Goundar, Kumar Are Top Chefs
Helping out his mum with cooking at home from an early age was what motivated 24-year-old, Shiva Goundar of Lovu in Lautoka to become a chef.
On Friday he accomplished one of his biggest achievements as a chef after winning the Chef of the Year during the Tanoa Salon Culinaire 2017 at Tanoa Skylodge in Nadi. This has landed him a chance to also showcase his skills to compete at the Moffat National Salon Culinaire which will be held at the Fiji National University Namaka Campus. He began his career in 2013 at Tanoa Skylodge Hotel as an attaché.
In 2014, Mr Goundar was transferred to Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka where he is currently working.
In that year, he participated in the competition and got the bronze medal.
In 2015 he also participated in the competition and was second in the Junior Chef of the Year category.
In 2016 he was ranked second in the Chef of the Year category.
This year was the icing on the cake. “It’s a good chance for us chefs because in this field we learn each and every day, it’s a good chance for us to showcase our skills,” Mr Goundar said.
He added that he was the first from his family to take up the profession.
“My childhood dream was to become a chef. My dad passed away and since then I helped my mother with the cooking at home and that is where I got my interest to become a chef.
“I was a bright student in school and people used to ask me why I wanted to become a chef instead.
“I wanted to do something I was passionate,about something that would make me feel good.”
Mr Goundar hopes to win the National Chef of the Year competition during the Moffat National Salon Culinaire.
Junior Chef of the Year
Meanwhile, Junior Chef of the Year, 21-year-old, Avishil Kumar said he looked forward to competing in the nationals. “I wanted to become a chef ever since I started high school and my motivation is my older brother who is also a chef in one of the resorts in Australia.
“I love to eat and make new dishes. That also pushed me to become a chef.”