Two-Day Event Showcases Maldivian Heritage Through Creative Plant-Based Dining
This November, Nova Maldives will host an extraordinary two-day celebration of plant-based cuisine and island-inspired creativity, welcoming renowned British plant-based chef and author Elly Smart for an exclusive collaboration on 14 and 16 November.
Known for her imaginative approach to cooking, Elly Smart has redefined plant-based dining by transforming traditional comfort foods into inventive, flavourful dishes. From everyday favourites to elegant recipes for special occasions, her creations highlight both sustainability and indulgence. At Nova, she will join forces with the resort’s award-winning Executive Chef Sobah Hassan for A Soulful Plant-Based Celebration with Elly Smart—a culinary partnership that fuses the essence of Maldivian gastronomy with contemporary plant-based innovation.
Guests will be treated to An Evening with Elly, an intimate starlit dinner celebrating the beauty of plant-based cooking and connection. The curated menu will feature a Maldivian-inspired take on Elly’s acclaimed Tofu Meatballs, crafted from locally sourced produce. Beginning with a traditional island entrée and concluding with a tropical dessert, the evening pays homage to Maldivian heritage. Each course will be introduced personally by Elly, who will share the inspiration and techniques behind her creations.
The second event, Cooking with Elly at Soul Kitchen, offers a hands-on cooking demonstration where guests can observe Elly’s artistry up close. This immersive experience allows participants to engage with her signature tofu dish and learn the principles that define her approach to plant-based cuisine—an embodiment of Nova’s “soulful island living” philosophy, which celebrates mindfulness, creativity, and heart.
Designed to unite guests through food and shared experience, both events highlight Nova’s emphasis on community and connection. By merging British culinary artistry with authentic Maldivian flavours, the collaboration invites guests to slow down, savour, and embrace the island’s spirit of joyful, conscious living.
“We’re delighted to welcome Chef Elly Smart to Nova for this exciting culinary collaboration,” says Abdulla Aboobakuru, General Manager of Nova Maldives. “Plant-based dining resonates deeply with many of our guests — not only for its health benefits, but also for its environmental and ethical significance. Maldivian cuisine has long reflected the ingenuity of remote island living, shaped by limited access to imported goods and a deep reliance on what nature provides. Traditionally, islanders have crafted dishes from ingredients such as coconut, rice, tropical fruits, and root vegetables — creating a cuisine that is naturally light, plant-forward, and rooted in sustainability. At Nova, we’re proud to celebrate this legacy through innovative plant-based cuisine that is as flavourful as it is creative, perfectly aligning with our core values of wellness, sustainability, and progressive living.”