Celebrating Life At Shangri-La’s Fijian Resort Oktoberfest
Shangri- La’s Fijian and Spa was full past weekend. Guests enjoyed the Beach, Beats and Eats themed Oktoberfest, a German festival on Yanuca Island.
For the resort’s executive chef Rudolf Kunkel and his daughter Tatiana, the Oktoberfest was also about celebrating their heritage and culture.
Originally from Germany and having lived in Fiji and being married to a Rotuman woman, chef Rudolf says he loves working at Shangri- La’s Fijian Resort and living in Fiji.
“I went away and came back in 2016 and I have stayed ever since.
“I have been working here at the resort for more than four years.
“We have been very busy for the past couple years at the resort but COVID- 19 really changed our lives.
“However, we try to come up with new initiatives such as the Beach, Beats and Eats.
“It has been a fantastic event. “Every month we try to do something new and something different like the Oktoberfest. In Germany the Oktoberfest
Resort of life
has been cancelled, he says; but we are celebrating it here. “Everybody says Oktoberfest is supposed to be in October, but people do not know that Oktoberfest originated over 120 years ago.
“It started in October, then it was moved forward to September because of the weather conditions. So it’s always been the last week of September leading into October.”
Chef Rudolf, wearing a traditional German shirt and pants, explained their attire.
“This is a normal daily wear in Bavaria, Germany.
“But it has become very traditional that everybody wears this kind of clothes on Oktoberfest.
“Wearing dress.
“It’s a traditional dress that has become fashionable again and now.”
The Shangri- La’s Fijian Resort and Spa sold out on its Beach Beats and Eats Oktoberfest. Guests got to experience the German inspired buffet at the Lagoon Terrace Restaurant along with some fun performances from the VOU dance group and the band Inside Out. a
German dirndl