(CNN) — With the threat of rising sea levels hanging over the resort islands of the Maldives, the country’s hospitality industry is continually seeking out new ways to operate as sustainably as possible.
Among the areas currently under the spotlight: cuisine. With resorts trying to reduce their high energy and resource demands in a country where much of the food is imported, some restaurants have been stepping things up even further.
Leading the way is Roots, a new plant-based dining concept at Patina Maldives — an island resort in the Fari islands that opened in 2021– which aims to wow guests with its delicious, modern vegetarian dishes.
“At Roots, we are advocates of a plant-based diet. We’ve a special menu that is coming from our very own organic garden. We grow everything in our organic garden,” says Abdulla Rifzan, junior sous chef at Patina Maldives.
Born in Gemanafushi in the Huvadhoo atoll, the Maldivian chef trained …