The MSME Council, part of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), has announced the launch of Fiji’s inaugural cook-off event, “Gourmet Street Food,” set to take place in Suva next month. This fundraising event is scheduled for the 27th of next month at the Paradiso Restaurant grounds and aims to support the advocacy efforts of the FCEF MSME Council in Fiji.
The goal of the cook-off is to elevate street food vendors by providing a platform to showcase their culinary skills. Watesoni Nata, chairman of the MSME Council, explained that the competition intends to highlight street food vendors and encourage them to innovate in their offerings.
“We’ve opened registrations for not only street vendors but anyone who wishes to express their culinary passion and enhance their cooking abilities,” he stated.
Tickets for the event are priced at $30 and can be purchased online through Ticket Max for general admission. The top three participants will compete for cash prizes totaling between $1,000 to $3,000, along with a one-year membership with the MSME Council.
According to Mr. Nata, there are 12 participant slots available, and selections will be based on the creativity and dishes proposed by the entrants. Renowned French chef Phillipe Garand, who will serve as a panellist, expressed his desire for participants to reflect Fiji’s essence through their cooking while reinventing traditional dishes as street food.
“I have worked in various countries, and when I sample their street food, I feel immersed in their culture. In Fiji, there’s an incredible culinary potential that needs to be harnessed,” chef Garand remarked.
Registration for the event is currently open and free, available via the FCEF MSME Council’s social media platforms. The registration period will close on the 26th of this month, with selected participants required to pay a registration fee of $100.