It’s not often that you get celebrity chefs showcasing culinary skills in our local resorts.

When you do, you know it’s going to be a big deal.

Popular Australian chef, Alessandro Pavoni, of Ormeggio at The Spit, is in the country – and will be showcasing his culinary skills at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Denarau, Nadi, tonight.

The event is dubbed as a once in a lifetime opportunity to sample a take on his home cuisine from Lombardy in Italy.

Mr Pavoni said the key factor for every chef was to use the different seasons their country has.

Making use of seafood and fresh produce in season is an added bonus to the finished dish.

Mr Pavoni said there was a need to return to natural cuisine drive by their products of origins.

Tonight will be filled with the best food Fiji has, and paired expertly with Italian wines – a trip through Chef Pavoni’s origins in Lombardy, Italy, through to his current influences in living, learning and working with some of the best chefs in the world.

“If you like exquisite food and wine and want to experience something truly incredible in the culinary circles, then you need to be part of the event,” he said

Chef Pavoni was awarded Australia’s best Italian chef and is also the current holder of two-chef hats (maximum three-hats) in the Good Food Guide, one of only 20 restaurants in Australia to do so.

Ormeggio has also been voted as the #25 restaurant in Australia by The Australian newspaper and in the top 100 restaurants in Australia by the Gourmet Traveller.

Both publications reviews cite excellence in food, service and experience.

He was invited by Sofitel Resort’s director of food and beverage, Cameron Griffiths.

“I invited Alessandro to come to Fiji and do a couple dinners at the Sofitel as I want to give my hotel guests and Fiji a new culinary experience that is rarely available,” he said.

“A chance to enjoy food that is considered some of the best in Australia and enjoy a night out to remember.

Currently, Mr Griffiths is looking at more opportunities to grow the food and wine culture in Fiji.

“We want Sofitel Fiji to be known as the only destination in Fiji for the best food experiences,” he said.

Mr Pavoni and Mr Griffiths worked together at Park Hyatt Sydney for a number of years.

“In that time I knew that he was destined to be a star in Australia’s food scene,” Mr Griffiths said.

“He was the most inspiring, driven and innovative chef I had worked with, and his food was filled with passion you could taste.

“Every dish he created had a story that would take you on a journey through his home in Lombardy and it felt like you were there with him.”

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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