Shailesh Naidu is one of the finalists for the Tourism Leader category in this year’s ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards (FETA).

And the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort family is thrilled to have him in this award category.

“For Chef Naidu to be the recipient of this award would be a wonderful accolade for a person that has truly dedicated himself to the Fiji Tourism Industry,” said Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort general manager Peter Hopgood.

“Chef Naidu has been working at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort for 15 years.

“He initially started as a Sous Chef and then after 18 months he was promoted to executive chef.”

Prior to joining Outrigger, Chef Naidu worked at the Sheraton Resort.

He was also the president for the Fiji Chefs Association for six years.

“He has previously won the Frontliner Award twice but it is his professionalism and dedication to the development of chefs in Fiji that sets him apart from everybody else,” Mr Hopgood added.

“Even in his own kitchens at Outrigger, 90 per cent of the chefs started as trainees and through his mentorship, they have developed into outstanding chefs.”

Chef Naidu started the Master Chef Challenge in Fiji’s secondary schools.

And now in its fourth year, more than 200 secondary school students compete every year in a master chef cooking challenge.