This festive season, Karan Gokani, co-founder and Creative Director of renowned London restaurant group Hoppers, joins the culinary team at The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives from 16-29 December 2026 for an exclusive residency celebrating the flavours, traditions and stories of India and Sri Lanka, as part of the resort’s inaugural Symphony of the Seas festive programme.

Since opening in 2015, Hoppers has become one of London’s most recognised South Asian restaurant brands, securing a Michelin Bib Gourmand in its first year. Karan now oversees the group’s food, brand and creative direction, travelling extensively through India, Sri Lanka and beyond in search of the dishes, people and stories that continue to inform his cooking approach.

Set across two private islands in the untouched Gaafu Alifu Atoll, the two-week programme brings together intimate dining experiences, interactive cooking demonstrations and hands-on masterclasses – a rare opportunity to experience Karan’s distinctive approach to South Asian cuisine against a tropical backdrop of the Maldives using local ingredients.

Working alongside the resort’s Executive Chef Harpal Singh, Karan brings together dishes drawn from the influences that have shaped his cooking over the years – from recipes discovered on his travels and in his cookbooks, to much-loved creations served across his London restaurants. Reflecting his curiosity for the diverse food cultures of South Asia, the menu brings together regional flavours, ingredients and techniques, alongside dishes with particular personal significance. In keeping with The Halcyon’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, the menu showcases locally sourced seafood from the surrounding atolls, complemented by fresh herbs, fruits and vegetables grown in the resort’s own Traveller’s Garden. Each dish offers a glimpse into the places, people and culinary discoveries that have inspired Karan’s cooking, bringing the stories behind the menu to life.

Signature Beachside Dinners

At the heart of the residency are two exclusive beachside tasting dinners, each limited to 20 guests, hosted at Firepit Beach and Thari. Set beneath a canopy of coconut trees where the ocean meets the open sky, Firepit Beach offers a spectacular open-air island setting, with Asian and Mediterranean-inspired dishes centred around smoky grills and local produce. At Thari, the resort’s all-day dining venue, relaxed barefoot elegance meets Mediterranean ease and Asian vibrancy. Across both evenings, the multi-course menu takes guests on a journey from the north of India down to the south and over to Sri Lanka, in Karan’s signature interactive style, pairing traditional flavours with contemporary interpretations, dotted with stories and anecdotes along the way.

The menu will showcase regional classics from north India to south and hopping over to Sri Lanka, presented in Karan’s signature style. Highlights include, pol rotis with truffle butter, buttermilk crudo; grilled Maldivian line-caught lobster hodi with string hoppers; Hoppers lamb chops BBQ butter chicken and more.

Each dinner is hosted by Karan, with personal introductions and stories woven throughout – an insight into the inspiration behind each dish and the traditions that continue to shape his cooking.

Culinary Masterclasses

Alongside the dinners, two interactive masterclasses invite guests to cook alongside Karan and explore the techniques at the heart of South Asian cuisine. A Southern Indian BBQ Masterclass explores locally sourced shellfish, coconut sambol and string hoppers, while a banana leaf fish session sees guests wrap and cook marinated Maldivian reef fish over an open fire. A further masterclass delves into the art of coal-smoking through a richly spiced lamb chop curry, with guests preparing, cooking and plating alongside Karan for a deeper understanding of South Asian ingredients, flavour profiles and technique.

Destination Dining

Beyond the residency, guests can continue their culinary journey across The Halcyon’s diverse dining destinations. Overlooking the lagoon, Yuzu serves refined Pan-Asian cuisine, from citrus-led ceviches to tropical-accented sashimi. At the adjoining Yapa Sunset Bar, rare Japanese saké, pisco, mezcal and tequila-based cocktails are paired with artful tapas, while Bell Bar, named after explorer H.C.P. Bell, offers a more intimate retreat with rare spirits, signature cocktails inspired by his travels and finely aged whiskies.

For The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, culinary collaboration is a growing part of the guest experience, bringing together international chefs and the resort’s culinary team to create unique dining experiences. True to the resort’s ethos – Spirit of Discovery, Soul of the Maldives – this residency offers a memorable way to experience the festive season, connecting the food cultures of India and Sri Lanka with the untouched natural beauty of the Maldives.

Early Bird Festive Offer

Guests planning a festive escape can take advantage of The Halcyon’s Early Bird Festive Indulgence offer, which rewards those who secure their island stay early. Available for stays between 20 December 2026 and 10 January 2027, the offer spans Christmas and New Year as well as the second half of Karan’s residency, with reservations to be made by 11 November 2026.

Adriana Borcean, General Manager of The Halcyon Private Isles Maldives, said: “Karan’s cooking is shaped by his journeys through India and Sri Lanka, and there is something very special about bringing those flavours and stories to our resort. We’re on two private islands in one of the Maldives’ most untouched atolls, where local fishing remains an important part of the destination’s culture and way of life. This residency captures everything we stand for – a spirit of discovery, while remaining rooted in the natural beauty and unique character of our destination. We can’t wait to welcome Karan this festive season.”

Karan Gokani’s residency at Halcyon Maldives will take place from 16–29 December 2026.