The Miss Hibiscus Festival made a lively comeback this year after a hiatus of five years, offering numerous marketing opportunities for local enterprises. A notable participant was GMJ’s Catering and Services, a family-operated business that aimed to promote its goal of supporting young entrepreneurship.
During this year’s festival, GMJ’s Catering distinguished itself by featuring traditional and authentic cuisine that stood out from other vendors at Hibiscus Village on the Suva foreshore. Their distinctive approach highlighted not only their commitment to cultural heritage but also their mission to nurture future business leaders.
Fane Vereivalu, co-owner of GMJ’s Catering, expressed excitement about participating in the festival, which they had been looking forward to for several years.
Ms. Vereivalu shared that, with encouragement from family and friends, they created and served a unique menu, which led to the development of their “Traditional Authentic Food” concept. “We aimed to offer something different and unique this year, as the Hibiscus Festival attracts diverse attendees,” she stated.
The family involvement was also significant as they included their children, nephews, and nieces in the venture, allowing them to learn about applying the lessons from their elders on making money through traditional food during the two-week holiday.
Ms. Vereivalu emphasized that the unique taste and competitive pricing of their offerings set them apart in the catering market. Hailing from Nukunuku Lakeba in Lau, she was determined to partake in the festival this year.