Press Release No 10 –
Reserve Bank of Fiji Sponsors Local Chefs For Training At The South Pacific Food And Wine Festival
Press Release No. : 10/2012
Date : 09 March 2012
Three local chefs have been sponsored by the Reserve Bank of Fiji (RBF) to attend the inaugural South Pacific Food and Wine Festival in Denarau, Nadi from 15-17 March 2012. The recipients, Mr. Simione Toanikeve, Mr. Manueli Tabote and Mr. Tevita Kautoga are chef trainers with the Fiji National University (FNU), National Training and Productivity Center based in Nadi. This sponsorship by the RBF is part of its ongoing support programs to promote local value adding and import substitution policies and initiatives.
In making the announcement, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Barry Whiteside said that “This is a great opportunity for local chefs to learn from international chefs who will be conducting a series of workshops demonstrating ways of utilising and presenting local food and produce”. This is the second time that the Reserve Bank of Fiji is sponsoring training of local chefs for the tourism industry because of the significant impact they have on food imports. In 2010, local chef trainer Mr. Simione Toanikeve was sponsored by the RBF for a three months attachment in Malaysia to undergo training on innovative ways of preparing local foods. Governor Whiteside added that it was pleasing to note that in the last few years, more hotels were establishing their own vegetable and herb gardens and have incorporated a larger percentage of local produce in their menus.
The Reserve Bank has also entered into an agreement with the FNU to organise a series of seminars and workshops for local chefs to share their knowledge and skills on new ways to use local edible produce while designing their menus for tourists and locals alike.