Springtime at Soneva

Soneva Art & Glass at Soneva Fushi is delighted to host Benjamin Cobb for an art residency from  November 15 to December 5, 2024.  Cobb’s art is a profound exploration of the intersection between nature and human biology through captivating abstract glass forms. With over 25 years of experience in glassblowing, he has honed his expertise while collaborating with esteemed artists globally. Originally from the East Coast and a graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology, Cobb has demonstrated his craft at prominent studios across Sweden, the Czech Republic, Italy and France. Since 2002, he has served as Lead Glassblower and Director of the Hotshop at the renowned Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington.

Roger has been a key figure in the wellness sector for more than three decades. Named in Tatler’s ‘Best of the Best’ guide as ‘one of the top 8 therapists worth travelling around the globe for’, he conducts therapies, seminars and workshops around the world in energy work, spiritual healing, profound emotional recovery and growth. Roger’s unique approach combines science, medicine, Eastern wellness philosophies, psychotherapeutics and spirituality – working with you to create a whole-person, grounded and integrative pathway to wellbeing, health and a joyful existence.

During her 15-year career, Hortensia has collaborated with the UN, Olympics Sports Federations and several private clinics. She has a Master’s in Osteopathy and degrees in Sports Education and Physiotherapy. Originally focused on a traditional osteopathic approach to treating sports injuries, Hortensia’s methodology evolved to reflect evidence that stress, emotions and unchanneled trauma have a direct impact on the body. She works closely with you to get to the root of your concerns, using a unique, multi-pronged approach that combines traditional osteopathy with her deep knowledge of the body’s biodynamic, skeletal, muscular and craniosacral systems.

Born in California, Chef Rakan Aloraifi is the founder of Kit Catering and a visionary in Saudi cuisine. His culinary journey began in the U.S., where he discovered his passion for cooking, leading him to explore social media as a platform to share his creations with a wider audience. Rakan returned to Saudi Arabia, where his talent earned him prestigious awards, including the Best Chef title at the 2018 Saudi Excellence in Tourism Awards, Best Saudi Chef in 2019 from the Saudi General Entertainment Authority and first place at the National Cultural Culinary Arts Awards in 2020 and 2021. Rakan’s culinary expertise blossomed during his time as the Executive Chef at Suhail in Riyadh and AlUla, where he crafted distinctive menus reflecting the rich flavours of Saudi Arabia. In 2021, he partnered with Al Khozama Company to develop a contemporary Saudi menu for Maze restaurant in Diriyah. His passion for innovation led him to Paris in 2022, where he mastered advanced French pastry techniques. Today, Chef Rakan serves as a consultant chef for high-profile projects like Cruise Saudi and Neom Sindalah Island and recently collaborated with COSTA International to infuse Saudi flavours into their food products.

Hailed as one of the best football freestylers in the world, Marcel Gurk is the current German champion, holds ten Guinness World Records and is the author of the world’s first book on football freestyling. He made it to the semifinal of Germany’s Got Talent, Das Supertalent, and travels around the world sharing his unique skills. Having studied sport and media management in Dusseldorf, Marcel also specialises in working with children and has designed his own unique concept to help take his students’ skills to the next level. While in the Maldives, he will be hosting football freestyling workshops for Young Sonevians at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani.

For the past 10 years, chefs Adam Dahlberg and Albin Wessman have operated one of Stockholm’s most hyped Michelin-starred restaurants, Adam/Albin, offering a gastronomic dinner experience far from the traditional fine dining restaurant. Their restaurant group also includes Misshumasshu, Nori Bar, Ramen and a soon-to-be-open brasserie in the meat packing area of Stockholm. With their heritage rooted in Nordic cuisine and a passion for outstanding produce, the pair are on a mission to redefine luxury in the age of sustainability. While at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, they will be combining their signature dishes with the locally grown greens from our organic gardens to create something truly unique.