Maldives Delicacy; The Pursuit & Exploration of Charcuterie

Words by Imthishal

Founded in the year 2020, Maldives Delicacy; a local charcuterie and grazing board business, shares with us the privilege of expanding palates and minds, while also paying homage to traditional Maldivian snacks we grew up on. Rooted in history, these boards have embraced innovation. They honor the gastronomic heritage of centuries past and, while celebrating the pleasure of sharing extraordinary cuisine with loved ones. Compiled by Eira Emma and Emmaz, this mother and daughter duo carries a mission to present a blend of well-balanced, healthier options alongside locally-produced timeless classics.

The culinary world is ever-changing. Every recipe has been altered, and every ingredient has sworn itself to versatility. A curricula eye witness being; the charcuterie board. We commonly associate it to a lavish and sophisticated spread, found at many special occasions. They usually consist of; cold cuts, artisanal cheese and an assortment of accompaniments. However, many are unaware that it is a tradition dating back to 15th Century France. For the most part it signifies the art of preserving and preparing meat, a concept evidently practiced in every country at the time. Once preservation technology came around in the 40’s, certain cultures kept curing, smoking and drying meat, simply due to the fact that it was delicious.

The duo’s expertise lies in meticulously crafting the charcuterie boards and grazing tables. Each board or table is thoughtfully designed to harmonize flavors and elements, enticing you to indulge continuously. In more than one way the service Maldives Delicacy provides is unquestionably personal, they cater diverse events; whether it be a your child’s birthday, corporate gathering, or even a holiday celebration, they tailor to your every dietary need and appetite. From featuring premium, freshly sourced produce, artisanal cheeses, an array of meat and delightful yet light accompaniments arranged into a distinctive display.

Moreover, they do so while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality and ethical ingredients. In addition, they take pride in their eco-friendly practices during the production process. Embracing this ethos, they use environmentally sustainable wooden boards, packaging, and disposables, while focusing on minimal food wastage.

Living in the city can be exhausting. Let’s be honest, the majority of us would settle for takeaway after a long day at work. However, our community is slowly forgetting the consequences of what we put in our body and how it affects us, both mentally and physically. Practicing conscious eating by definition involves a deliberate and mindful approach to the foods you ingest. Emmaz highlights; “Our gut is the second brain, healthy gut, healthy mental health. Becoming aware of the food that we intake, feeding the nutritions our bodies need for nourishment adds to our holistic health. Allowing us to love ourselves more and live healthy fuller lives. I think anyone can start by making small changes, looking into our current meals, making small adjustments.” Furthermore, in Maldives we are all well-aware of the cholesterol and blood pressure crisis in our community, it has come to the point where every family has one or more members suffering from this chronic disease. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a well-functioning digestive system and being mindful of the quality of our dietary choices. Emmaz firmly believes in shedding more light to this matter, by encouraging others to eat clean.

The family business has now established a presence at the SME Hub with their very own stall. Providing Maldives Delicacy with a much needed exposure for their startup, allowing them to spread their message of clean eating to every corner of the island. Located at Kiosk C-01, the stall focuses on offering health-conscious yet mouth-watering options. Contrustingly, we must remember that the concept of conscious eating is relatively nascent within our Island, but in time we will certainly get there. The stall has a selection of local delicacies that cater to different taste buds, so no one gets left behind. With new food trends popping up on social media every other week, the duo loves experimenting with new combinations, while collaborating with local producers. As for the future, Maldives delicacy hopes to expand their horizon, and further specialize in what they call “a form of self expression”