The School Chef of the Year winner from the 2019. School Chefs Challenge will compete at the annual
Moffat Salon Culinaire in Nadi later this year. Vanshika Archari, of Sigatoka Methodist College, won the schools event.
Fiji Chefs Association president Davendra Reddy said: “The winner will participate in the student/apprentice category.
“This is history because the winner gets this lifetime opportunity to compete with those who are already in the industry.
“This is a big step undertaken by FCA. Everyone wants to win a competition and the opportunity to unite chefs and spectators over craft and cooking will build a grand community.”
Mr Reddy said competitions are necessary for the success of the industry and the number of competitors hosted in the event was expected to go up.
“I think that the hospitality industry is competitive enough on its own,” Mr Reddy said.
“I do consider competitions helpful in supporting chefs and bartenders on an individual basis, acting as a tool for professional development.”
Meanwhile, Chef of the Year, Vanshika, she said was looking forward to her next challenge.
“I feel proud to be granted a pathway to compete with the best in the industry during Salon Culinaire. Overall it is not about winning but to brush shoulders with the top folks in the profession,” she said.