Fiji Chefs Association President Rakesh Kumar says the competition will bring together chefs from around the country across five major categories, giving experienced and emerging chefs an opportunity to showcase their skills and learn from international competition.
Kumar, who is also an Executive Chef at resorts on Denarau Island, says the competition will be held under the Worldchefs banner, connecting Fiji’s national competition with the wider international culinary community.
Four international judges will travel to Fiji to assess competitors, while chefs from Australia will compete against local chefs on Fijian soil.
Kumar says this will allow Fiji’s chefs to test themselves against overseas competitors, while receiving feedback from judges with international competition experience.
Competitors will be assessed on their cooking and preparation skills, flavour, presentation, creativity, hygiene, food safety and how well they use the required ingredients.
Kumar says he particularly wants chefs to make greater use of Fiji’s local seafood, root crops, fruits, vegetables and traditional flavours and demonstrate how they can be presented to an international standard.
The competition will also feature a Culture and Heritage category, with a team from Australia taking part.
Kumar says food is an important part of cultural identity, and the category will give chefs an opportunity to showcase their culture and heritage through the dishes they prepare.
He says registrations continue to come in and is encouraging experienced chefs, young chefs, culinary students and chefs from hotels and restaurants around Fiji to participate.
Kumar is also calling on hotels, restaurants and culinary institutions to support their chefs by providing the time and resources needed to compete.
He says competitions can help young chefs build confidence, discipline and experience while allowing them to meet and learn from experienced professionals.
Kumar says Fiji has the local ingredients, talent and creativity needed to compete internationally, and the aim is to create a pathway for local chefs to progress from national competitions to regional and international stages.He is encouraging young chefs who may still be unsure about entering not to wait until they feel ready, but to take the opportunity to challenge themselves and gain experience.
The 2026 Crest Chicken Fiji Chef of the Year Challenge will begin onthe 18th till the 21st of October.
