Since 1990, Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) has been at the core of the Maldives’ hospitality supply chain. More than a distributor, BBM has become a trusted partner in shaping talent, raising standards, and building long-term capacity across the industry.

That commitment continues in 2025 through its title sponsorship of the Hotelier Maldives Awards, and its growing investment in culinary development and cross-industry collaboration.

Supporting the Ecosystem, Not Just the Event

BBM is the preferred partner for over 60 international brands. However, its true value lies in how it supports the people behind the brands. From chefs and service staff to back-of-house professionals, BBM works across the sector to create real impact.

This year, the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 expands its recognition with four new categories:

• Watersports Personality of the Year
• Diving Personality of the Year
• Airport Representative of the Year
• Resort Manager of the Year

These additions reflect a simple belief. Everyone who shapes the guest experience deserves to be seen. Not just the visible few. Everyone.

Hotel Asia and the Rise of Culinary Confidence

For more than two decades, BBM has served as the main sponsor of the Hotel Asia Exhibition and International Culinary Challenge, endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).

This platform has consistently raised the bar by bringing over 25 WACS A-Grade international jurors to the Maldives each year. Through this effort, local chefs get to test their skills on a global scale.

To further encourage excellence, BBM launched the Chairman’s Trophy, awarded annually to the most promising Maldivian chef:

• 2023 — Chef Mohamed Adhil
• 2024 — Chef Ahmed Mazim

Each name marks a growing movement. Maldivian chefs no longer compete to participate. They compete to win.

Backing Global Exposure for Local Talent

BBM has directly sponsored Maldivian chefs to represent the country at global events, including:

• HOFEX 2017 in Hong Kong, where Chef Ahmed Fatheen and Chef Ismail Naseer earned silver
• La Sial 2018 in Abu Dhabi, where Chef Mohamed Adhil won both gold and silver
• FHA 2018 in Singapore, supporting emerging talent
• Asian Pastry Cup 2018, where Chef Aminath Hameed was recognized as a pioneering female chef
• Chinese Cuisine World Championship 2019, where Chef Ahmed Mazim won bronze
• World Chefs Congress and Expo 2022, where BBM sponsored six MNU students under its Building Young Talent initiative

Creating Spaces for Knowledge Transfer

Beyond competitions, BBM hosts world-class chefs to lead pro bono Masterclasses, including:

• Chef Bruno Ménard, holder of three Michelin stars
• Chef Edwin Leow, gold medalist at the IKA Culinary Olympics

These sessions are designed to be open, practical, and rooted in the everyday reality of resort kitchens.

Recognition with Purpose

BBM’s sponsorship of the Hotelier Maldives Awards 2025 is part of a larger support system. These awards are not marketing. They are memories. They capture the faces, names, and efforts of those who make the Maldives one of the most admired hospitality destinations in the world.

“When people are seen, they rise,” said Ali Afrah Hassan, Head of HR, Admin, and Corporate Affairs at BBM. “This platform is our way of saying you matter. Not just once a year, but every day you show up to serve.”

Whether through product support, recognition, training, or infrastructure, BBM is building something larger than supply chains. It is helping shape the culture of Maldivian hospitality.

The Nautilus Maldives, an ultra-luxury bohemian private island hideaway, launches June Wellness Awakening festival—a month-long invitation to reconnect with your inner rhythm and embrace well-being in its purest form. Set within the tranquil surroundings of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the resort’s private island sanctuary becomes a canvas for spontaneous healing and soulful renewal.

At the heart of this seasonal celebration is The Wellness Reset, a deeply restorative detox experience crafted by the Solasta Spa to purify body, mind, and spirit. Available throughout June, this wellness escape can be completed over one, two, or three days at each guest’s chosen pace, featuring breath-led detox yoga, a lymphatic drainage massage, and a signature Tao’an tea bath ritual. A brand-new addition to the Solasta Spa offering, this royal ritual draws on ancient Eastern traditions to encourage natural healing, inner clarity, and deep calm.

Throughout the month, The Nautilus will also host a curated calendar of wellness offerings in celebration of Global Wellness Day on 14 June and International Yoga Day on 21 June. Guests are invited to take part in massage workshops, guided meditations, beach and aerial yoga sessions, and sound healing rituals— each designed to restore presence and balance in gentle, meaningful ways.

Signature gatherings will mark the Full Moon and New Moon phases, while creative art sessions led by local Maldivian artists offer space for introspection and expression through art and storytelling. In collaboration with Maison Caulières and Omorovicza, guests are also invited to indulge in Solasta Spa treatments rooted in French sensoriality and Hungarian mineral-rich traditions — a refined union of nature and nurture. “At The Nautilus, we believe that true wellness begins with freedom — the freedom to pause, to feel, and to follow one’s own rhythm. Our June Wellness Awakening is not a programme to follow, but a gentle space to rediscover what well-being means to you,” said Meena Grung, Solasta Spa Manager.

With just 26 houses and residences, The Nautilus offers one of the most bespoke private island experiences in the world. Thoughtfully designed with exceptional facilities and serene spa rituals, it embodies a rare form of ultra-luxury, defined by timeless freedom and deeply personalised moments. Here, wellness unfolds as an intuitive rhythm — felt, not forced. June Wellness Awakening is a gentle invitation to pause, to breathe, and simply be — by the ocean, in your own time, on your own terms.

To book, contact The Nautilus at hello@thenautilusmaldives.com or visit the resort’s website for more information here.

Renowned Master Baker Steven Selvamuthu from IREKS is currently in the Maldives, leading a specialised baking demo tour focused on gluten-free and vegan baked goods. The initiative, organised by Bestbuy Maldives (BBM), is running from May 3rd to 15th and is covering over 10 leading resorts along with professional bakers in Malé.

Through hands-on sessions and live demonstrations, Chef Steven is sharing innovative techniques and versatile recipes tailored to modern dietary trends, while also addressing real-world challenges faced by professional kitchens.

Sharing his experience so far, Chef Steven said: “The growing interest in gluten-free and vegan baking here is truly inspiring. Maldivian chefs are open-minded, eager to learn, and ready to embrace global trends without compromising on quality or flavour.”

This ongoing collaboration between IREKS and BBM reflects a shared commitment to professional development in the region’s foodservice industry. By introducing modern baking solutions and supporting skill-building at the grassroots level, the initiative is adding value to both local talent and resort kitchens.

A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added: “As consumer preferences evolve, we want to ensure that Maldivian chefs are equipped to meet those expectations with confidence. Our partnership with IREKS reflects BBM’s mission to bring world-class expertise and ingredients closer to the local culinary community.”

With rising demand for inclusive and health-conscious bakery options, the ongoing tour is playing a key role in empowering chefs across the Maldives to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting global food landscape.