FOOD AND DRINK
Cooking Classes
Learn real Maldivian recipes from local cooks, or train with resort chefs in cuisines from around the world.
Resort Cooking Classes
Professional kitchens, trained chefs, and recipe cards to take home. Quality varies by resort.
Anantara Dhigu / Anantara Veli
Maldivian + International
Actual local recipes. The Maldivian class teaches hand-shredding tuna for mas huni, making roshi from scratch, and preparing garudhiya with proper fish stock. The Thai and Indian classes are taught by specialist chefs.
Cuisines
Genuine Maldivian cooking (mas huni, garudhiya, hedhikaa) plus Thai and Indian classes
Duration
1.5-2 hours
Group Size
2-8 guests
Authentic
Yes
Soneva Fushi
Multi-cuisine
Technique-focused classes, not simplified tourist versions. The chocolate class uses cacao from Soneva's own supply. Japanese class includes proper knife skills. Ingredients sourced from the on-site garden where possible.
Cuisines
Thai, Japanese, Italian, raw food, and chocolate making
Duration
2-3 hours
Group Size
2-6 guests
Authentic
Yes
Kurumba Maldives
Maldivian focus
Family recipes from Maldivian staff members. Simple dishes you can recreate at home. Mas huni, roshi, fish curry. Staff from nearby islands share their own variations.
Cuisines
Local Maldivian recipes taught by island staff
Duration
1-1.5 hours
Group Size
2-10 guests
Authentic
Yes
Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
International with local touches
Professional-level instruction. The Italian class teaches fresh pasta from scratch. The Maldivian class covers curries and coconut-based dishes. Good for guests who cook regularly at home and want to improve technique.
Cuisines
Italian, Middle Eastern, Maldivian, and healthy eating
Duration
2 hours
Group Size
2-6 guests
Authentic
Yes
Heritance Aarah
Sri Lankan + Maldivian
Strong on curry technique and spice use. Sri Lankan and Maldivian cuisines share ingredients (coconut, chili, tuna), so the overlap is natural. Good for understanding Indian Ocean cooking traditions.
Cuisines
Sri Lankan curries, Maldivian dishes, spice blending
Duration
1.5 hours
Group Size
2-8 guests
Authentic
Yes
Looking for a specific cooking experience?
We can arrange Maldivian home-cook visits, resort chef sessions, and market tours. Tell us what you want to learn.
Local Island Home-Cook Experiences
The most authentic way to learn Maldivian cooking. No professional kitchen. No plating. Just real food in a real home.
Maafushi
Home-cook class with a local family : $30-$50 per person
Arranged through local guesthouses. You visit a Maldivian home and cook with the family. Dishes include garudhiya, mas huni, hedhikaa items. The most genuine experience possible. Limited English in some households.
Thulusdhoo
Community cooking session : $25-$40 per person
Some guesthouses organize group cooking sessions with local women. Learn to make bajiya, gulha, and bis keemiya. Smaller tourist presence than Maafushi.
Resort vs. Local Island: Which to Choose
| Factor | Resort Class | Local Island |
|---|---|---|
| Genuine Maldivian | Kurumba, Anantara | All local island classes |
| Professional technique | Soneva, Four Seasons | Not the focus |
| Price | $50-$150 | $25-$50 |
| Languages | English guaranteed | English varies |
| Recipe cards | Usually provided | Rarely |
| Recreatable at home | Yes, with specialty ingredients | Yes, with basic ingredients |
Tourist-Adapted vs. Real Versions
The Real Version
- Hand-shredded tuna for mas huni (not food-processed).
- Fresh coconut grated by hand, not desiccated from a bag.
- Garudhiya made from whole tuna pieces, simmered for 30+ minutes.
- Roshi kneaded and cooked on a flat pan, not in an oven.
- Hedhikaa shaped by hand, fried in coconut oil.
The Tourist Version
- Pre-shredded tuna, measured into portions.
- Desiccated coconut from a packet.
- Garudhiya made from fish stock, not whole fish.
- Roshi made with wheat flour only (no scraped coconut).
- Simplified shapes and pre-mixed spice blends.
More Dining Experiences
Want to Cook Like a Maldivian?
Prefer to talk to someone directly? Call us at +960 771 9666 or chat on WhatsApp