FNPF-Owned IHG Hotels & Resorts Secure 14 Awards Across Fiji's Premier Hospitality Competitions

Tuesday 03rd November, 2026 (Natadola, Fiji): Food and Beverage professionals from FNPF-Owned IHG Hotels & Resorts have earned top honours at HOTEC 2026 and the Crest Chicken National Salon Culinaire 2026, showcasing the strength of local talent across InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel, and Holiday Inn Suva. 

At HOTEC 2026, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa's Theodore Reyes claimed Gold in the Bartender Competition, marking his second national title following his 2024 win, while Rimal Prasad won the Best Barista Competition

At the Crest Chicken National Salon Culinaire 2026, chefs from the three hotels earned five Silver and seven Bronze medals, while Holiday Inn Suva's Chang Kay Yee was awarded the Fiji Young Chef of the Year 2026 title. 

"These achievements reflect the passion, dedication and professionalism of our colleagues, who continue to raise the bar for hospitality excellence in Fiji", said Lachlan Walker, Regional General Manager Fiji & Pacific, FNPF-Owned IHG Hotels & Resorts. 

"We are incredibly proud of our team and the commitment they demonstrate to continuously developing their skills and craft. Creating opportunities for colleagues to grow and advance their careers remains a key focus across our hotels, and it is rewarding to see that recognised on a national stage". 

The recognition highlights the ongoing commitment of FNPF-Owned IHG Hotels & Resorts to developing local hospitality talent through training, mentoring and career development opportunities. The achievements also align with IHG Hotels and Resorts' Journey To Tomorrow commitments, which focus on supporting communities and helping create opportunities for future hospitality leaders. 

Across InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel and Holiday Inn Suva, Food and Beverage teams continue to celebrate Fiji's culinary heritage through locally inspired dining experiences, exceptional service and commitment to excellence. 

A Group Of Men Posing For A Photo
Chefs from FNPF-Owned IHG Hotels & Resorts display their medals following a successful showing at the Crest Chicken National Salon Culinaire 2026, earning 12 awards across multiple competition categories. 

Award Winners

InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa

  • Theodore Reyes - Gold Medal, Bartender Competition
  • Rimal Prasad - Best Barista
  • Anesh Gounder - Silver, Fiji Chef of the Year
  • Shristi Lata - Silver, Seafood Live
  • Mere Jacksam - Silver, Live Dessert
  • Naufal Muhammed - Bronze, Culture & Heritage Live Cooking

Grand Pacific Hotel

  • Shahil Shivnesh Chandra - Silver, Classic Local Dessert with Modern Twist (Live Junior)
  • Ainsley Pita Fiu - Bronze, Fiji Culture & Heritage Chef of the Year
  • Awastika Sheetal Singh - Bronze, Cake Decoration Live 
  • Sharon Veena Chandra - Bronze, Fiji Chef of the Year

Holiday Inn Suva

  • Chang Kay Yee - Fiji Young Chef of the Year 2026 & Silver Medal 
  • Vijay Kumar Chetty - Bronze, Fiji Chef of the Year
  • Varanisese Kenona Nagatalevu - Bronze, Cake Decoration Live 
  • Alumita Canauvi Tawake - Bronze, Fiji Culture & Heritage Chef of the Year

ENDS 

Images to download: CLICK HERE

Media Contact

[Ling Peng, +679 673 3300 +679 999 5813] 
[[email protected]]

Notes to Editors

About FNPF-owned IHG Fiji Hotels

FNPF-owned IHG Fiji Hotels portfolio includes InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Grand Pacific Hotel and Holiday Inn Suva.

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