Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa has launched a new main course menu’s for their award winning V restaurant this festive season featuring their new interactive dessert ‘Taste of Coconut’.

Chef de Cuisine Abhinesh Sharma said: “Fiji has a long association with the coconut so for our first dessert we wanted to pay homage to its origin in culture, cooking and daily life.”

He said coconuts are not only used in cooking and to rehydrate. The leaves and shells also have many uses in so many areas including fashion, agriculture and ceremonial.

“The aim of the dish is to tell a story, and this story is told by one of our knowledgeable kitchen or floor team as they walk you through the elements and prepare this beautiful artwork in front of you.

“This a one of a kind food experience to be enjoyed in Fiji!”

The new menu has been very popular since its launch last week.

“A part of that new menu is an interactive dessert we plate on the table in front of guests; it has proven to be a hit already,” he said.

Edited by Paula Tuvuki

Feedback:  waisean@fijisun.com.fj

Restaurant: V restaurant, Sofitel Fiji Resort, Denarau

Chef: Chef de Cuisine Abhinesh Sharma

Experience: Mr Sharma loves what he does as a chef. Being a chef he thinks is the best thing in the world. Cooking, playing with different ingredients every day and coming with one best dish is what a chefs life is all about, he adds.

He worked for Sheraton Fiji Resort (Ports O’ Call), one of the best fine dining restaurants with wonderful chef Jason Carroll, his teacher, for the past five years. He also  worked as a sous chef for Flying Fish restaurant at the  Sheraton Resort and Spa, Tokoriki Island.

Achievements: He was Fiji junior chef of the year in 2012, Global young chef of the year in Australia 2013 and Fiji chef of the year 2014. He later represented Fiji in New Zealand for the Global chef’s title.

Meal: Dessert – Tropical Fijian bliss