What’s On at Soneva Jani

Lorna Green brings over 30 years of spa and wellness expertise, blending ancient wisdom with modern technology for transformative results. A yoga teacher and wellness consultant, she designs exclusive spa menus, trains therapists and champions hands-on techniques like manual lymphatic drainage. Inspired by her personal journey, Lorna fosters connection through warmth and humour, empowering clients to embrace mindful simplicity, holistic care, and the healing power of nature.

Chef and culinary artist Nawal Alkhalawi is a Saudi entrepreneur & seasoned Le Cordon Bleu-trained nutritional chef. After years of local and international experience between Saudi Arabia and London, she found her passion and niche in sustainable food practices. The preservation of heritage, art and culture is reflected in curating culinary experiences that bridge her appreciation for traditional cuisine with her global outlook & multicultural exposure. In 2019, she founded Asfar, a cultural culinary pop-up concept in AlUla, Saudi Arabia, to curate events, workshops and VIP dinners to showcase local Saudi heritage and culture through food. She has since expanded her services to include concept and recipe development for cafes, restaurants, private dinners, art galleries, holistic health facilities and clinics.

Barbara Schett stands as one of Austria’s most celebrated athletes and its highest-ranked female tennis player in history. With remarkable skill and perseverance, she achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of World No. 7 and a doubles ranking of World No. 8, solidifying her status among the elite in international tennis. After retiring from professional tennis, Barbara seamlessly transitioned into an international business career. Today, she is a sought-after celebrity endorser and global brand ambassador, representing prestigious brands worldwide. Her expertise and vibrant personality have also established her as a leading sports presenter and analyst for Eurosport, Europe’s premier sports channel, where she delivers live coverage and insightful commentary from Grand Slam tournaments.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr James Gilbert is a space engineer, astrophysicist and inventor. He is known for his work on multiple new technologies for some of the world’s most complex scientific machines, including planet-finding telescopes on Earth and wildfire-fighting cameras in space. He is currently leading the development of mission-critical electronics at Rocket Lab in New Zealand. Originally from the UK, Dr James emigrated to Australia in 2009 and – almost by accident – found the fascinating world of scientific instrumentation. Since then, his career has spanned multiple technical disciplines including optics, photonics, electronics and robotics. A passionate advocate of ‘blue sky’ research, Dr James has also led programs that take cutting-edge technologies out of the lab and apply them elsewhere to improve life on Earth. As a result, he is now an accomplished leader in academia and industry and loves to share stories that connect uncompromising technological achievements with the human condition. Dr James has a PhD in astrophysics from the University of Oxford and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed astronomy and space technology publications. He was recently named Engineer of the Year 2023 and Researcher of the Year 2022 at the Australian Space Awards. He is a trusted authority on space technology with multiple interviews on Australian national media, and his TV documentary appearances have been broadcast worldwide on networks including ABC, BBC and Discovery Channel.