Emmaz’s Charcuterie by Maldives Delicacy

by Iyath Adam

We have a chat with Emmaz Ahmed Waseem (Emma), about her charcuterie business – Charcuterie by Maldives Delicacy. Read on to find out more about how she got into the food business and the world of making charcuterie spreads in Male’! 

Lonumedhu: First of all, tell us about yourself. How did you get into the food business?

Emma: I graduated with a law degree, and my transition into the food industry was unexpected. Hehe…Although a culinary career was not originally on my radar, I've always sought opportunities to explore new and different paths.

My initial foray into food involved making sauerkraut, which I sold for its health benefits. Eventually, I shifted my focus to charcuterie boards, which were relatively new in the Maldives at the time. I have a passion for food art, and over the past four-plus years, this venture has gained considerable recognition.

I formally entered the food sector by establishing Maldives Delicacy before the COVID-19 pandemic. Our mission at Maldives Delicacy is to support local businesses and highlight the work of women producing traditional Maldivian snacks, such as athu jehi and kudhi gulha. We collaborate with selected vendors, sourcing products from various islands and managing shipments abroad. Our focus is on providing meaningful exposure for these vendors through our thoughtfully crafted packaging, which includes their details and stories.

Lonumedhu: I think you’re one of the few businesses here who provide charcuterie boards here in the Maldives. What was it like, starting something relatively new? And what has the response been like?

Emma: Starting a business like this in the Maldives was an exciting challenge. The concept of charcuterie boards, especially with various cheeses, was quite new here. 

Traditionally, cheese isn't a big part of our diet, and many people are unfamiliar with the variety of cheeses and how to enjoy them. To introduce and share the joy of cheese, I began hosting cheese-tasting sessions purely for fun. These private events involve selling tickets and creating a relaxed, enjoyable gathering where participants can thoroughly explore different cheese pairings and learn how to appreciate the flavours. It's been wonderful to see attendees become enthusiastic about discovering new tastes and combinations in a social setting. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating the opportunity to engage in a unique and delightful culinary experience. Ultimately, my goal has always been to provide a service to the community by introducing them to something enjoyable and new, rather than focusing solely on profit, and the positive feedback so far has been incredibly gratifying.

Lonumedhu: What type of charcuterie boards do you provide?

Emma: We offer a variety of charcuterie boards tailored to different tastes and occasions. Our boards vary in size depending on the number of people, with a minimum size of two people and a maximum capacity of 100 guests. Prices depend on the number of people and the board's specific requirements. Our boards range from classic assortments with cheeses, cured meats, and fresh fruits. In addition to our charcuterie boards, we also create grazing tables and spreads for larger groups. We design themed menus to suit different tastes, such as Mexican food spreads, which feature a variety of dishes and flavours related to the theme. 

Whether a small gathering or a big event, we customise our offerings to match the occasion and make it memorable. We also customise boards to accommodate dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Each board is carefully curated to provide a balanced mix of flavours and textures, making it a perfect centrepiece for any event or gathering.

Lonumedhu: What do you focus on the most when assembling different boards?

Emma: When assembling our boards, my primary focus is ensuring the highest quality and taste, particularly for items like condiments. I always confirm any allergies or dietary restrictions before finalising an order. I also aim to make each board visually appealing and suitable for the event's theme.

I use the finest cheeses and cold meats, sourcing them fresh on the day of preparation. To maintain optimal quality, I avoid buying in bulk, as home refrigerator temperatures do not match those of commercial cold storage, which can lead to quicker spoiling of food.  I also advise customers to make sure that the boards remain at room temperature for no more than two hours.

Providing exceptional service is my top priority. Although I have two staff members to assist, I still prefer to handle certain aspects personally to ensure the highest standards are met. Balancing this is an ongoing goal for me.

Lonumedhu: Is it difficult to source the kind of high-quality ingredients like different cheeses and meats you need?

Emma: Sourcing high-quality ingredients such as cheeses and cured meats can be challenging, especially since we have limited options. We rely on Fantasy store for their wide variety of cheeses and cold meats, as well as their excellent storage conditions, which are crucial for maintaining quality. While we have considered incorporating healthier alternatives, the high cost of raw ingredients makes this a complex issue.

Lonumedhu: What’s the most time consuming or most challenging part of what you do?

Emma: The most time-consuming and challenging aspect of my work is selecting the ingredients. I spend considerable time handpicking each item to ensure that it meets our high standards. Securing high-quality products can be unpredictable; we may not always get the same items consistently, and some fruits, like berries, are only available seasonally.

Also, logistics pose a significant challenge, particularly with managing deliveries to both Male’ and Hulhumale’, including Phase I and II. Advance taxi bookings involve extra charges, which I take on myself rather than passing them on to our customers, only applying the standard taxi fare for transport.

Lonumedhu: What are your future plans for Charcuterie by Maldives Delicacy? 

Emma: My future plans for Charcuterie by Maldives Delicacy include learning the art of cheese-making and eventually opening a small space dedicated to selling a variety of cheeses. This expansion will allow us to offer even more diverse and high-quality options to our customer.

Lonumedhu: Thank you so much for your time, Emma. It was lovely to chat with you.