The Miss Hibiscus Festival made a lively comeback this year following a five-year hiatus, providing a wealth of new marketing opportunities for local businesses. One of the key participants was GMJ’s Catering and Services, a family-operated enterprise that utilized the event to champion its commitment to promoting young entrepreneurship.
This year, GMJ’s Catering and Services distinguished itself with a bold move by offering traditional, authentic cuisine that set it apart from other vendors at Hibiscus Village on the Suva foreshore. Their approach highlighted their dedication to cultural heritage and the development of future business leaders.
Fane Vereivalu, co-owner of the business, expressed that the Hibiscus Festival was an event they had eagerly awaited for years. With backing from family and friends, they created a unique offering for the public, which evolved into their “Traditional Authentic Food” concept.
“We aimed to provide something different and unique this year, given that the Hibiscus Festival attracts a diverse crowd,” Ms. Vereivalu stated. “We involved our children, nephews, and nieces to teach them how to apply lessons from our elders on making a living through traditional food during the two-week holiday.”
Through their family-owned catering business, she emphasized that they stand out due to their distinctive flavors and affordable prices. Originally hailing from Nukunuku Lakeba in Lau, Ms. Vereivalu was resolute in her participation in this year’s festival.