Aziman Bibi, a chef de partie at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, won the prestigious Fiji Chef of the Year award at the National Salon Culinaire 2024. She expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to her family and her supportive team at the resort.
Originally from Kulukulu in Nadroga, Ms. Bibi attended Kulukulu Public School and Cuvu College. In 2006, she received a multi-ethnic scholarship to pursue Cookery at Fiji National University, which she viewed as an opportunity to enter the culinary field. She started at Outrigger as a trainer, advancing through roles from commis chef to demi chef, and now holds the position of chef de partie. “I am overwhelmed with this award,” she shared, highlighting the hard work that went into her journey in the culinary industry over the past 16 years.
In another highlight of the event, 20-year-old Frances Wakeham from Sheraton Denarau Villas was named Fiji Young Chef of the Year. Hailing from Savusavu, she attended Nasavusavu Public School and Savusavu High School before enrolling in a Level 4 Culinary program at Fiji National University. Her career began at Sheraton Fiji after competing in a cooking contest, where she caught the attention of executive chef Rakesh Kumar. “I was surprised as I did not dream about it,” Ms. Wakeham said, dedicating her award to her father, who is also a chef.
Multi-award-winning pastry chef Muni Vikash Chetty from Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort was honored as the Fiji Pastry Chef of the Year 2024, marking his third time receiving this honor. Throughout the last decade, he has represented three different properties in the culinary landscape.
The three winners are set to compete in the Restaurant Challenge 2025 in Australia.
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