Alila Kothaifaru Maldives will welcome Italian Chef Joshua Acquaviva for a ten-day culinary residency at Pibati Sul Mare from 25 October to 3 November 2026. The Head Chef of Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan will work alongside Executive Chef Frank Wackerhagen and the resort’s culinary team to present an Italian dining experience shaped by his Neapolitan heritage.
The residency will focus on two staples at the heart of Chef Joshua’s cooking: handcrafted pasta and artisanal pizza. Rather than simply bringing a Milanese restaurant concept to the Maldives, the collaboration will explore how Italian cooking can respond to an island setting through local produce, herbs and the natural surroundings of Kothaifaru.
Chef Joshua Acquaviva Brings Neapolitan Roots to the Maldives
Born in Naples in 1995, Chef Joshua Acquaviva developed his passion for cooking from an early age. His career has taken him through several respected Italian kitchens, building experience across fine dining and traditional Italian cuisine.
His professional journey includes VistaMare at Hotel Il Fogliano, where he contributed to the restaurant earning its first MICHELIN Star, as well as Kresios in Telese, a two-MICHELIN-Starred restaurant.
He also spent four years as Sous Chef at Il Faro di Capo d’Orso on the Amalfi Coast. In 2022, he joined Pellico 3 at Park Hyatt Milan, progressing from Chef de Partie to Head Chef within two years.
Today, his cooking combines technical precision with a strong connection to Italian ingredients, culinary memories and place.
Italian Cooking Meets the Island of Kothaifaru
At Alila Kothaifaru Maldives, Chef Joshua’s approach will meet a very different landscape from the kitchens of Italy.
The residency is designed as a collaboration between two culinary teams rather than a recreation of a restaurant from Milan. Chef Joshua will maintain the foundations of Italian cooking while working with ingredients and herbs cultivated on the island.
This approach allows the Italian character of the cuisine to remain at the centre while giving Kothaifaru a natural presence in the dishes.
Pibati Sul Mare: Italian Dining Beside the Ocean
The residency will take place at Pibati Sul Mare, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives’ beachside Italian restaurant.
The name “Pibati” comes from Sanskrit and means “to drink, absorb or imbibe”, reflecting the restaurant’s relaxed approach to dining. Its menu focuses on artisanal pizzas and handcrafted pastas, combining Italian classics with flavours inspired by the island.
Homegrown herbs and carefully selected ingredients bring freshness to the cuisine, while the beachside setting creates a relaxed environment for enjoying Italian food beside the Indian Ocean.
Guests Can Join Intimate Pizza-Making Sessions
Beyond dining at the restaurant, guests will have the opportunity to participate in pizza-making sessions at Pibati’s counter during the residency.
Each session will be limited to eight participants, allowing guests to work directly with the chefs and learn more about the process behind well-made pizza, from handling the dough to understanding the techniques involved.
Additional staggered sessions may be arranged when required to maintain the intimate nature of the experience.
The guest menu and pizza-making sessions will be subject to availability, with advance reservations recommended.
A Culinary Exchange Between Two Kitchens
The residency also provides an opportunity for Chef Joshua to work closely with Executive Chef Frank Wackerhagen and the Pibati Sul Mare culinary team.
The collaboration will focus on fundamental techniques, including well-rested dough, handmade pasta and carefully developed sauces. At the same time, the chefs will explore how local ingredients and island-grown herbs can naturally influence the final dishes.
For the culinary teams, this creates an exchange of techniques and ideas. For guests, the collaboration offers a closer look at the people and craftsmanship behind their dining experience.
A Taste of Naples in the Maldives
For Chef Joshua, pasta and pizza represent more than familiar Italian dishes. They are closely connected to his Neapolitan background and his understanding of Italian food.
Bringing these traditions to Kothaifaru allows guests to experience his interpretation of Italian cuisine in a completely different environment. The combination of Italian culinary heritage, island-grown ingredients and a beachfront setting creates a distinctive dining experience for the Maldives.
Lets Go Maldives Perspective
At Lets Go Maldives, we see culinary residencies as an important part of the evolving Maldives luxury travel experience. International guest chefs give travelers the opportunity to discover new cuisines and culinary traditions while enjoying the distinctive setting of a Maldivian resort.
Chef Joshua Acquaviva’s residency at Alila Kothaifaru Maldives is particularly relevant for travelers interested in Italian cuisine, fine dining and interactive culinary experiences.
For international travel partners, travel agents and tour operators, experiences such as this can also add depth to Maldives itineraries, particularly for clients seeking personalized and memorable resort experiences.
As a leading travel company in the Maldives and experienced Maldives DMC, Lets Go Maldives connects international travel partners and travelers with Maldives resorts and experiences across the destination.
Italian Culinary Heritage by the Indian Ocean
From 25 October to 3 November 2026, Alila Kothaifaru Maldives will bring together Chef Joshua Acquaviva’s Italian culinary heritage and the island’s natural character at Pibati Sul Mare.
With handcrafted pasta, artisanal pizza and intimate pizza-making sessions, the residency offers guests a chance to experience Italian cooking through a distinctly Maldivian setting.
For travelers planning a Maldives holiday in late October or early November, the residency adds another distinctive culinary experience to the destination’s growing luxury dining scene.
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