A Fiery Festive Return: Chef Jord Althuizen Ignites Culinary Excellence at Coco Bodu Hithi

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22 October, 2025

The Maldives is set to sizzle this festive season as Coco Bodu Hithi proudly announces the return of internationally acclaimed Chef Jord Althuizen. From December 27 to 29, the resort’s pristine shores will be the stage for an exclusive culinary residency, promising an unforgettable fusion of fire, flavour, and festive cheer.

The Master of Fire: Welcome Back, Chef Jord Althuizen

Renowned for his signature ‘art-of-fire’ cuisine, Chef Jord is a culinary force. The award-winning Dutch chef, who earned the prestigious title of Whole Hog BBQ’er in 2014 and is the author of four best-selling cookbooks, is celebrated for his bold, innovative approach to open-fire cooking.

His previous visit to the resort left guests and staff alike yearning for more of his fiery culinary genius. This year, he returns to elevate the luxury dining experience in the Maldives with a menu defined by creativity, refined technique, and world-class flavours that truly ignite the senses.

What to Expect: A Culinary Journey of Fire and Flavour

This exclusive event is a celebration of community and craftsmanship. Chef Jord will bring his grill mastery to the communal table, presenting a curated selection of signature dishes.

Guests can anticipate a menu that highlights:

Freshly caught seafood from the Indian Ocean, kissed by smoke and flame.
Premium cuts of meat sourced from around the world, expertly grilled to perfection.
A vibrant, shared dining experience that encourages engaging conversations and the creation of cherished memories with family and friends.

It’s more than a meal; it’s a festive gathering where bold flavours and island sophistication perfectly intertwine.

Beyond the Plate: The Coco Bodu Hithi Festive Experience

Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Coco Bodu Hithi is the ideal backdrop for this culinary spectacle. Recently recognized as one of the Top Resorts in the Indian Ocean at the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2024 and awarded Best Service at the Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2025, the resort is synonymous with Maldivian contemporary comfort and heartfelt service.

Your stay in one of the 98 villas—each featuring a private pool—becomes part of a broader festive calendar. From live music at the Latitude Bar and festive mixology classes to serene sunset yoga by the infinity pool, every moment is crafted for delight.

As part of the Coco Collection, the celebrations also embrace a strong commitment to sustainability, ensuring the natural beauty of the Maldives is preserved for generations to come.

Your Invitation to a Fiery Festive Celebration

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the culinary magic of Chef Jord Althuizen at one of the Maldives' most awarded resorts. This festive season is your chance to connect, celebrate, and indulge in a setting where every day feels like the weekend.

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Coco Collection

Coco Collection runs two islands — Coco Bodu Hithi and Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu that make up the Coco Collection brand.

Luxurious and contemporary, with superb private pool villas and an idyllic overwater spa - Coco Bodu Hithi, the flagship property in Coco Collection’s portfolio, is a chic retreat where you reconnect with yourself, your loved ones and the wonder of the natural world. Translating island life into contemporary sophistication, the resort, which is accessible by a 40-minute speedboat ride from the main Velana International Airport, offers 100 villas that are surrounded by the calm view of the lagoon and the soothing sound of the waves. There are seven chic restaurants, two open air cocktail bars, extensive thatched overwater Coco Spa and a fitness center (with ocean views!). An uncrowded infinity swimming pool and a large selection of activities, including scuba diving and snorkeling in the lagoon. Despite all these facilities, guests - especially at night - tend to seek privacy in a private getaway, possibly with a bottle from Wine Loft.

Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is a quiet place in the Maldives where you will find luxury, beauty and privacy at reasonable prices. The resort very well takes care of its environment and creates guests all for a 5-star beach experience in tropical paradise. Dhuni Kolhu is ahead of other hotels in its category by quality, design and amenities. This is a top class, but a simple, laid-back package of key Maldives elements - diving, snorkeling, beach, island and accommodation. Half a mile from tip to tip, a private island of medium size is populated with 98 villas. Snorkeling and scuba diving is awesome amd the guests can freely walk between two restaurants, SPA and sports grounds, using shady paths entwining the lush jungle. The removal of the island takes 30 minutes by seaplane from Male airport. Snorkeling and scuba diving is awesome and the resort offers a number of fun tours, but there is no pool on the island.

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