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"I never planned for my Insta page to be a food blog," Anja confesses.

"But during 2020, before the lockdown, my friends and I found ourselves with plenty of free time. We'd experiment with desserts, snapping photos on my balcony to share on social media.”

Soon enough, Anja found her instagram page had evolved into an aesthetically pleasing collection of food photos. Encouraged by her friends, this was when Anja decided to dedicate her personal instagram account to her food ventures.

The Birth of Food Trove

The name "Foodtrove" emerged from a lively brainstorming session among friends, and embodies Anja's vision for a curated treasure trove of culinary delights. 

Drawing inspiration from digital platforms and influential bloggers, Anja credits icons like Cupcake Jemma and Preppy Kitchen for shaping her culinary style. "YouTube has been my culinary classroom," she explains. "When it comes to cooking, I follow various Asian food bloggers and that’s where most of my inspiration comes from.”

Simplicity defines Anja's approach to content creation. "My process is straightforward," she explains. "I cook or bake in my spare time, research ingredients, and execute the recipe with care. In the photography stage, Anja keeps it simple by using her phone to capture her creations. "Selecting the best ones for the page has taught me a lot about food photography."

The Evolution of Food Culture 

Navigating Male's culinary scene presents its challenges, with sourcing specific ingredients often proving to be a hurdle. Yet, Anja remains optimistic about the evolving food culture. "Things are getting better," she says, adding that there's a growing curiosity about diverse cuisines in the Maldives, creating a demand for less commonly seen ingredients."

Reflecting on her blogging journey, Anja notes the significance of community engagement. "Receiving messages from others who were inspired by my page to share their culinary creations is truly special," she shares. "Sharing recipes and ingredient sources truly fosters a sense of community.”

Growing Bigger and Better

Embracing culinary trends with enthusiasm, Anja enjoys recreating viral recipes, infusing her culinary repertoire with excitement. “ [My advice] to anyone who enjoys making food is to not let fear of judgement keep you from sharing your creations” Anja says, adding that everybody has to start somewhere.

Collaborations have enriched her journey, with a focus on supporting small businesses and nurturing genuine friendships within the blogging community. “ I think it’s very important to support small businesses,” she says.

Looking ahead, Anja envisions expanding her online presence with a dedicated website featuring her original recipes. "Someday, In Sha Allah," she muses, envisioning a future where Foodtrove continues to inspire and delight culinary enthusiasts.