Business
Haute Grandeur Awards 2017 to take place in Bangkok in October

Anticipated as one of the most dazzling events on the luxury hospitality calendar, the annual Haute Grandeur Global Hotel and Spa Awards gala ceremony is set to take place on October 27 in Thai capital Bangkok.
The gala ceremony, to be held at the Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit hotel, commends exceptional hospitality establishments across seven continents and 172 countries, including the Maldives. Awards will be given in 94 categories.
This prestigious red-carpet event is associated with status and exclusivity, drawing admired industry influencers, decision-makers and VIPs together in celebration as top luxury hospitality brands vie for the ultimate accolade in overall excellence. Leading hospitality groups represented include Anantara, Banyan Tree, Dusit Thani, Fairmont, Hilton, Mandarin Oriental, Sofitel, St Regis, The Four Seasons, The Peninsula, Rosewood, The Ritz Carlton, and Westin amongst others.
“Hospitality is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries. Healthy competition is crucial to the sustainability of an industry that creates so many jobs globally,” Haute Grandeur founder and Managing Director Marinique de Wet was quoted in a statement, as saying.
“We are proud to contribute and encourage establishments worldwide to continuously excel on all levels.”
Each year, Haute Grandeur chooses a leading destination to host the prestigious gala ceremony. Bangkok won the bid to host this year’s gala ceremony.
“With its fusion of traditional and contemporary, Bangkok is a gift for the senses. One moment you’re exploring ancient temples and floating markets, the next you’re immersed in luxurious hotels, restaurants and boutiques,” De Wet said.
Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, the South-East Asian flagship of Sofitel Hotels and Resorts, was chosen as the ideal host venue because of its unwavering dedication to raising the standards of service excellence in a highly competitive industry. The 32-storey state-of-the-art hotel is situated in a vibrant cosmopolitan district of Bangkok, and seamlessly blends French elegance with Thai culture to offer discerning guests a magnificent experience.
“We are honoured and proud to be selected as the host property for the 2017 Haute Grandeur Awards,” Khun Oliver Schnatz, General Manager of Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, was quoted in the statement.
“This trusted awards system reflects our commitment to excellence, and recognises the talent and ambassadors who work with unwavering dedication to excel. We look forward to welcoming esteemed guests to this prestigious affair.”
Recognised as the highest accolade a hotel or spa can receive, a Haute Grandeur Award is a guaranteed golden stamp of excellence. Award winners and participating establishments are perceived as exceptional and distinguished by association.
The Haute Grandeur Awards system is unlike any other. Unbiased results are guaranteed through a fair, transparent process that recognises brilliance by means of quality guest feedback rather than the quantity of votes by a panel of judges or the general public. This unique approach to measuring excellence is why Haute Grandeur is in a class of its own.
The 2016 gala ceremony took place at the Fairmont Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, with Raffles Jakarta crowned as the overall victor.
As one of the most illustrious events of the year, the Haute Grandeur Awards gala ceremony is featured prominently in the media spotlight. Global event partners for this year include Etihad Airways, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sofitel Hotels and Resorts, and Uber.
Business
BBM: Stronger hospitality platform via Hotelier Maldives Awards, culinary development

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.
Business
Dubai Chocolate Brownies in Maldives: BBM, Dreidoppel conclude pastry tour

BBM’s exclusive Dreidoppel Demo Tour, led by Master Pâtissier Frankie Robin, concluded successfully on Apr 30th, after a 10-day pastry training series across 15 leading Maldivian resorts that requested the training. Two city bakeries were also trained on the 30th. The initiative brought together global expertise and a strong commitment to raising pastry standards in the local hospitality industry.
This year’s sessions focused on practical pastry solutions using Dreidoppel’s premium ingredient range to create Panettone, Dubai chocolate brownies, Mousses, Crème Brûlée, Fill & Gloss applications, and Caramel Chocolate Snacks.

A standout feature of the tour was the passion shown by young chefs across the islands.
Chef Frankie Robin remarked, “What truly impressed me was how prepared and passionate the young chefs were. Their eagerness to learn, experiment, and take their skills to world-class standards made every session an absolute joy.”

Grounded in real kitchen challenges—speed, flavour, and efficiency—Chef Frankie’s demos showcased how smart ingredient choices can drive both creativity and performance.
A.V.S. Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, added, “At BBM, we believe in more than just supplying ingredients—we are committed to the professional growth of the industry. Collaborations like this empower culinary teams with global techniques and greater confidence.”
The tour reflects BBM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the Maldivian foodservice industry through knowledge-sharing and access to world-class products.
Business
BBM brings Vaseline, Hellmann’s, BRU Coffee to Maldives market

Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) extended their strong and decades old partnership with Unilever International, by adding to their brand portfolio – Vaseline, Hellmann’s, and BRU Coffee for the Maldivian market.
The collaboration was announced at a Business gathering held at the Manhattan Business Hotel, attended by over 300 trade partners from across Maldives.

With this partnership, BBM strengthens its retail offerings across the Maldives archipelago. Vaseline, a trusted name in skincare, and Hellmann’s, known globally for quality food products, will now be available through BBM’s distribution network.
“Vaseline is a name that generations trust for skin care. And Hellmann’s is a global icon in flavours. We’re proud to bring both to shelves across the Maldives and enrich everyday living for our customers,” said Muksith Hussain, Business Head – Retail.
In the hospitality sector, BBM introduces Bru Coffee as an addition to its HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) offerings. BRU Coffee provides a quality beverage option for hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Maldives.

“BRU is one of the most loved coffee brands in the region. With this launch, we’re giving our hospitality partners a versatile product that delivers on both taste and reliability that can be consumed as a beverage and for the purpose of dessert preparation, something they can serve with confidence,” said Hisham Girsy, Business Head – HORECA.
The gathering served as a platform for BBM to engage with its valued trade partners and introduce these new brands to the market.
A.V.S Subrahmanyam, Chief Operating Officer at BBM, remarked: “BBM is built on relationships. This event reflects our commitment to not just introduce great products but to support, connect, and elevate our trade partners. We’re in this together, and the journey ahead is promising.”

As BBM continues to grow its portfolio and global partnerships, the focus remains clear delivering excellence, building trust, and shaping the future of trade in the Maldives.
Bestbuy Maldives (BBM) is a leading distribution company in the Maldives, connecting international brands with local businesses across retail and hospitality sectors. With a customer-focused approach and extensive distribution network, BBM continues to be a trusted partner in the Maldivian market.
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