16 Jul 2015
Exclusive Fiji resort Laucala Island is delighted to be welcoming renowned Australian chef Shannon Bennett as a special guest chef in October. Known for his exciting, refined cuisine inspired by his love of French classical cooking, Bennett worked with the luminary likes of Marco Pierre White, the Roux brothers and Alain Ducasse before opening his cutting-edge Melbourne restaurant Vue de Monde. At the forefront of the Australian fine-dining scene, the restaurant has been awarded three hats in The Age Good Food Guide.
With his culinary credentials, Bennett's visit to Laucala Island promises to delight and inspire the guests over a gourmet weekend from Friday 23 October to Sunday 25 October 2015.
This will be the second occasion on which Laucala Island has welcomed a leading chef from Australia, following the successful visit by Peter Gilmore of Sydney's Quay Restaurant in November 2013.
During the long weekend, Bennett will host tours, give cooking demonstrations and create special one-off lunches and dinners. “I'm looking forward to collaborating with the kitchen team at the world-renowned property and to using their sustainable practices, while learning about the local produce to create a story on the plate,” says Bennett.
A private island resort set upon its own exclusive 12-square-kilometre island, Laucala stands out for its sustainable approach to cuisine. Most of the produce featured on its menus is grown on the island or harvested from the surrounding seas. The island is almost completely self-sufficient, with a 97-hectare farm devoted to full-blood Wagyu and Limousin cattle, wild goats, quail, chickens (three breeds for meat and eggs), pigs (two breeds), sheep, and beehives. A hydroponic garden produces a vast array of exotic vegetables, while the herb garden provides a range of wild herbs.
For the duration of his visit, Bennett will work alongside Laucala Island's executive chef, Anthony Healy.
FRIDAY
• An exploration of Laucala Island's organic farms with Anthony Healy, Executive Chef and Shannon Bennett, Director, Vue De Monde group. Guests will enjoy a fishing trip aboard the island's sleek Riviera vessel with ethical fisherman Mark Eather, Vue de Monde's sole supplier of sustainable fish.
• Lunch Seagrass Restaurant.
• Dinner Plantation House Restaurant by Anthony Healy, together with Paul Wilson, Sous Chef; Piak Sussadeewong, Thai Chef; and Jon Gladson, Pastry Chef.
SATURDAY
• Morning Cooking Demonstration with Shannon Bennett.
• Evening cocktails and canapés, Plantation House Restaurant.
• Dinner Plantation House Restaurant by Shannon Bennett and Cory Campbell, Vue De Monde.
SUNDAY
• A traditional Fijian evening at Laucala Island's Cultural Village. Cocktails followed by dinner prepared in a lovo, and a spectacular dance performance as a finale to the gourmet weekend.
About Shannon Bennett
At the age of 24, Bennett opened Vue de Monde in a humble terrace in Melbourne's Carlton, where he was quickly noticed for his edgy approach. In 2003, Australian Gourmet Traveller awarded him its inaugural Best New Talent title. In 2005, he relocated Vue de Monde to the historic Normanby Chambers in Melbourne's CBD, where the restaurant enjoyed six successful years, scoring an unprecedented 19/20 in The Age Good Food Guide, and was awarded Restaurant of the Year on multiple occasions. Bennett took Vue de Monde to even greater heights, moving to the top floor of Melbourne's iconic Rialto building, where it was again awarded the coveted title of Restaurant of the Year by The Age Good Food Guide in 2013. Along the way he has added other impressive eateries to his portfolio, Bistro Vue among them, and is highly sought-after for events.
About Laucala Island
Laucala Island resort is set amid coconut plantations, sandy beaches, turquoise lagoons and rich green mountains. The 25 villas are fashioned in a combination of tropical and contemporary style. The interior of each has been individually designed to suit its location, with décor by leading London-based designer Lynne Hunt. Style and sustainability go hand in hand throughout, from the natural fibres and woods used in the design, to the wild orchids harvested from the gardens.
The resort's wealth of leisure diversions include sailing, sunset cruises, snorkelling, scuba diving, exploring the aquamarine waters surrounding in a DeepFlight Super Falcon submarine, tennis and golf on the 18-hole championship course designed by award-winning Scotsman David McLay Kidd. Horse-riding, mountain bikes, a state-of-the-art gym and luxury spa are also on offer. Laucala's all-inclusive rates, encompassing a range of leisure activities, fine dining, premium wines and spirits, start from US$4,600 per night for two adults in a one-bedroom Plantation, Seagrass or Plateau villa; US$6,600 per night for four adults in a two-bedroom Plantation, Seagrass or Plateau villa; US$7,700 per night for four adults in the Overwater “Wai” villa to US$9,600 per night in a three-bedroom Plantation or Seagrass villa, plus taxes.
For more information
Laucala Island reservations
T: +679 888 00 77
Or contact:
Leading Hotels of the World, Sydney
T: 02 9377 8444
T: 1800 222 033 (Australia, toll free)
T: 0 800 44 1016 (New Zealand)
MEDIA CONTACTS
The Brandman Agency
Susie Westwood / Richard Butler
susie@brandmanpr.com / richard@brandmanpr.com
T. +61 (0)2 9299 6448 M. +61 (0)416 109 160
