2-star chef Sebastian Frank cooks at Nova Maldives: "Roots & Waves" in the Indian Ocean

When vegetables play the leading role

From May 10 to 15, 2026 Nova Maldives will be the stage for an extraordinary culinary experience: Sebastian Frank , top chef and owner of the two-star restaurant Horváth in Berlin, will present his unmistakable cuisine as part of an exclusive guest performance.

The Austrian-born chef has developed a clear culinary signature with his so-called "emancipated vegetable cuisine" . For his stay in the Maldives, Frank has created a new menu under the motto "Roots & Waves" - radical, precise and uncompromising in its clarity. The focus is on seemingly simple ingredients that are transformed into extraordinary taste experiences through precise craftsmanship, creative techniques and time.

Vegetables take center stage

With his philosophy, Frank consistently places vegetables and fruit at the center of his cuisine. Products such as eggplant, spinach and pumpkin also play a key role during his guest appearance in the Maldives. He combines local ingredients with regional influences and creates a culinary experience that goes beyond classic fine dining concepts.

The vegetarian focus fits in perfectly with the sustainable concept of Nova Maldives.

Exclusive gourmet evenings and cooking classes

During his stay, Sebastian Frank invites you to two exclusive gourmet evenings on May 10 and 15, 2026 in the Flames Restaurant. In addition, a vegetable cooking course will take place in the Soul Kitchen Restaurant on May 12, 2026. Frank will also be presenting the signature recipe for his iconic dish "Celery ripe and young" - the celery component of which matures for a whole year in a special process.

The menus can also be accompanied by Frank's trend-setting non-alcoholic drinks on request, consisting of tea extracts, homemade vegetable juices, high-quality oils and refined reductions. The menus are either purely vegetarian or optionally available with local fish or meat components.

A kitchen with attitude

Sebastian Frank describes his philosophy as follows:
"Restriction is focus and vegetables are my strongest expression. I am constantly exploring my culinary roots and am therefore able to create dishes that touch people emotionally. I look forward to introducing Nova's guests to my emancipated vegetable cuisine - with refined dishes that combine Maldivian ingredients with regional products."

This attitude fits in perfectly with the resort's focus on blending indulgence, sustainability and a modern lifestyle.

"We are delighted to welcome Sebastian Frank, a true pioneer of vegetable cuisine. We are eagerly awaiting his creative dishes, which combine ingredients from the Maldives and regional products. Maldivian cuisine can be interpreted surprisingly well in a vegetarian or even vegan way: For example, the classic fish curry is now often prepared with sweet potatoes or jackfruit. Curries with pumpkin, eggplant, okra or chickpeas are also popular and there are vegetarian snacks such as baked plantain or breadfruit. Our guests at Nova can enjoy these diverse creations," says Abdulla Aboobakuru, General Manager of Nova Maldives.

With "Roots & Waves", guests can look forward to a culinary highlight in the Indian Ocean in May, where innovative vegetable cuisine meets the flavors of the Maldives.

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