Chocolate Meets Mindful Wellbeing - Chef Janice Wong Returns to OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI with an Immersive Culinary Ritual

Luxury, at its most evolved, is no longer defined by excess. It is measured in intention, awareness, and the ability to create moments that restore rather than overwhelm. This April, that philosophy takes edible form in the Maldives as Janice Wong returns to OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI for a multi-day culinary immersion that reframes chocolate as art, ritual, and mindful wellbeing.

From 27 to 29 April, the island sanctuary will host Chocolate Art & Serenity, an exclusive pop-up that transforms dessert into a sensory language of balance and presence. Set against the resort's serene overwater backdrop and unfolding across its signature dining venues - CUVÉE, ORIGIN?, and Vista del Mar - the experience invites guests to slow down, engage deeply, and rediscover indulgence through consciousness.

When Dessert Becomes a Medium of Awareness

For Chef Janice Wong, chocolate has always existed beyond the realm of confection. Over an 18-year career, she has redefined contemporary patisserie by merging gastronomy with visual art, architecture, and design. Her celebrated 2am:dessertbar in Singapore became a global reference point, earning consecutive placements on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants list and positioning her as one of the most influential voices in modern dessert culture.

At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, that creative philosophy deepens further. Chocolate is explored not only for flavour and form, but for its emotional resonance and meditative potential. Each composition is designed to encourage presence - inviting guests to observe texture, temperature, aroma, and rhythm, mirroring the natural cadence of island life.

"Chocolate becomes more than dessert here," reflects Chef Janice Wong. "It becomes a medium where art meets design and mindfulness. Each creation invites curiosity, balance, and a deeper connection to the moment."

Chocolate Art & Serenity - A Curated Journey

Rather than a single dining event, Chocolate Art & Serenity unfolds as a series of intimate, thoughtfully structured encounters. Adult masterclasses reveal the alchemy behind chocolate artistry, offering insight into technique, composition, and creative intention. For younger guests, guided cooking sessions introduce playful exploration and sensory curiosity

At the heart of the programme lies a bespoke Cacao Bonfire Meditation Ceremony, where a guided sound healing session and intention-setting ritual culminate in a cacao-infused experience. Here, chocolate becomes ceremonial - grounding the body, calming the mind, and transforming taste into a shared moment of reflection.

It is indulgence without excess. Pleasure without distraction.

A Natural Extension of the OZEN Philosophy

This collaboration reflects the wider vision of THE OZEN COLLECTION, where refined elegance is inseparable from holistic wellbeing. At OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI, wellness is not confined to the spa. It flows through architecture, cuisine, and guest experiences, guided by the resort's ELE|NA Elements of Nature philosophy.

According to Atmosphere Core, hosting Chef Janice Wong once again is a continuation of a deeper narrative. Gastronomy, in this context, becomes a ritual of nourishment and creativity rather than indulgence alone - an approach that aligns seamlessly with the resort's ethos of sustainable luxury, joy, balance, and intentional living.

The Power of Return

That this experience marks a return is significant. OZEN RESERVE BOLIFUSHI has built its reputation on continuity rather than novelty, curating moments that resonate long after guests leave the island. Since its inception, the resort has served as a meeting point for artistic expression, restorative wellness, and elevated hospitality.

Chef Janice Wong's reappearance feels less like a guest feature and more like a continuation of a shared language - one where chocolate, art, and mindfulness converge naturally within one of the world's most tranquil settings.

In the gentle rhythm of the Maldives, dessert learns to slow down.
And in doing so, it becomes something far more lasting than sweet.