Did you know… Laucala Island offers tailored sustainable cooking classes hosted with ingredients entirely farmed, fished or foraged from the island.
The organic produce used in each cooking class is grown on the island’s hydroponic farm, which produces 15 types of fruit and 35 varieties of vegetables. Additionally, 85 per cent of the island’s seafood is caught within a mile of the shore, with fish ranging from rock cod and tuna to mahi-mahi, crayfish and coral trout. Animals such as poultry, cattle (including Wagyu), pigs, quails, ducks and goats are also raised on the farm. Each species is kept on a specific diet, designed to assist in a healthy upbringing. Not only does this guarantee flavourful food, but it also ensures that guests who partake in a cooking class here leave with a genuine insight into Fijian culture.
Each of the private island’s cooking classes can be modified to accommodate every guest’s taste, preference or skill level, and all may also be adapted for young children. Cooking demonstrations can also be arranged in the show kitchen for those who are interested in the chef’s gastronomic process, but are not interested in preparing the food themselves.
Classes with Executive Chef Anthony Healy
These are held in the Planation House kitchen but often begin at Laucala Island’s farms. Guests are invited to join Chef Healy for a guided tour through the farm and hydroponics, with the ability to pick and taste ripe produce that will be used to prepare the dishes in the cooking classes. Classes can vary greatly depending on guest requests and can range from making pasta from scratch for fresh lobster tortellini or learning how to prepare a local fish for a light lunch.
Classes with Thai Chef Piak Sussadeewong
Cooking classes with Chef Piak are held at Seagrass Restaurant or Plantation House kitchen and can range from simple dishes guests can make at home to a favourite dish off the restaurant’s menu. Much of the fresh produce harvested at Laucala is found in Chef Piaks recipes, including vanilla, pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables. One of Piak’s specialities is a traditional Thai dish Yaam Goong Sod created with diver-caught prawn salad in spicy lime sauce.
Classes with Pastry Chef Jon Gladson
Chef Gladson creates imaginative and exquisite desserts for Plantation House as well as low-key fun snacks for the Beach Bar. Baking and pastry classes are held in the pastry kitchen located in Plantation House Restaurant and can include anything from simple bread making to cake decorating and chocolate-making classes. Many of his desserts feature coconut, and with almost a quarter of the Island covered in copra plantations, coconuts are one of the signature themes of the culinary experience at Laucala Island.
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