Our Story
The journey behind the craft
"Quality, consistency, and passion, I think these are the three things which you should always hold on to."
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Aminath Saeed
Our Story
From Corporate Sales to Award-Winning Pastry Chef
Chef Aminath Hameed (Ainthu) never planned to become a pastry chef. Her childhood dream was to become an accountant—and she pursued exactly that, working in corporate sales and accounting after her A'levels .
But a spontaneous decision changed everything. In 2014, she took a cake-decorating course and soon found herself filling all her free time with orders . The turning point came when she participated in a live baking show for EVO Home—and wore a chef's uniform for the first time. "Wearing the uniform made me feel so good; I felt like I had finally found where I belonged," she recalls .
She quit her corporate job and pursued her passion full-time. She completed a culinary diploma at Win-Stone in Sri Lanka, trained under Chef Jean Pierre at Dolce Italia Bakery for six months, and took short courses in Australia, Thailand, and South Korea .
Her first major breakthrough came at the 17th Seoul International Bakery Contest in 2015, where she won a Gold Medal while still a student . This was followed by a Gold Medal at Food & Hospitality Asia Maldives (FHAM) in 2017 . In 2018, she represented the Maldives for the first time at the Asian Pastry Cup in Singapore, winning the Most Promising Talent Award .
Today, through Maldivian Patissier, she brings world-class pastry artistry to the local market—proving that resort-level quality belongs in Malé too .
Mission
To provide exceptional bakery and confectionery products through innovation, craftsmanship, and outstanding customer service while supporting the growing hospitality and food service industry in the Maldives.
Vision
To be the Maldives' most trusted name in artisanal bakery and confectionery, a brand that represents quality, creativity, and Maldivian pride on the global stage.
Our Craftsmanship
Over a Decade of Luxury Hospitality Experience
Chef Aminath honed her skills in the pastry and chocolate kitchens of some of the most prestigious resorts in the world:
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Conrad Maldives Rangali Island – Started as a pastry intern, promoted within two months
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Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi – Worked as a chocolatier, creating 20 varieties of homemade chocolate
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The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands – Returned for a strategic culinary residency, "A Taste of Homecoming"
International Recognition
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🏆 Gold Medal – 17th Seoul International Bakery Contest, 2015
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🏆 Gold Medal – Food & Hospitality Asia Maldives, 2017
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🏆 Most Promising Talent – Asian Pastry Cup, Singapore, 2018
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🏆 Best Maldivian Pastry Chef – FHAM, 2022
Innovation with Local Flavours
Chef Aminath is known for blending French technique with Maldivian ingredients. She created a kanamadhu (sea almond) and gabulhi (young coconut) tart inspired by huni hakuru, and a moringa leaf and cherry tart using dried moringa leaves from her home.
"There's a misunderstanding that Maldives does not have desserts. I've always maintained that there are plenty and that has made me want to promote Maldivian desserts as well as come up with modern desserts with Maldivian flavours." - Aminath Saeed
The Story Behind the Brand
A Commitment to Female Empowerment
The signature olive green of Maldivian Patissier is a tribute to Chef Aminath's father, affectionately known as 'Evergreen Hameed' , a well-known businessman in Addu City .
The logo a white tern holding a croissant was designed to reflect her pride in being from Addu. "I'm from Addu, which I'm really proud of and it should have a croissant in it. So the designer came up with the idea of the white tern with the croissant in its beak, and it was perfect."
The Journey to a Physical Space
Maldivian Patissier began as an Instagram-based business, selling pastries and desserts that quickly became a hit . During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chef Aminath returned to Addu and conducted baking classes for 50 students . In 2023, she was selected as a winner of the Bank of Maldives Startup Grant, receiving MVR 500,000 to establish her physical bakery . On 1 December 2024, she opened the doors to Maldivian Patissier in Malé—a space where guests can experience the same artistry once reserved for luxury resorts .
A Commitment to Female Empowerment
Chef Aminath is a passionate advocate for women in the hospitality industry. She personally mentors young women who reach out to her for advice, and even speaks to their parents to encourage them to pursue careers in resorts .
"Being a girl is not reason enough to anchor your dreams and goals. A girl is free to work anywhere the opportunity is presented, without fear or doubt."
- Aminath Saeed
