The Miss Hibiscus Festival made a colorful comeback this year after a five-year hiatus, presenting new marketing prospects for local businesses. One of the notable participants was GMJ’s Catering and Services, a family-owned business that took the opportunity to highlight its commitment to nurturing young entrepreneurship.
At the festival, GMJ’s Catering and Services distinguished itself by offering traditional, authentic cuisine that set it apart from other vendors at Hibiscus Village along the Suva foreshore. Their distinct approach underscored their dedication to cultural heritage and the cultivation of future business leaders.
Fane Vereivalu, co-owner of the business, expressed that the Hibiscus Festival was an event they had been looking forward to for years.
With encouragement from family and friends, Ms. Vereivalu shared that they aimed to present something unique to the attendees, which led to the development of their “Traditional Authentic Food” concept. “We aimed to provide a different and unique experience this year, considering the diverse crowd that the Hibiscus Festival attracts,” she noted.
Ms. Vereivalu highlighted their decision to involve their children, nephews, and nieces, providing them with hands-on experience during the two-week holiday to learn how to apply lessons from their elders about earning money through traditional food. She emphasized that what makes their business stand out is their distinctive flavors and competitive pricing.
Originally from Nukunuku Lakeba in Lau, Ms. Vereivalu was determined to take part in this year’s festival.