CAPTION: The Fiji contingent Departing for the Global Chef Challenge. Seen from left on Friday at the Nadi International Airport are Fiji Chefs Association president Shailesh Naidu (Outrigger on the Lagoon), Kelera Malewabau (Fiji Beach Resort & Spa – HILTON), Priya Darshani (Outrigger on the Lagoon) and Abhinesh Sharma (Sheraton Fiji Resort). Photo: MUNAUWAR KHAN.
The 2012 Fiji Chef of the Year and Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji Sous Chef Priya Darshani is rearing to compete at the Global Chef Challenge in Perth, Australia next week.
Chef Priya is part of a team that consists of 2012 Pastry Chef of the Year Kelera Nalewaba of the Fiji Beach Resort & Spa (managed by Hilton) and the 2012 Junior Chef of the Year, Abhinesh Sharma of Sheraton Fiji Resort.
The team is managed by Outrigger on the Lagoon · Fiji Executive Chef who is also the President of the Fiji Chefs, Shailesh Naidu.
The team’s participation is being funded by the Fiji Chef’s Association with Pacific Oz-tralasia as the sponsor. The team also has major backing from the Outrigger on the Lagoon ∙ Fiji; Fiji Beach Resort & Spa (managed by Hilton), Sheraton Fiji Resort and APTC.
We have gelled really well. I believe that they are all good in their area of expertise and we have trained and we are well prepared to represent Fiji,” Priya stated.
Chef Naidu says he is sure the team will impress the judges and patrons plus give their competitors a good run for their money. This is an international stage of culinary competition with very high standards on show.
We are really grateful of chef Jason Carroll and chef Clinton Webber from Hilton and Sheraton respectively for the sound training sessions. Another special mention to the world class patisserie tutor at APTC, chef Amanda Young for her highly specialized pastry training for pastry chef Kelera. I’m very sure Kelera will turn lots of head with her fine touches.
“They are a very young team and first time travelers. This is their first trip overseas and that is one excitement. The second excitement is they are competing for the first time internationally. So there’s a lot of pressure on me to manage these first timers, however in saying that, they have been good and they have really put in a lot of their own time and effort in training. I think we’ll be alright and again we’ll see on the day,” he stated.
PRESS RELEASE