Gourmet Fiji

Travellers today are interested in more than just discovering a beautiful natural landscape, or a pristine beach, or a stylish resort. All of this is of course very important, but a key element for many travellers has become the quality of the food. Many people will even travel to a resort or destination simply because of the chef.

We have seen an emergence of celebrity chefs upon our television screens recently and the fact that some of these programmes are catching high ratings, and their books are topping the best sellers are testament to our interest in good quality food. We now cook restaurant quality food at home, using a vast range of the freshest ingredients. As such when we dine out , or when on holidays we expect the best.

A number of resorts in Fiji have embraced this desire for gourmet, high quality, food. For travellers, there is an expectation that produce will be the freshest possible, the food will be of a top quality, there will be a range of cuisines on offer, and even simple meals such as breakfasts and morning and afternoon teas will be a treat.

Many resorts have invested in international chefs to set up their kitchens and train their staff. The results have been fabulous. The gourmet traveller will certainly come to Fiji with high expectations, and will leave having had a culinary treat. Below is a taste of several resorts renowned for their cuisine.

Vatulele Island Resort
Vatulele is well recognized for its food with a large range from Californian to Thai, Japanese, Austral/Asian and Indian.

Fresh ingredients are flown in daily from Australia and New Zealand. Naturally there is an emphasis on seafood. Dining is planned to take in the best of the natural surrounds. In the welcoming warm weather meals are taken on a terrace outside the central pavilion overlooking the lagoon. By night tables are set under the stars and lit by lanterns and candlelight. At full moon the "dining room" is usually set by the waters' edge. Dining is usually communal, hosted by management, but romantic, private dinners can be set up in many beautiful surroundings too.

Turtle Island
Turtle Island is earning a reputation for dining on a world class scale. Renowned French born chef Jacques Reymond, regarded as the leading fine dining chef in Australia is Turtle Islands' food consultant.

Turtle Islands' chefs create one of a kind dishes out of the bounty of fresh seafood and organic fruits and vegetables that are grown in the islands own four acre organic vegetable garden.

Turtle Islands' cuisine incorporates influences from contemporary Australia, which are readapted to take advantage of the Islands fresh ingredients. In addition to fresh vegetables Reymond's menus also include fish and seafood such as pacific green lobster, snapper, yellow fin tuna, wahoo and prawns - all just caught by local fishermen.

At Turtle Island every night is a dinner party!

Castaway Island
At Castaway your day starts with a Castaway buffet breakfast including Fiji's tropical fruits and juices, cereals, hot dishes and pastries, tea selection and freshly brewed coffee. Once breakfast is over guests can enjoy an all day menu featuring light snacks and meals.

Dining alfresco under a canopy of stars dinner features an a la carte menu, featuring nightly specials. The menu features the freshest Fijian seafood and crustacean with grain fed beef and poultry. Fresh vegetables, crisp salads and crusty home baked breads can be enjoyed with your meal as can a bottle of hand selected wine from an extensive wine list.

Feature nights allow guests to enjoy a traditional Fijian Feast and Meke, and a beach barbeque. In addition guests can enjoy gourmet pizza at the Sundowner Bar - for lunch or dinner as you watch the sun set.