Bringing a new focus on Fiji – and particularly next year's South Pacific Food & Wine Festival - in the New Zealand market, Tourism Fiji and Captain Cook Cruises last month combined resources to bring one of the country's highest profile celebrity chefs to Fiji.

The chef in question was celebrity gourmand Simon Gault whose role as a judge on the NZ version of the international hit cooking show 'Masterchef' has made him one of the biggest household names in the 'land of the long cloud'.

Gault agreed to make a special appearance on board Captain Cook Cruises' 'Reef Endeavour' as part of a four-day Yasawa Island cruise which attracted 95 New Zealand 'foodies' who were treated to daily cooking demonstrations including several Fijian inspired dishes and a mini Captain Cook ' Masterchef' competition for the passengers.

Menu highlights included a variety of interesting gourmand repostes among them tuna tartare with Fijian sea grapes and a wasabi vinaigrette served up with a Fijian Tuna Taco drizzled with caramel ginger sauce!!