PHOTOS: © NANUKU RESORT FIJI , © ERICA ALLEN
Nanuku Resort Fiji recently said bula to its new executive chef, Shaun Thomson, who brings more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality and culinary industry. In his new role, he oversees all the hotel’s culinary programming, including at Kanavata, the property’s restaurant and lounge. Thomson looks forward to introducing new menus, new kids’ menus, and concepts like Taco Tuesday and poolside pizzas.
Fresh and seasonal is the name of the game at Kanavata, where produce, fresh-caught fish, and tropical fruits and vegetables sourced locally shine on the menu. Innovative cocktails also highlight the fresh, local and seasonal.
Thomson’s culinary career has taken him all over the South Pacific, from Sydney and Melbourne to Bali and back to Fiji, and to various luxury hotels and resorts. His wife, with whom he shares four children, is from Fiji, so this new appointment marks a full circle moment for the family.
WHICH FOOD IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE? AND ON THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, WHAT IS ONE INGREDIENT OR FOOD YOU HATE TO USE?
My wife’s “Meaty Bone Sui,” Fijian soup with cassava, lemon, chili and light soy sauce. And, on the opposite end, I hate to use durian.
WHAT DISHES WOULD YOU SERVE AT A PRIVATE DINNER PARTY?
I would showcase what is fresh and sourced local to the area such as sea urchin, raw beef, freshwater prawns, local fruit, coconut, chili, PakaPaka (snapper), kai mussel, moca (local spinach), bush lemon emulsion, local fruit cocktail and texture of coconut.
WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEAL YOU EVER PREPARED ON YOUR OWN?
Lasagna
IF YOU COULD DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONAL STYLE IN ONE DISH, WHICH DISH WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Mudcrab, corn, lemon emulsion, fermented chili, soft herbs, caviar and Champagne vinaigrette: This dish shows different techniques, simplicity and looks elegant on the plate while it showcases beautiful, fresh produce and defines me as a chef.
WHICH CULINARY TREND WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISAPPEAR?
Plant-based chicken, beef and eggs
NANUKU RESORT, FIJI
11 Nanuku Drive Pacific Harbour, Fiji
tel 679 345 2100
nanukuresort.com
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Sep 6, 2024Indio, California is “Hot” Right Now, and We’re Not Talking About the Weather
Although most travelers are familiar with the name Palm Springs, the oldest city in the Greater Palm Springs region is Indio, California, Coachella Valley's "City of Festivals,” which has been experiencing an exciting downtown revitalization.
Sponsored Content
Remarkable Medellín
Visiting Medellín in Colombia: The Country of Beauty is like stepping into a fantastic story — literally, as the city in the Western Colombian Andes region inspired Disney’s Encanto. Here, valleys, the world’s tallest palms, vibrant communities, colorful houses, garden-like balconies and more prove reality is more picturesque than anything on film. And it’s especially more tempting following Medellín’s remarkable transformation, shedding its troubled past and reawakening as a city of innovation, art, cultural richness, modern infrastructure, thriving tourism and resiliency.
September 2024
Sep 6, 2024Escape to Tahiti for a Captivating Island-Hopping Cruise
The 118 islands of French Polynesia reveal themselves layer by fascinating layer, with the spirit of mana (vital force) linking them all the way from Tahiti to the remote reaches of the Marquesas. This is part of the world best savored on a journey that dives as deep into culture as natural beauty, both above and below the water’s surface. A cruise makes it easy to cover a lot of ground while unpacking just once (and sneaking in some work done in comfort, too, during at-sea days). And cruising offers particular appeal within this semi-autonomous French territory sprawling across nearly 2 million square miles of ocean and covering five archipelagos.
Daily
Sep 6, 2024Experience the Awe of Fall Foliage at These 5 U.S. Hotels
‘Tis the season for flannels, pumpkin spice and beautiful fall colors. With seasons changing, leaves turn to stunning gold, red, orange and yellow, making it the perfect time for travelers to hit the open road and explore five fall foliage hotels in the United States.
Daily
Sep 6, 2024Finnair Celebrates 5 Years of Platinum Wing Lounge
Finnair’s exclusive Platinum Wing lounge in Helsinki opened in summer 2019 and recently celebrated its fifth anniversary. Open to Finnair and oneworld’s top-tier customers, the lounge offers travelers a place to drink, dine and unwind pre-flight. Featuring Nordic-inspired design, the lounge offers areas for working, relaxing and dining, accommodating up to 155 customers at a time.
Take a Look at Windstar’s New “Star Seeker”
Daily
Sep 5, 2024eFlyer Reviews
Sep 4, 2024The Shelbourne Review
Facing the vast St. Stephen’s Green in the heart of Dublin sits the iconic and historic The Shelbourne. Few hotels master the perfect blend of history and luxury, but The Shelbourne gets it right. The site of the signing of the Irish Constitution in 1922 granting the Republic of Ireland its freedom from England, The Shelbourne has hosted its fair share of notable figures, from Michael Collins to Princess Grace Kelly to John Ford, the latter of which was the name of my suite.
Sponsored Content
Share Miles with Family and Friends with United Airlines
As you look ahead to winter travel, United Airlines and its MileagePlus loyalty program introduced MileagePlus miles pooling, which allows members to contribute and combine miles into a joint account. Groups of up to five members can now share and redeem miles in one linked account. As the first and only major U.S. airline to offer this feature, United also allows any MileagePlus member, whether relatives or close friends, to be in a pool with other members.
eFlyer News
Sep 4, 2024Illinois Becomes First Great Lakes State to Ban Certain Single-Use Plastic Bottles in Hotels
All hotels in Illinois with 50 or more guestrooms are now required to eliminate the use of small, single-use plastic bottles containing personal care products in individual rooms and public bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. By Jan 1, 2026, all hotels are expected to make this transition.
ShareThis