‘Return to Paradise’ take out culinary award

28 August 2016, 12:00AM

The Return to Paradise Resort took out the Prime Minister’s Cup at the annual Culinary Association Food Challenge for best new dish.

Unfortunately nobody was able to attend last week’s prize giving at the New Zealand High Commissioner’s residence, so celebrations of their success came a little later. 

The competition brief was to create a main course dish utilizing the best of New Zealand and Samoan ingredients. 

The Return to Paradise chefs created Paradise Lamb New Zealand lamb with a mint and beetroot salsa with wilted laupele resting on a bed of breadfruit and coconut creamed gnocchi.  

To win this award is very special to us and a real confirmation that our restaurant is turning out amazing food,” said Ramona Su’a Pale, the Resort’s General Manager.

“In our view, Scalinis is a real benchmark of the very best Samoa has to offer, so to have our restaurant now recognized with our name next to theirs on the cup, means a lot to us.”

Samoa is now becoming a true international destination and so Return to Paradise is committed to providing world class food and service in Paradise Kitchen, she said. 

Food and Beverage Manager, Raz Gilchrist has overseen a team of international chefs who have trained a whole team of Samoan sous-chefs to be able to create the high quality dishes that fuse international ingredients with the best Samoa has to offer to create truly enjoyable dining experiences. 

“We are very proud of what our team achieved,” said Raz; “We always strive to improve every aspect of our food and beverage service so this award is a huge boost for our team. 

To celebrate the win and by popular demand, Paradise Lamb will be on the dinner menu at Paradise Kitchen until the end of September, and for lunch at the weekends. 

However, if the Resort continues to receive guest feedback about the dish, Paradise Lamb may become a permanent feature.

28 August 2016, 12:00AM

Trending Stories

Samoa Observer

Upgrade to Premium

Subscribe to
Samoa Observer Online

Enjoy unlimited access to all our articles on any device + free trial to e-Edition. You can cancel anytime.

>