Milaidhoo Maldives Welcomes Chef James Knight-Paccheco for Two Exclusive Culinary Events

Milaidhoo Maldives is set to welcome award-winning chef James Knight-Paccheco, better known as Chef JKP, on 11 and 12 December 2026 for two exclusive culinary events celebrating a shared passion for food, the art of cooking and the pleasure of discovering new flavours.

On 11 December, Chef JKP will lead a culinary workshop, giving guests the chance to cook alongside him, learn a few professional techniques and exchange ideas in the kitchen. The following evening, he will host a wine-pairing dinner, bringing his own style of cooking to the island alongside wines selected by our resident sommelier to complement each dish.

With more than 20 years in the hospitality industry, Chef JKP has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hotels and restaurant projects across the UK and the Middle East. He has worked alongside chefs including Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay and Michael Caines, and is the creator and host of The Chef JKP Podcast, which has attracted more than 6.5 million downloads.

At Milaidhoo, food is closely tied to the island and the people who call it home. Maldivian flavours and culinary traditions sit alongside the international influences brought by the island’s team of chefs, creating a kitchen where different backgrounds and ideas come together. There is a genuine pleasure in sharing that knowledge, whether through a local dish, a new cooking technique or a conversation with the person who prepared your meal.

This is also what makes Milaidhoo a fitting setting for Chef JKP’s visit. In the quiet surroundings of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, dining is relaxed and personal, with time to appreciate what is on the plate and the company around it. The aim is not simply to bring a guest chef to the island, but to give guests the opportunity to meet him, learn from him and enjoy his approach to food.

The culinary workshop takes place on 11 December 2026, followed by the wine-pairing dinner on 12 December.