Love Bond Leads To Set Up Of Business - Cultural Experience

A love affair born during the COVID-19 pandemic has soared to new heights for partners who have set up business in Nadi.

This is the story of Ono-i-Lau na­tive Samuela Soko and his partner Anna Chan.

Mr Soko holds a boat captain (Mas­ter Class Six) qualification and Ms Chan is a phycologist by profession from Melbourne, Australia.

Ms Chan was stuck in the coun­try during the pandemic. Howev­er, a meeting one day in Lautoka changed their world forever. The rest is history.

They have been together ever since and last year they founded a locally-owned family business Va­vavi Cooking and Cultural Expe­rience that operates on Enamanu Road in Nadi.

This is where guests, mostly tour­ists, discover the authentic tastes of Fiji, not forgetting an immersive cultural and culinary journey.

“During the pandemic, and even after that, I would have Anna’s friend visit us and would make lovo for the feast,” said Mr Soko during the Fiji Tourism Exchange 2024 at the Sheraton Fiji Golf and Beach Resort.

“As a Fijian kid growing up on occasional Sunday or especially if there is an event such as a birthday which I enjoyed the most, we would gather around as a family to pre­pare for a lovo.

Not until he met Anna did they venture into a new direction.

“Vavavi is the first of its kind in the tourism industry. They have sa­vour the authentic flavours of Fiji. We all gather around the tanoa for kava and learn about another tradi­tion we hold dear to us.

“These are just a few things our guests Experience, but it’s not just the food. It is a cultural exchange. the intimate and immersive ses­sion they get with us. so, they learn about our life here.”

At the heart of their experience is the iTaukei cooking method called lovo, where guests actively engage in preparing authentic dishes while discovering the significance of local crops, vegetation and coco­nut.

Through hands-on experiences, visitors not only learn about Fijian customs and traditions, but also gain insights into our way of life and the interconnectedness with nature.

With a focus on authenticity and personal connections, Vavavi en­sures that each guest also develops a profound understanding of the cultural heritage deeply rooted in our land.

“Do join us for an unforgettable exploration of Fijian culture and cuisine, where every meal becomes a celebration of heritage and com­munity,” Ms Chan said.

Feedback: waisean@fijisun.com.fj