At the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Dubai, wellness is no longer confined to the spa, it’s plated with precision, artistry, and a global touch. At the helm of this culinary evolution is Marcel Finsterer, Chef de Cuisine at Sea Fu, the resort’s chic, Asian-inspired beachfront restaurant. In this exclusive interview for House of Coco, Chef Marcel shares how the brand is redefining healthy dining by blending indulgence with integrity, sustainability with sophistication, and wellness with unforgettable flavour. From vegan tasting menus and jet lag-fighting smoothies to thoughtful sourcing and culinary storytelling, his approach offers a fresh look at what it means to eat well in one of the world’s most luxurious destinations.
Inside the Wellness Kitchen at Four Seasons Resort Dubai
At Four Seasons Resort Dubai, healthy dining has moved well beyond calorie counts and stripped-back menus. Chef Marcel Finsterer, Chef de Cuisine at Sea Fu, has built a menu philosophy rooted in the belief that indulgence and nutrition are natural partners rather than opposing forces. Drawing on a deep respect for ingredient quality, seasonal produce, and global culinary traditions, Chef Marcel creates dishes that nourish body and spirit without asking guests to compromise on pleasure. His approach reflects a growing movement within luxury hospitality where wellness is woven into every aspect of the dining experience.
How Chef Marcel Finsterer Redefines Healthy Luxury Dining
Sea Fu’s vegan tasting menu showcases plant-based creativity through dishes like Roasted Watermelon Sashimi and Daikon Scallops in kimchi sauce, reflecting Chef Marcel’s commitment to healthy dining. Sustainable sourcing sits equally at the heart of Sea Fu’s identity, with locally grown produce and responsibly farmed seafood underpinning every menu decision. Guests seeking transparency about ingredients and preparation will find the restaurant genuinely responsive to those questions. The result is a dining experience as thoughtful as it is delicious, setting a compelling new standard for wellness cuisine in one of the world’s most vibrant food destinations.
How do you balance indulgence with healthy eating when designing menus for a luxury hotel like Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach?
We believe health and indulgence don’t have to be opposites. Our goal is to create dishes that feel generous and satisfying while being rooted in clean, high-quality ingredients. We prioritise nutritional balance, working with produce at its peak and using our own techniques to highlight natural flavours. The result? Food that supports our well-being without ever compromising on taste or experience.
Can you share any innovative techniques or ingredients you use to make dishes both nutritious and delicious?
We approach wellness through flavour. It’s about choosing ingredients that are naturally rich in nutrients and treating them with care whether that’s lightly charring, fermenting, or using precision cooking to maintain texture and integrity. Our usuzukuri, for example, uses delicate slicing to create a light yet flavour-packed dish that feels luxurious and nourishing at once.
How do you cater to guests with specific dietary needs, whether it’s plant-based, gluten-free, or other wellness-focused preferences?
At Four Seasons, we aim to ensure our guests feel seen, heard, and catered to. Adaptability is key. Many of our dishes are designed with flexibility in mind, so we can easily adjust for gluten, dairy, or other allergens without sacrificing depth of flavour or presentation. With Asian cuisine, we’re fortunate as there are often simple and effective substitutes available, such as tamari for soy sauce or rice noodles for wheat-based options. This allows us to tailor dishes seamlessly while staying true to their essence.
How do you ensure that the food you serve nourishes not just the body but also the mind and soul?
Food has the power to transport people, and I love when a dish takes someone back to a special trip. I stay true to traditional flavours while adding subtle touches to suit our guests. Our Bibimbap and Singapore Noodles are inspired by my travels to South Korea and Singapore, drawing from the vibrant street markets and small local restaurants I explored.
Do you incorporate any elements of local Emirati or Middle Eastern cuisine into your wellness menus? If so, how do you make traditional dishes healthier?
While our focus at Sea Fu is on Asian-inspired cuisine, I’m always open to exploring new ideas. It would be exciting to collaborate with an Emirati cuisine expert to create a fusion concept that respects both culinary traditions. There’s so much potential to blend flavours in a way that feels authentic and innovative.
What unique wellness-focused dining experiences or signature dishes can guests expect at Sea Fu?
Our vegan tasting menu is a true reflection of Sea Fu’s philosophy – elegant, Asian-inspired, and ingredient-driven. It’s designed to offer a full sensory experience, showcasing seasonal produce, and bold flavours.
Signature dishes like Roasted Watermelon Sashimi with shiso and ponzu, Daikon Scallops in kimchi sauce, and Mapo Tofu with locally grown mushrooms highlight the creative potential of plant-based dining. The journey ends with our Homemade Matcha & Raspberry Mochi, a delicate, handcrafted dessert that captures the spirit of Japanese simplicity and precision.
Each dish aligns with our commitment to wellness, artistry, and the evolving expectations of today’s conscious diner.
Can you share any collaborations with nutritionists, fitness experts, or wellness brands that influence your menu?
While we haven’t hosted events specifically focused on this yet, we’re always open to the idea. We’re proud to have an award-winning spa team, and with Dubai being such a vibrant hub for wellness enthusiasts, there’s incredible potential for exciting collaborations in the future.
With sustainability playing a big role in well-being, how does Sea Fu source its ingredients, and do you focus on organic or locally sourced produce?
Whenever we can source locally, we absolutely do. We believe in supporting regional suppliers and reducing our environmental footprint. For ingredients that aren’t available here such as specialty seafood, we work with producers who share our values around eco-conscious farming and responsible sourcing. Our tuna, for instance, comes from a boutique farm in Japan’s Ehime Prefecture where sustainability is the guiding principle.
How do you see the future of healthy luxury dining evolving, and what is Sea Fu doing to stay ahead of the trend?
With health consciousness on the rise, guests are seeking more transparency. They want to know where ingredients come from, how food is prepared, and what it delivers nutritionally. This is pushing chefs to innovate with intention, balancing flavour with function. At Sea Fu, we’re constantly refining our approach, combining global techniques with ingredient-led cooking to ensure our menus are both nourishing and exciting.
If a guest were to order one dish from your menu that perfectly embodies the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach’s approach to wellness cuisine, what would it be and why?
The Spanish Red Mullet Fillet is a standout expression of our approach to wellness. It’s light, elegant, flavourful, and thoughtfully composed. Delicately seared and served with French spinach, beurre blanc, matelote jus, and fresh yuzu, it strikes the perfect balance between richness and lightness. The clean, vibrant flavours and refined plating reflect our belief that wellness cuisine should never compromise on satisfaction or artistry.
It’s a dish that speaks to the Four Seasons’ vision that places the guest at the heart of everything we do and is constantly evolving through creativity and innovation.
Can you recommend a smoothie recipe for our readers that is good for jet lag?
I would recommend a Yuzu Smoothie because it’s light, refreshing, and full of nutrients. It’s exactly what you need to rehydrate and fight off jet lag. The yuzu brings a bright citrus kick with plenty of vitamin C, while the banana and Greek yogurt give you a natural energy boost and help with digestion. Plus, it’s a little nod to our Asian-inspired roots at Sea Fu, blending wellness and taste in a simple, delicious way.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or your preferred plant-based milk)
- 1 ripe banana (frozen for extra creaminess)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or a dairy-free alternative)
- 2 tablespoons yuzu juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup (optional, for added sweetness)
- 1/2 cup ice cubes
Add all the ingredients to a blender: almond milk, banana, Greek yogurt, yuzu juice, honey (if using), and ice cubes.
Blend until smooth and creamy
