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, set to take place in Suva next month. This fundraising event will occur at the Paradiso Restaurant grounds on the 27th of next month, aiming to support the advocacy efforts of the FCEF MSME Council in Fiji.
The cook-off strives to elevate street food vendors, providing them with a platform to showcase their culinary talents. Watesoni Nata, the chairman of the MSME Council, emphasized that the event is mainly a competition designed to highlight street food vendors and encourage them to be more innovative in their food creations.
Registration is open not only to street vendors but also to anyone eager to express their passion for food and enhance their cooking skills. 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 ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, along with a one-year membership with the MSME Council.
Nata mentioned that there are 12 available spots, and the selection of participants will be determined based on their creativity and proposed dishes for the event day. French chef Phillipe Garand, who will serve as a panellist, expressed his desire for participants to incorporate Fijian elements into their dishes, transforming them into street food.
Garand remarked on the rich flavors of Fijian cuisine and noted the need for more creativity in street food offerings. He encouraged participants to utilize the array of local ingredients available to them.
Registration for the event is currently open and free, accessible through the FCEF MSME Council’s social media pages. However, it will close on the 26th of this month, after which selected participants will be required to pay a $100 fee.