What’s On at Soneva Jani

Harry Jameson is an elite performance coach, who has worked with some of the world’s most successful names and brands over a long 20-year career. Specialising in optimal daily performance, stress management, leadership and emotional well-being, Harry has worked with clients that include partners at McKinsey, CEOs of Chelsea Football Club and ITV, the UK Prime Minister, Apple, Nike, Twitter and Lululemon. Helping the busy executive stay mentally, physically and emotionally at the top of their game has been Harry’s life’s work. More recently, Harry founded Pillar Well-being, a global luxury well-being and hospitality concept, and Harry also writes a monthly column for The Times newspaper.

Carlos Leon González is a distinguished hospitality leader with over 20 years of experience in luxury gastronomy and sustainability-driven restaurant management. As the General Manager of Aponiente Group, he oversees the operations of Aponiente and Alevante in Spain, driving the group’s strategic growth through innovative concept development, event management, and operational excellence. Under his leadership, Aponiente has redefined fine dining with its groundbreaking approach to sustainability, earning recognition as the world’s most sustainable restaurant in 2023 by The World’s 50 Best. Before his current role, Carlos held senior positions with prestigious global brands, including Mandarin Oriental, Jumeirah, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, where he played a pivotal role in revenue growth, food and beverage optimization, and guest experience enhancement. His expertise spans luxury brand consulting, Michelin-star restaurant operations, and team leadership, making him a visionary force in high-end gastronomy. With a passion for excellence and an innovative mindset, Carlos continues to shape the future of global fine dining.

Lars Lindberg Christensen is an award-winning astronomer and science communicator. He has authored a dozen popular science books translated into more than ten languages. Lars has directed more than 10 documentaries and planetarium movies that have received critical acclaim around the world. He is responsible for the communication and education for NSF’s NOIRLab consisting of Cerro Tololo, CSDC, Gemini, Kitt Peak and Rubin Observatory. Lars has more than 200 publications to his credit, most of them in popular science communication and its theory. Lars received the 2021 Klumpke-Roberts Award and the Tycho Brahe Medal in 2005 for his achievements in science communication and has been credited with leading the most successful outreach efforts in ESO’s history. During his visit, Lars will be hosting after-dinner stargazing sessions, along with talks about astronomy throughout the day.

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.

Born in Aarhus, Denmark, in 1977, Jakob Mielcke is a self-taught chef who has travelled the world working with culinary masters, such as Pierre Gagnaire, both in his restaurants in London and in the infamous three-Michelin-starred one in Paris. In 2002, he returned to Denmark as the head chef at Jan Hurtigkarl & Co., and later opened Mielcke & Hurtigkarl together with Jan Hurtigkarl in the Royal Garden Society, where he now explores his creative vision. Since its opening in 2008, Chef Jakob has won praise for his characteristic contemporary food and has become the recipient of numerous awards in and outside of Denmark. A darling among food critics, he originally trained at Pierre Gagnaire in Paris and later at Lecture Room & Library, Sketch in London, before settling in his native Denmark. There, he established a unique, multicultural and creative playground in a hidden garden in central Copenhagen, where he continues to explore his creative vision.

David Walliams is a celebrated British writer, actor and comedian with a career spanning over two decades in entertainment and literature. Renowned for his bestselling children’s books, he has sold over 50 million copies worldwide, with his works translated into more than 55 languages. His storytelling, often compared to that of Roald Dahl, has captivated young readers with its humour, heart and unforgettable characters. Before becoming a literary sensation, David rose to fame as the co-creator and star of Little Britain, the BAFTA-winning sketch comedy series that became a cultural phenomenon. His television career also includes acclaimed roles in Britain’s Got Talent, where he was a beloved judge and multiple award-winning acting performances. A passionate philanthropist, he has raised millions for charity through endurance challenges, earning national recognition, including an OBE for services to charity and the arts. With an ever-evolving career, David Walliams remains a dynamic force in entertainment and literature.

Karen Carney is a former professional footballer and now a highly regarded TV pundit and sports analyst. During her illustrious playing career, she represented top clubs like Birmingham City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Chicago Red Stars, while also earning 144 caps for the England national team. Known for her skill, creativity and tactical intelligence, Karen played a key role in England’s success on the international stage, competing in four FIFA Women’s World Cups and winning a bronze medal in 2015. She was also a pivotal member of Team GB at the 2012 London Olympics. Karen has seamlessly transitioned into the media and commercial sphere, becoming a familiar face on leading platforms like BBC Sport, Sky Sports and Amazon Prime. She has been a prominent voice in coverage of the Women’s Super League and major international tournaments, including the UEFA Women’s European Championships and FIFA Women’s World Cup. Off-screen, Karen continues to champion the growth of women’s football and inspire the next generation of players through her insightful commentary and dedication to the sport.

Varun Totlani is a rising force in contemporary Indian gastronomy, celebrated for his innovative approach to showcasing the country’s diverse produce and culinary heritage. As the Head Chef of Masque, India’s pioneering ingredient-driven restaurant, he has been instrumental in elevating it to international acclaim. Under his leadership, Masque ranked #16 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2023 and was named India’s Best Restaurant for the third consecutive year in 2024. A graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, Varun began his journey with Masque as a commis chef in 2016, steadily climbing the ranks to helm the kitchen in 2022. His vision and craftsmanship have propelled Masque onto the global stage, securing its debut on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2024. In the same year, Varun was ranked #4 in Culinary Culture’s Best Chefs in India and recognised by The Best Chef Awards with a prestigious ‘One Knife’ rating for excellence.

Carla Humphrey is a professional footballer currently playing in the Women’s Championship for Charlton Athletic Women FC. With a career spanning some of England’s most respected clubs—including Liverpool, Bristol City and Arsenal—she has made 95 top-flight appearances, showcasing her skill, versatility and dedication on the pitch. Carla has also proudly represented England at every youth level from U15 to U23, earning national recognition for her vision and technical ability. A true ambassador for the women’s game, she continues to inspire the next generation through her passion, professionalism and commitment to excellence.

Italian chef Alberto Faccani has been captivated by the culinary world since childhood, driven by a deep passion for creativity and tradition. A self-taught chef with a bold, expressive style, he has been recognised by Identità Golose as one of the “100 chefs who have changed Italian cuisine in the last 10 years.” Fusing classic roots with contemporary flair, his cuisine is a vibrant interplay of form, flavour and innovation. After honing his skills at Michelin-starred kitchens including La Frasca and Enoteca Pinchiorri, Alberto opened his own restaurant, Magnolia, at just 27 years old. Within 18 months, it earned its first Michelin star — and today holds two. A member of the Jeunes Restaurateurs d’Europe since 2005 and a familiar face on Italian television, he is also a dedicated advocate for regional cuisine through his work with the Chef to Chef Emilia Romagna Association. When not in the kitchen, he shares his passion for food through a cookery school created in collaboration with KitchenAid, nurturing the next generation of Italian culinary talent.

Dr James Gilbert is a space engineer, astrophysicist and award-winning inventor whose pioneering work has helped shape some of the world’s most advanced scientific instruments. From planet-hunting telescopes on Earth to space-based cameras that detect wildfires from orbit, his innovations sit at the intersection of technology and purpose. Now based in New Zealand, he leads the development of mission-critical electronics at Rocket Lab, one of the most dynamic players in the modern space industry. Originally from the UK, Dr James moved to Australia in 2009, where a chance encounter with scientific instrumentation sparked a cross-disciplinary career spanning optics, robotics, photonics and electronics. A strong believer in ‘blue sky’ thinking, he has brought cutting-edge research beyond the lab to solve real-world challenges, bridging the gap between deep space and daily life. With a PhD in astrophysics from Oxford and over 50 peer-reviewed publications, he is a recognised leader in both academia and industry. Named Engineer of the Year 2023 and Researcher of the Year 2022 at the Australian Space Awards, his insights have been shared on global platforms including ABC, BBC and the Discovery Channel. Through his work and storytelling, he invites audiences to see the cosmos not as something distant, but deeply connected to our lives on Earth.

Swiss-born chef Dietmar Sawyere has been immersed in the world of fine dining since the age of 14, following in the footsteps of a family deeply rooted in hospitality. Over the decades, he has shaped a global culinary career at some of the world’s most prestigious hotels and restaurants, renowned for his ability to fuse local flavours with refined technique. His innovation has earned widespread acclaim, including numerous international accolades—and the rare distinction of being one of only five European chefs to receive a Michelin star for a Japanese restaurant. Today, Dietmar focuses on consultancy and culinary leadership. In 2023, he and his wife Nicole revitalised the historic 500-year-old Gasthaus zum Kreuz in Dallenwil, Switzerland, launching two distinct dining experiences under one roof. Stübli reimagines traditional Swiss cuisine with contemporary flair, while Bijou artfully blends Swiss and Asian influences. Both restaurants were awarded a Michelin star, a testament to Dietmar’s enduring commitment to excellence and culinary creativity.