With the festive season on the horizon, read on for the warm, sensory-led story from Nova Maldives — one rooted not just in flavour, but in people.
This Christmas, Nova’s Head Chef, Chef Sobah, is bringing a deeply personal touch to the resort’s festive programme with a 12-day countdown of handcrafted Maldivian sweet bites, placed daily in every guest villa from 22 December. Each treat is inspired by the ingredients and memories he grew up with on the islands — a rare opportunity for guests to taste the Maldives through the hands of someone who has lived it.
Below is a teaser of Sobah’s creations, developed with a love for turning Maldivian ingredients into delightful everyday sweet treats!
From 22 December, Nova Maldives will be delighting guests with a daily rotation of handcrafted sweet bites placed in their villas — a 12-day countdown of festive desserts inspired by traditional Maldivian ingredients such as huni hakaru (shredded coconut sugar) and kashi keyo (more commonly known as pandan or screwpine). Here’s a teaser of the delicious creations that guests will have a chance to sample if staying with Nova over Christmas and New Year – on the house!
- Coconut-Inspired Creations: From the smoky caramel crunch of Addu Bondi Whisper to Huni Hakuru Heart with shredded coconut sugar that melts into buttery sweetness, the nostalgic chew of the crunchy coconut and dark chocolate brittle Boakuri Ember, and the Classic Huni-Hakuru Delight in a Canac Leaf slow-cooked under gentle heat, with pure coconut honey.
- Fruit & Floral infusions: Screwpine Blossom and Screwpine Citrus Spark featuring the fragrant and aromatic kashi keyo fruit with zesty lime, alongside Rose Moon, a silky coconut cream ganache perfumed with rose and cardamom. and Date & Island Spice, with dates, coconut milk, cardamom, and clove turned into a rich, festive paste.
- Nutty & Earthy Delights: Rooted in the traditions of island harvests, the Kanamadhu Pearl blends roasted sea almonds into velvety praline with a touch of caramel, while Breadfruit Treasure transforms ripe breadfruit and coconut cream into a soft, soulful fudge. Island Treasure Nougat brings together sea almonds, sun-dried mango and papaya, and crispy coconut honey for a golden slice of Maldivian bounty.
Born and trained in the Maldives, Sobah, Executive Chef at Nova’s Flames restaurant and a Hotelier Maldives Chef of the Year nominee, draws on Maldivian childhood flavours and global grillmaster influences to craft sweet experiences that feel both nostalgic and new.
These edible gems are part of Nova’s Maldivian Magic – A Festive Fusion programme, running from 21 December 2025 to 7 January 2026, a soulful celebration inviting travellers to step into the island nation’s 2,500-year-old cultural tapestry.
