Ministry of Crab collaborates with Amilla Resort Maldives

Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences has a ‘cracking’ new collaboration with the Ministry of Crab. The partnership with the acclaimed Sri Lankan restaurant brand will see a pop-up Ministry of Crab taking over Wok Restaurant at Amilla for the Easter holidays (from April 1st-14th). With a flagship restaurant at Colombo’s Dutch Hospital upscale shopping precinct, the Ministry of Crab (MoC) also has international outposts in Shanghai, Manilla, Mumbai, Bangkok and at Crossroads Maldives.

Championing the seafood of the Maldives’ next-door neighbour, the Ministry of Crab’s modus operandi is using fresh quality ingredients (with a daring no-freezer policy) to create delicious fine dining cuisine. In particular, the MoC has elevated indigenous wild-caught mud crab to unparalleled levels. Aficionados frequently refer to the MoC’s mud crab dishes as ‘the best crab in the world’.

Guests can choose whether to have their crab prepared with chilli, pepper, garlic-chilli, butter or traditional Sri Lankan curry. The crabs range in size from half a kilo to the legendary 2kg ‘Crabzilla’. But the MoC also excels at many other seafood dishes, including crab liver pate, garlic-chilli freshwater prawns and much more.

Amilla’s Easter festivities for guests of all ages will also include magical Neverland-themed entertainment and activities that celebrate the concepts of togetherness, resilience and sustainability. As an advocate of fresh, local ingredients, Dharshan is an excellent fit for Amilla’s key sustainability philosophy.

Dharshan, who was born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and Sri Lankan father, is the also the mastermind behind Sri Lanka’s famous Nihonbashi restaurant. He discovered his talent for cooking while studying at John Hopkins University in the USA, where he obtained a double degree in Computer Engineering and International Relations. Dharshan opened Nihonbashi in Colombo to great acclaim in 1995 and Ministry of Crab in partnership with celebrated Sri Lankan cricketers, Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara, in 2011.

The prolific restauranteur then opened The Tuna and The Crab Japanese seafood fusion restaurant in historic Galle in 2014 and followed up this success with Kaema Sutra contemporary Sri Lankan restaurant, which he opened with Bollywood actress, Jacqueline Fernandez, in 2017. In addition, Dharshan launched a Café Nihonbashi in Sri Lanka’s ancient former capital, Kandy, in 2018, and Ministry of Crab, Carne Diem Grill and Nihonbashi Blue at Crossroads Maldives in 2020.

Amilla’s General Manager, Jason Kruse, and Executive Chef, Andrew Smith, say they are thrilled that Dharshan will shortly be bringing his signature dishes and sharing his freshness philosophy with Sri Lankan spice and personality with the Baa Atoll resort. “Ministry of Crab is an iconic brand which will provide additional dining options for our Easter period guests,” says Jason.

About Amilla Maldives Resort and Residences

Set in the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Amilla Maldives is surrounded by remarkable marine life. The jewel-coloured island is one of the biggest island resorts in the Maldives. Featuring only a select number of Villas and Residences (67), there’s an abundance of space where nature has been left untouched. Each Villa and Residence is discreetly distanced from the next.

The contemporary tropical accommodation features private outdoor spaces with self-contained luxury amenities such as pools, private beaches and al fresco dining areas. The palatial Residences can also be purchased under Amilla’s enticing Residence Ownership scheme. There are seven restaurants, one café, a wine cellar and two bars, along with a heavenly spa and a 1,200 sqm infinity pool. Amilla is proudly Maldivian owned and operated.