The MSME Council, part of the Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation (FCEF), has announced the inaugural “Gourmet Street Food” cook-off, set to take place in Suva next month. Scheduled for the 27th at the Paradiso Restaurant grounds, the event will serve as a fundraiser to support the Council’s advocacy efforts in Fiji.
This unique cook-off aims to highlight the skills and creativity of street food vendors by providing them with a platform to showcase their culinary talents. Watesoni Nata, chairman of the MSME Council, explained that the goal is to bring attention to street food vendors and encourage innovation within the genre.
“We’ve opened registrations not just for street vendors, but for anyone eager to express their culinary passions and enhance their cooking abilities,” Nata noted.
Tickets for the event are priced at $30 and can be purchased online via Ticket Max for general admission. The top three participants will compete for cash prizes ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, alongside a one-year membership with the MSME Council. Nata mentioned that there are 12 available spots for participants, who will be chosen based on the creativity of their proposed dishes.
French chef Phillipe Garand, serving as a panelist for the competition, expressed his desire for participants to highlight Fijian flavors in their dishes. He noted his experiences with street food in various countries and encouraged local vendors to utilize the rich culinary options available in Fiji.
Registration is currently open and free through the FCEF MSME Council’s social media channels, closing on the 26th of this month. Selected participants will need to pay a $100 fee to compete.