Hilton Fiji Beach Resort & Spa has appointed Ashim Singh as its new Executive Chef, a historic promotion that makes him the first Fijian to hold the resort’s top culinary post. Singh steps up from the Executive Sous Chef role he has held since 2024 and will now lead menu development, kitchen operations and the resort’s culinary team across beachfront restaurants, the deli and in-room dining services.
Singh brings a broad international resume to the position, having worked in Fiji, Rarotonga, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong and Vietnam in leadership roles at five‑star hotels, resorts and restaurants. His career highlights include being named “Chef of the Capital” at the Wellington Culinary Fair and preparing meals for high-profile dignitaries, among them the President of India, the Prime Minister of South Korea and a former Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Cluster General Manager for the Fiji Islands Carey Osborne said the promotion reflects Hilton’s commitment to recognising and nurturing internal talent. Osborne praised Singh’s “strong leadership, creativity and dedication,” noting his work mentoring staff and strengthening kitchen operations since joining the resort made him a natural choice for the role.
As Executive Chef, Singh has signalled a clear focus on elevating local ingredients within an internationally informed culinary framework. He intends to prioritise fresh Fijian produce and collaborate with local suppliers while integrating techniques and flavours he gained overseas. The move is aimed at both enriching the guest dining experience and creating more opportunities for local producers and culinary staff.
Singh’s elevation arrives amid a broader push by Fiji’s resort sector to refresh and raise culinary standards as tourism rebounds. Several properties across the islands have recently announced changes in kitchen leadership as operators compete to deliver distinctive dining offerings. For Hilton, promoting a Fijian chef into a top role underscores a strategic emphasis on building a pipeline of homegrown talent within its properties in the Pacific.
Hotel management says the appointment will also see Singh deepen training and development within the brigade to maintain high service and safety standards as the resort prepares for coming peak seasons. Singh himself said he looks forward to working with the team to further develop menus, promote local ingredients and deliver memorable dining experiences for guests.
The promotion is both a personal milestone for Singh and a symbolic one for the resort industry in Fiji — signalling a shift toward greater recognition of local professionals in leadership roles previously occupied by international hires. Hilton describes the move as part of its ongoing commitment to talent development and career progression across its island properties.
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