The Miss Hibiscus Festival has made a lively comeback this year after a five-year hiatus, creating numerous marketing opportunities for local enterprises.
A highlight among participants was GMJ’s Catering and Services, a family-run business that took full advantage of the occasion to promote its commitment to fostering youth entrepreneurship.
This year, GMJ’s Catering stood out by offering traditional, authentic dishes that differentiated them from other vendors at Hibiscus Village along the Suva foreshore. Their distinctive approach reflects their dedication to cultural heritage and developing future business leaders.
Fane Vereivalu, one of the co-owners, expressed that the Hibiscus Festival was an event they had been eagerly awaiting for years.
With support from family and friends, Ms. Vereivalu explained that they aimed to create something special for the public, leading to the launch of their “Traditional Authentic Food” concept.
“We wanted to provide something unique and different this year, especially since the Hibiscus Festival attracts a diverse crowd,” Ms. Vereivalu stated. “We chose to engage our children, nephews, and nieces during the two-week holiday to teach them how to utilize the knowledge passed down from our elders about making money through traditional cuisine.”
She emphasized that the unique flavors and affordable prices of their offerings set them apart in the catering market. Originally hailing from Nukunuku Lakeba in Lau, Ms. Vereivalu was determined to be part of the festival this year.