Local
5 grant recipients of JOALI Sustainability Fund announced

As a leading luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand with two award-winning islands in the Maldives – JOALI Maldives and JOALI BEING – the JOALI brand is committed to safeguarding the local communities and environments in which they operate through sustainable practices, regenerative travel and responsible tourism. Part of these ongoing efforts include the JOALI Sustainability Fund initiative which was announced in early 2023 and pledges to support locally-led projects carried out in Raa Atoll (where both JOALI properties are located) that demonstrate sustainability and have the potential to create a lasting impact.
“Ever since our arrival in the Maldives, we have woven every aspect of our culture and strategy around the promise of ‘responsible luxury,’ taking ownership of and managing our own impact on the environment while promoting ecological resilience,” said Esin Güral Argat, founder of JOALI. “We are extremely proud of the meaningful changes we have been able to create during our journey and look forward to continuing this important work which includes supporting local projects such as the ones we’ve chosen to fund.”
After receiving many deserving applications, the JOALI Sustainability Fund has announced it will be granting a total of $15,000 to five projects that demonstrated their efforts and plans to impact their local communities across four focus areas: safeguarding the planet, fostering wellbeing, creating platforms for women, and nurturing ethical consumption.
The five JOALI Sustainability Fund grant recipients are:
- Rasmaadhoo School – “Green for a Healthier Life”: To promote healthier and sustainable options for the local community where nutrient foods and vegetables are scarce, JOALI will fund the school’s project to create a hydroponic vegetable garden. As part of the project, the school will also distribute seeds and plants to the community to encourage additional farming as well as develop a separate compost-making unit to support further cultivation outside of hydroponics.
- Ungoofaaru School – “Inclusive Education”: As one of the oldest and largest schools in the Maldives with almost 500 students ranging from Kindergarten to 10th Grade (ages 4-16), JOALI will fund the school’s Special Educational Needs (SEN) Programme which is in need of classroom materials and resources to better create a conducive learning environment for students with special needs. The project further aims to develop strategies and practices that accommodate the diverse needs of all students, including those with different cultural and linguistic backgrounds, to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment where students can better develop their academic, social, and personal skills to become responsible and productive members of society.
- Hulhudhuffaaru School – “Fostering the Youth”: Providing education from pre-school to 12th Grade to more than 350 students for over 25 years, JOALI will fund a project to help students learn embroidery and stitching as a new skill to generate income for their families. After receiving a special training, students will be able to create various hand-woven cloth bags to be sold around the island. The income from these bags will help students kick-start their own businesses, while also teaching them a new skill.
- Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital – “Dental Radiovisiography”: A tertiary care hospital in the Maldives serving a third of the local population, the Ungoofaaru Regional Hospital offers a full range of inpatient, outpatient and community-based health care services. With a guiding ethos to improve the health of its local community and steward the resources entrusted to them, JOALI will purchase a digital radiography system that will provide higher-resolution images and enable faster communication between doctor and patient. These images can also be stored in a digital format for future reference, and retrieval in case of any follow-up procedures.
- Dhuvaafaru Zuvaanunge Jammiyya – “Joy of Empowering Women by Farming”: As one of the most active local not-for-profit organisations, the Dhuvaafaru Zuvaanunge Jammiyya has been one of the leading contributors in developing the island, working with local councils, schools and health sectors to implement various programs focusing on the importance of coral reefs, safeguarding the environment, health education, and more. As one of the recipients of the JOALI Sustainability Fund, the Dhuvaafaru Zuvaanunge Jammiyya looks forward to expanding its work further to enhance the environmental and socio-economic growth of the community. The project proposes introducing a hydroponic system that is both easy to maintain and less labor-intensive in growing crops. The vegetables will then be sold to the local community where profits will be split between the household and NGO which will reinvest the money to further expand the agricultural sector. This introduction of this project will also be complemented with training and awareness to educate the community on nutrition and the importance of a balanced healthy diet through home gardening and self-sustenance. The nursery will not only be used as a training centre but also as a laboratory to test new technologies and varieties and to germinate the crops. Lastly, as the island is predominantly a fishing community taking most of the men away from their homes, this grant will also support women who currently have very few income-earning opportunities and provide them with economic incentives and education surrounding self-sustainability and nutrition.
For more information about the JOALI Sustainability Fund and the brand’s commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, please visit www.joali.com/sustainability-and-csr-at-joali. For further details and booking, please visit www.joali.com.
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.
Cooking
Gluten-free, vegan baking takes centre stage in Maldives with BBM, IREKS

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.
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.
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