Fiji Sun

Resort Hosts Chinese New Year in Style

- WAISEA NASOKIA DENARAU ISLAND Edited by Maikeli Seru waisea@fijisun.com.fj

The Sheraton Fiji Golf & Beach Resort on Denarau Island celebrated the Chinese New Year in style on Sunday night.

The full programme featured a traditiona­l Chinese celebratio­n including a Lion Dance performanc­e.

Also a special regional Chinese buffet at Island 619 restaurant introduced an authentic cuisine from their executive Chef Jiapeng Ji, who joined the resort in 2016.

“We feel it to be a big special day for us, the Chinese people. We have to meet and eat with the family,” he said.

He said different provinces of China had very different food for celebratio­ns during the annual occasion.

All sorts of Chinese delicacies were present in the likes of Chinese ‘Char Siu’ pork, Peking duck, and Singapore chilli crab.

“I am always working on something new in my cooking to make sure it attracts the guests. I make traditiona­l Chinese flavour and presentati­ons,” he said.

McDonald’s Fiji managing director Marc McElrath dined at the event alongside his wife and son. He enjoyed the cuisine.

“Fantastic food, celebratin­g the Chinese New Year,” he said.

“It was wonderfull­y prepared and presented in excellent internatio­nal Sheraton standards,” he said.”

“For families, it was good to see locals and not only internatio­nal tourists. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and the fantastic sunset.”

The Wenwu Youth and Sports Associatio­n of Fiji team, which performed the Lion Dance led by associatio­n president Christophe­r Lee said, it was important to observe the Lunar New Year.

“This is the Chinese culture, we are trying to do this for the kids to learn, even though if they are not Chinese. Everyone can learn in this exchange. This is one way to teach our culture.”

He said their team of 36 dancers had been training since Christmas.

Furthermor­e, in the following months, Chef Jiapeng will be introducin­g the new Asian menu at Wet Edge restaurant, currently known for its fusion farm to fork dining and would like to feature for new dining at Sheraton Denarau Villas. The villas overlook Nadi Bay’s waterfront, adjacent to the horizon pool, The Wet Edge is the perfect venue to enjoy a light lunch or a casual dinner on the sun deck.

 ?? Photo: Waisea Nasokia ?? Executive Chef Jiapeng Ji with wife and son.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia Executive Chef Jiapeng Ji with wife and son.
 ?? Photo: Waisea Nasokia ?? McDonalds Fiji managing director Marc McElrath.
Photo: Waisea Nasokia McDonalds Fiji managing director Marc McElrath.
 ?? Chinese Dragon Dance. ??
Chinese Dragon Dance.

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