Chefs from the Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort proudly secured the Gold Medal at the 2025 Queen’s Restaurant Challenge, which took place during Food & Hospitality Week at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. This prestigious event, recognized as one of the foremost culinary competitions in the Asia Pacific, is endorsed by the World Chefs’ Association and hosted by the Australian Culinary Federation.
In a fiercely competitive atmosphere, eight elite teams, which included international, regional, and military culinary units, showcased their skills. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Rakesh Kumar, who is also the President of the Fiji Chef Association, the winning team comprised Assistant Pastry Chef Muni Vikash Chetty, Sous-Chef Nemia Waqanivavalagi, and Junior Sous Chef Ifraz Hussein.
The chefs demonstrated remarkable culinary artistry by preparing three-course meals for 25 guests and judges, all under the scrutiny of live judging. Their gold-medal-winning menu highlighted seafood-inspired dishes featuring fresh Yasawa tuna, locally sourced herbs from the Sheraton Fiji Farm, and desserts that celebrated the tropical bounty of Fiji.
Chef Kumar expressed that this victory symbolizes years of hard work and dedication, and it’s a source of immense pride for them, enhancing the reputation of Fijian cuisine on the global stage. This achievement marks a significant leap from their Silver Medal in 2024 and showcases the growing influence of Sheraton Fiji in international culinary competitions.
Notably, alongside this achievement, Team Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort also distinguished itself by winning the silver medal, further amplifying the recognition of Fijian culinary talent. The proud victories of these teams underscore a positive trend for the culinary arts in Fiji, highlighting the skill, creativity, and cultural richness that Fijian chefs bring to the global culinary arena.
The future looks bright for Fijian cuisine, with such promising talents representing the nation on larger platforms, fostering hope for continuous recognition and success within the culinary world.
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