The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands has welcomed Pedro Samper as Executive Chef.
Joining the resort’s stable of gastronomic talent, Samper brings over two decades of culinary leadership from some of the globe’s most prestigious hotels, resorts and Michelin-star restaurants across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
His latest tenure as Executive Chef at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore, saw him guide the pre-opening team through its launch phase. Prior to this, the chef’s career spans Executive Chef residencies at Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach, The St. Regis Maldives, The Langham Hong Kong, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur and Michelin-star restaurants across Spain and Japan.
Born and raised in San Sebastián, Spain, surrounded by the region’s rich epicurean heritage, Samper’s academic training took him into the sciences before embarking on his career in the culinary arts, resulting in a focus on sustainability and careful sourcing of ingredients.
Samper cut his teeth at Basque Restaurant and Casa Urola, where he immersed himself in the traditions of Basque cuisine. These early experiences provided a solid foundation in both classic techniques and local flavours, which together with his time at Kokotxa, Martin Berasategui and Quique Dacosta shaped his own philosophy.
His journey subsequently took him internationally, working in Tokyo under the culinary mastery of Chef Yamamoto at three Michelin-star RyuGin, and as Executive Chef opening the two Michelin-star Zurriola’s first overseas outpost in Hong Kong.
“I am honoured to be joining the Ladies and Gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, truly raising the bar for innovative luxury in the region,” says Samper. “The Maldives represents an extraordinary canvas for creativity, where I look forward to curating the most memorable dining experiences for guests. My ultimate aspiration is to leave a lasting legacy of culinary innovation and excellence.”
Next month, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives continues its Masters of Crafts experiences, welcoming one of Switzerland’s most decorated chefs. In a two-night takeover of the resort’s Beach Shack restaurant, Chef Rolf Fliegauf, Founder and Executive Chef of Switzerland’s Ecco, will curate a dining event showcasing his original creations served with a Maldivian twist.
With six Michelin stars and 18 Gault Millau points behind his name, German-born Fliegauf, once Europe’s youngest two Michelin-starred chef, is at the helm of Ecco Ascona and Ecco St. Moritz, located in the Hotel Giardino Ascona and Hotel Giardino Mountain respectively.
Bringing his acclaimed culinary artistry to the Indian Ocean, an elegant tasting menu will celebrate Chef Rolf’s signature ‘purist-aroma’ cuisine, dedicated to retaining origin flavours of each individual ingredient, with every dish harnessing a unique taste journey.
