Chef Aziman Bibi from the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort has been named the Fiji Chef of the Year at the National Salon Culinaire 2024. Bibi expressed her gratitude by dedicating the award to her family and her team at the resort, acknowledging their unwavering support and hard work.
Hailing from Kulukulu in Nadroga, Bibi completed her education at Kulukulu Public School and Cuvu College before receiving a multi-ethnic scholarship in 2006 to study Cookery at Fiji National University. She remarked on recognizing the potential within the culinary field.
Bibi started her career at Outrigger as a trainer, advancing to the roles of commis chef and demi chef, before achieving her current position as chef de partie. “I am overwhelmed with this award,” she said, adding that it reflects the hard work she and her colleagues have put in over her 16 years in the culinary industry.
In other news, 20-year-old Frances Wakeham of Sheraton Denarau Villas won the Fiji Young Chef of the Year award. Originally from Savusavu, Wakeham studied at Nasavusavu Public School and Savusavu High School before enrolling in the Culinary Level 4 program at Fiji National University. She was recruited by Sheraton Fiji after participating in an FNU chef competition.
“I was surprised as I did not dream about it,” said Wakeham, who dedicated her achievement to her father, a chef at Savasi Island Resort who now runs his own culinary business.
Additionally, Muni Vikash Chetty of Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort was awarded the Fiji Pastry Chef of the Year for 2024, marking his third time receiving this honor. Chetty has represented three different properties over the past decade.
All three winners will go on to compete in the Restaurant Challenge 2025 in Australia.
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