The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort appoints Alberto Burgio as Executive Chef

The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort has announced the appointment of Alberto Burgio as Executive Chef. With more than a decade of progressive experience in luxury hotels, fine dining and high-volume restaurant operations across the UAE, the UK and Italy, Chef Alberto brings extensive expertise and a distinctive culinary perspective to the resort’s dining programme.

In his new position, Chef Alberto will lead the culinary strategy and operations across the resort’s three signature restaurants: Island Kitchen, the all-day dining venue; Hawker, the street-food-inspired outlet; and The Pearl, the resort’s elevated Japanese specialty restaurant. He will also oversee bespoke destination dining experiences.

Originally from Sicily, Italy, Chef Alberto has established an impressive career, guiding multicultural teams, crafting innovative menus and delivering refined dining experiences while ensuring cost control and operational efficiency. Most recently, he served as Executive Chef at Amwaj Rotana JBR in Dubai, where he oversaw culinary operations across seven outlets and contributed to securing Green Key certification from Dubai Sustainable Tourism — a commitment that aligns closely with The Westin Maldives’ focus on sustainability and responsible hospitality.

Chef Alberto is drawn to the profession for its pace, precision and the responsibility of consistently delivering guest satisfaction. He thrives in an environment of continuous improvement, one that challenges boundaries and encourages creative advancement. This appointment marks his first role in the Maldives, and he arrives with genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity to connect with the natural environment and fully engage in the guest experience. Outside the kitchen, he is an avid football enthusiast who enjoys following the sport.

For Chef Alberto, both wellness and indulgence emerge from thoughtful culinary creation. He believes these begin with the careful selection of ingredients and an understanding of their nutritional value, enabling guests to make informed decisions — whether monitoring calorie intake or understanding the source of key nutrients. In his view, indulgence is achieved through depth of flavour, refined technique and the evocation of memory, converging with wellness in the way guests feel after dining.

This philosophy aligns closely with Westin’s Eat Well pillar. Central to his approach is ensuring that guests feel informed and confident about what they are consuming, enhancing their overall dining experience. This complements the broader Westin wellness pillars, supporting guests in their efforts to Move Well and enjoy restorative sleep throughout their stay.

“We are delighted to welcome Chef Alberto Burgio to The Westin Maldives family. His extensive experience in luxury hospitality, combined with his innovative culinary approach and strong commitment to wellness, makes him an ideal addition to our resort,” said Vijay Kumar, General Manager of The Westin Maldives Miriandhoo Resort. “Chef Alberto’s philosophy of creating dishes that are both indulgent and nourishing aligns perfectly with our brand values and with our guests’ expectations. We are confident that under his leadership, our culinary programme will continue to evolve, delivering memorable dining experiences that celebrate both flavour and wellbeing.”