Chef Obispo showcases healthy Fijian cuisine at Health Fair

People turned up in large numbers for the Health Fair at Albert Park today to explore the many options available for a healthier diet, especially through a cooking demonstration by U.S. culinary envoy Chef Henry Obispo.

The event, organised by the U.S. Embassy and Veg Fest Fiji, also showcased innovative ways to prepare local food, free health screenings, and free food samples such as vegan and gluten free popsicles and juices.

Chef Obispo demonstrated a dish made with dalo chips, roasted kumala with balsamic vinegar, a twist on hummus made with boiled ivi (Tahitian chestnut), white beans, lemon, and garlic, along with a coconut cream sauce infused with passion fruit and garnished with microgreens.

While speaking to fijivillage News, Obispo says the dish is complex in its flavours, beneficial for the body, and made with local ingredients that celebrate Fijian culture, farmers, and heritage.

He says Fiji has an abundance of fertile soil, allowing crops to thrive with minimal effort, and he aims to help people realise how easy it is to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Obispo says people are increasingly opting for processed foods with little nutritional value.

He says however, Fiji has a wealth of ingredients, culture, and heritage that are sometimes disconnected from modern dietary habits.

He says it is essential to reconnect with ancestral foods, as they hold the key to better health.

The chef also says while traditional dishes have been passed down through generations, they can be adapted with a modern twist.

Obispo adds this approach honours Fijian heritage while ensuring a sustainable future.

Deputy Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy, Will Romain, highlighted that much of the local diet has been replaced with packaged foods but one of Fiji’s greatest treasures is its natural produce, which comes from the land and trees.

He says if people incorporate more local, nutrient-rich foods into their diets and make healthier choices, Fiji can gradually overcome the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases.