With some of the best restaurants in the Maldives, LUX* South Ari Atoll truly stands out as a leading resort in the Maldives. To find out more about how the resort stands out, Wayfarer’s James Wilkinson spoke with LUX* South Ari Atoll Executive Chef, Mark Anthony Perera.

Mark, tell us about the fantastic food and beverage offerings at LUX* South Ari Atoll.

The strength of our culinary offering lies in its diversity and authenticity. Our restaurants take guests on a journey across different cuisines and cultures, each with its own distinctive identity.

Across every experience, our focus remains on quality ingredients, creativity and delivering food that guests genuinely remember.

There’s a big focus on local produce at the property – tell us about that.

Being surrounded by the Indian Ocean naturally influences our culinary philosophy, with fresh seafood and regional ingredients playing an important role.

Beyond produce, we also celebrate Maldivian culinary heritage through experiences such as our Maldivian Nights and Amaa’s Kitchen, where guests can discover authentic local flavours, traditional recipes and the stories behind them. For us, it is about creating a meaningful connection between the food, the culture and the destination.

What are some of your favourite ingredients to work with at present?

I particularly enjoy working with fresh seafood, tropical ingredients and spices. These ingredients offer incredible versatility and allow us to balance simplicity with creativity while reflecting the flavours and character of our island environment.

What are some of your favourite dishes across the property and why?

I am particularly drawn to dishes that allow exceptional ingredients to speak for themselves. Fresh seafood and dishes combining Asian flavours and techniques are among my favourites. Ultimately, the best dishes are those that create an emotional connection and become part of a guest’s memories of their stay.

Tell us about your background and your career journey so far.

My culinary journey began in Sri Lanka, where food is deeply rooted in culture, family and hospitality. Those early influences shaped my passion for creating dishes that are not only beautifully prepared, but also meaningful and memorable.

Over the past 19 years, I have built my career in luxury hospitality, beginning with Jumeirah in Dubai and later working with several internationally renowned luxury brands.

Each experience helped refine my craft and deepen my understanding of how dining can become an essential part of a guest’s journey.

I joined LUX* South Ari Atoll as Executive Pastry Chef and gradually grew within the resort, first becoming Executive Sous Chef and later Executive Chef.

Today, I am proud to lead a talented multicultural team, creating dining experiences that combine international flavours, Maldivian inspiration and the warmth of island hospitality.

For me, great cuisine is about storytelling. It is about connecting people to a place, a culture and a moment they will remember long after they leave.

GETTING TO MALÉ, MALDIVES

The best way of getting to Malé in comfort and style.

Malaysia Airlines’ brilliant Business Class cabin features one of the best seats in the air

Wayfarer recommends flying to Malé via Kuala Lumpur with Malaysia Airlines, one of the top carriers in Asia.

Malaysia Airlines offers twice daily flights to Malé from Kuala Lumpur and in business class, you can expect amazing hospitality, comfortable and spacious seats and top-quality inflight dining headlined by the airline’s legendary satay skewers.

It’s an exciting time for Malaysia Airlines at present, with the oneworld carrier continuing to launch flights across the globe.