Aziman Bibi, a chef-de-partie at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, has been honored with the Fiji Chef of the Year award at the National Salon Culinaire 2024. She expressed her gratitude by dedicating the award to her family and her colleagues within the resort’s property division for their unwavering support and commitment.
Hailing from Kulukulu in Nadroga, Ms. Bibi attended Kulukulu Public School and Cuvu College before receiving a multi-ethnic scholarship in 2006 to pursue Cookery at the Fiji National University. “I saw the opportunity in the culinary business,” she remarked about her journey.
Ms. Bibi began her career at Outrigger as a trainer, and her progression included roles as a commis chef, demi chef, and ultimately reaching the position of chef de partie. “I am overwhelmed with this award,” she stated, highlighting the hard work that led to this recognition. As a mother of three with 16 years of experience in the industry, she acknowledged the collective effort that led to her success.
In a noteworthy debut, Frances Wakeham, 20, from Sheraton Denarau Villas, was awarded the Fiji Young Chef of the Year. Originally from Savusavu, she attended Nasavusavu Public School and Savusavu High School before enrolling in the Culinary programme Level 4 at FNU. After competing in a chef’s competition, she was recruited by executive chef Rakesh Kumar at Sheraton Fiji. “I was surprised as I did not dream about it,” Ms. Wakeham shared, dedicating her achievement to her father, a chef at Savasi Island Resort who now runs his own business.
The Fiji Pastry Chef of the Year 2024 title went to Muni Vikash Chetty, a multi-award-winning pastry chef at Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort. This marks the third time Mr. Chetty has received this prestigious award, having represented three different properties over the last decade.
Looking ahead, the three successful chefs will compete in the Restaurant Challenge 2025 in Australia.
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