
Fine dining at The Nautilus takes many whimsical shapes and forms on our island, realised through our vision of unscripted dining. But you can always expect the finest flavours and exquisite dishes – no matter the location, no matter the time. Whether you choose Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fusions at our signature restaurant, Zeytoun; casual gourmet canapés at Naiboli poolside bar; or a private barbecue picnic on a castaway sandbank.
Our award-winning chefs effortlessly blend local traditions and global inspiration with innovation in the kitchen, always looking to discover new tastes and approaches to the art of gastronomy. We’re also always eager to collaborate with like-minded partners across the world. To explore new ingredients, ideas and exchanges in our common love for fine food and excellent hospitality. So it should come as no surprise that we’re hosting one of Thailand’s best chefs this May.
Thailand’s best: Visiting chef Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam
Chef Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam has superb credentials. Having graduated from The International Culinary Center in New York City, she worked for Chef Dan Barber at Blue Hill at New York’s Stone Barns for two years. She returned home in 2017 to win Season 1 of Top Chef Thailand. Being the first to hold this title, as well as the youngest in the competition, garnered her additional acclaim as Thailand’s rising star. Following the win, she travelled across the world, cooking and showcasing modern Thai cuisine. To add to her accolades, her restaurant, Baan Tepa Culinary Space, recently won a Michelin star.

Conscious cuisine: Local and sustainable
Gifted, dedicated and pioneering, Chef Tam is, quite simply, an artist. Her cuisine is among the finest in the world, lauded for its playful experimentation with ingredients, where she combines traditional flavours with unconventional cooking methods. But beyond this, she is also renowned for her sustainable food concept and emphasis on organic, local produce that is responsibly grown.
Located on farmland, Baan Tepa is where sustainable agriculture practices are the name of the game; where Chef Tam serves as an advocate for food waste reduction.
These values resonate strongly with ours in our commitment to sustainability and conscious luxury. Chef Tam’s knowledge offers thus a crucial contribution to The Nautilus, specifically in our journey to cultivating our own organic garden at a private island, just a stone’s throw from the main resort.

The Art of Bohemia: Creative gastronomy
Tam’s passion for creative gastronomy, for traditional Thai flavours with a modern flair, make for a perfect subject in our Art of Bohemia workshops. These workshops are designed to enrich guests’ experiences through the celebration of life’s greatest gifts – diverse and creative crafts and activities that combine a taste for elegance with a touch of trademark whimsy, providing opportunities for self-expression.
From 6–11 May 2023, The Nautilus will showcase Chef Tam’s finesse: A culinary journey to Asia, where the flavours of modern Thai cuisine are presented in fine dining style. Guests can watch her cook up a storm and be blown away by the unique presentation of her dishes. What’s more, tasters of her creations will be offered on guest arrival, at turndown as well as during the Nautilus Rising cocktail hour. And the pièce de résistance? A five-course dinner of her signature dishes at our fine dining restaurant, Zeytoun.
To taste the best of both worlds – Thailand and the Maldives – join us at The Nautilus from 6–11 May 2023. Get in touch at [email protected].