauce, miso and other fermented products. These are offered alongside the island's new wellness beverage program, which includes homemade kombucha and more.

Each of the island's six restaurants offers separate menus for different dietary styles. Whether guests are following a vegan/vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free or low-carb diet, they can consciously choose from a wide range of dishes made from specially sourced ingredients, including home-grown fruit and vegetables.

To take a closer look at healthier options, the culinary team, led by Executive Chef Moosa Nazeeh, has developed innovative approaches to replicate guests' favorite dishes and ensure full menus are available for all guests to choose from. As part of the initiative, the island will offer a variety of plant-based meats, cheeses and seafood, as well as homemade low-carb bread and even pasta made from konjac. Also a hot tip: Executive Chef Moosa and his team have been experimenting to create delicious vegan 'Buffalo' mozzarella as well as sugar and carb-free nut brownies.

Chef Moosa comments, 'Being recognized as the best culinary resort here in the Maldives is no small feat, and the team is continuously looking for new innovative challenges in the kitchen to create an even greater culinary experience for guests. By changing one or two ingredients, we can rethink dishes to appeal to more of our guests and attract a new audience of health-conscious foodies. We were excited to expand and test our knowledge in building these bespoke menus'.

The 'World Food Day' event marked the launch of the overall 'Wellness Your Way' initiative, which also includes a new 'Alchemy Bar' in the Calm Spa Sanctuary, where guests can attend workshops on making herbal remedies and take part in short wellness programs.

More information: www.jaresortshotels.com/maldives/ja-manafaru