The MSME Council, part of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), has announced the launch of Fiji’s inaugural “Gourmet Street Food” Cook-off, scheduled to take place in Suva next month.
The fundraising event is set to occur at the Paradiso Restaurant grounds on the 27th of next month and aims to support the advocacy efforts of the FCEF MSME Council.
This initiative seeks to elevate and acknowledge street food vendors by providing them with a platform to exhibit their culinary skills. Watesoni Nata, the chairman of the MSME Council, stated that the event primarily serves as a cook-off competition designed to spotlight street food vendors and encourage innovation in their offerings.
Registrations are open not only for street vendors but also for anyone interested in showcasing their culinary passion and enhancing their cooking abilities. Tickets for the event are priced at $30 and can be purchased online via Ticket Max, while the top three participants stand to win cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, along with a one-year membership to the MSME Council.
Nata mentioned that there are 12 available spots for participants, who will be selected based on their creativity and proposed dishes for the event. French chef Philippe Garand, a panellist at the cook-off, expressed his desire for participants to creatively represent Fiji through their culinary creations.
Chef Garand noted his experience with street food in various countries and emphasized the potential of Fijian cuisine, stating that while the flavors are fantastic, the current offerings in street food could be more inventive.
Registration for the event is free and available on the FCEF MSME Council’s social media platforms, closing on the 26th of this month. Selected participants will be required to pay a fee of $100.