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LUX* Maldives launches “Staging LUX* Shining – The LUX* Leadership Program”.
Maldives Promotion House – The LUX* Training Academy, Maldives launched “STAGING LUX* SHINING – The LUX* Leadership Program”. The program is aimed at developing key Team Members within the company, and preparing them for higher responsibilities through effective coaching, guidance and introduction to the various practical concepts that will help them to achieve their goal of becoming future leaders. This is LUX* Maldives first batch of Leadership Training and the resort’s management look forward to bringing the program to more Team Members within and outside of LUX* Resorts in the near future. This first batch has 47 Team Members and they comprise of two groups. One group will go through a ‘Supervisors Development Program’ and the second group will go through a ‘Managers Development Program’.
The ‘Supervisors Development Program’ will be conducted over a period of six months. Team Members will go through various management modules and experience solving practical issues to understand and apply these skills and ideas in their working environment. The ‘Managers Development Program’ will be conducted over a period of five months and modules are designed to facilitate understanding the contemporary ways and techniques of managing teams while always maintaining an excellent service mindset. Both programs are very practical and will make Team Members understand the best practices from around the world.
As the program progresses; selected Team Members will also be given the opportunity to undergo Cross Exposure Training internally to enhance their operational experience. They will also attend and complete Short Intensive Courses conducted by the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies in Male. Each Team Member will be assigned a mentor who will either be an EXCOM Member of the resort or a Head of Department. Continuous coaching and feedback will be an integral part of the program to ensure that the Team Members are able to maximize learning during the program. Graduation ceremony of these two programs is being planned for May 2013 and it will be a truly memorable event.
In July 2012 The LUX* Training Academy, Mauritius concluded this program for LUX* Resorts in Mauritius comprising of 62 Team Members. During the closing ceremony the CEO of LUX* Resorts Paul Jones said; “As you rise and take on more responsibility, your actions will inspire others to do their best. As you lead with trust and integrity, you will bring out the best in every Team Member and take your people to the level they ought to be”. The Training Academy will work towards the same positive effect from the program at LUX* Maldives.
“The heart of our business is people and we will continue serving the industry by developing young talents both Maldivian and expatriates” said the General Manager of LUX* Maldives, Dominik Ruhl during the opening ceremony.
This launch event was attended by the LUX* Resorts Group Human Resources Manager Nicolas Autrey and Group Training Academy Manager Smita Modak.
In addition to this program, LUX* Maldives continues to educate its Team Members on building a superior service culture in partnership with the Founder of Up Your Service College – Ron Kaufman. “Here at LUX* Maldives, every day is an exciting day for our Team Members in the process of Learning and Development and our Team Members are keen to be the best of the best” Director of Training, Development and Quality Assurance, Hussain Afeef said.
LUX* Maldives also have a partnership with the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies in Malé to run an Apprenticeship Program for fresh school graduates which is run and managed by the LUX* Training Academy, Maldives. Last September eight Housekeeping Trainees successfully completed the program. In December, fifteen new hires as Apprentices and will be trained under the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Studies Certificate III in F&B Service and Front Office Operation.
“We can have the best product and best processes, but if our people are not developed, it will be hard for us to compete and lead in the Market. This is key to our business and we will continue our focus on developing Team Members at LUX* Maldives for many years to come” Dominik Ruhl – General Manager of LUX* Maldives said.
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.
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.
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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