By Darren Shaw

English novelist Virginia Woolf famously said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”  Well, it’s no wonder our guests keep coming back to the Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji when they are treated to not only great service and facilities, but also the incredible dining experiences offered by our hard-working kitchen team who recently won a swag of awards.

Reaffirming our position in the South Pacific as a top dining destination, twelve staff from our kitchen brigade recently competed in Fiji’s annual Fiji Salon Culinaire Awards held in Nadi. They were up against a record number of 250 chefs from around the Fijian Islands, with all twelve entrants taking away medals, which is an incredible feat and one of which we are all very proud.

Twelve bronze medals, six silver, and one gold were won, and this fantastic result is testament to the dedicated and passionate kitchen team who strive for excellence in food innovation and guest satisfaction.

Gold medal winner, Aruna Devi, commis chef at Outrigger on the Lagoon Fiji.

I couldn’t end this story without a special mention about our Commis Chef, Aruna Devi, who won the gold medal for her sensational curry dish.

Aruna joined Outrigger on the Lagoon – Fiji as a steward in 2007, and it was her dedication and enthusiasm that saw her rise through the ranks to Commis Chef in August this year, and just three months later, she takes home a gold medal! This was the first competition Aruna has ever entered, and her accolade is significant on many levels, with 2009 seeing her achieve a number of professional milestones, including being nominated Employee of the Month in May.

Another special mention goes to our Junior Sous Chef Priya Darshani, who was the 2nd runner-up in the prestigious “Fiji Chef of the Year.” Priya looks after our signature restaurant Ivi, and as the only female competitor in the hotly contested category, was commended for her great workmanship, while also wowing the judges with her dessert, rated as the best in the competition.

I am very proud of our kitchen brigade who entered this year’s competition, and on behalf of the entire Outrigger ‘ohana, vinaka vaka levu.