CHEF SHANNON BENNETT DEPARTS VUE DE MONDE FOR FIJI…
…but only for a weekend.
The man barely needs an introduction but for the uninitiated Bennett won the coveted ‘Best New Talent’ title in 2003 and went on to found the iconic Vue De Monde, Vue Cafe and Melbourne Botanical Gardens’ sanctuary Jardin Tan in late 2014.
However, this year he’s set his sights off Aussie shores, hosting a one-off Gourmet Weekend at the Laucala Island Resort in Fiji.
Founded by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz, Laucala is 3,500 acres of some of the world’s purest landscapes. An almost unearthly place where turquoise bays meet vivid untouched reefs that have only been witnessed by a select few of ultra well-heeled guests.
Mateschitz is said to be fond of his fine food and has set up a totally self-sufficient 240-acre farm, complete with free-range pigs, cattle and chickens, along with a sizeable hydroponic greenhouse to grow vegetables not acclimatised to the humid Fijian weather.
In other words, it’s exactly the kind of out-of-this-world access to fresh ingredients that most chefs dream about and it’s all maintained by the seemingly bottomless coffers that only an energy drink magnate could afford.
We’re sure Bennett’s going to hate every minute…
Highlights from the 3-day event will include:
FRIDAY – A tour of the farms with Anthony Healy and Shannon Bennett. Fishing trip with ethical fisherman Mark Eather, Vue de Monde’s sole suplier of sustainable fish. Lunch at Seagrass Lounge and Restaurant. Dinner by Laucala’s chefs at Plantation House Restaurant.
SATURDAY – A morning cooking demonstration by Shannon Bennett. Predinner cocktails and canapés at Plantation House Restaurant, followed by dinner created by Shannon Bennett and his head chef, Cory Campbell.
SUNDAY – A traditional Fijian evening, starting with cocktails followed by dinner prepared in a lovo, and a spectacular dance performance as a finale to the gourmet weekend.
So if you’ve got the means and have some time to spare in October, we recommend booking a spot.
Or, simply enjoy the gallery of what goes on at Laucala. It’s the next best thing to actually being there, guaranteed.
The Laucala Island Gourmet Weekend with Shannon Bennett runs from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th October 2015. Email reservations@laucala.com to find out more.
