A shy lad from the Sun Coast of Rakiraki is shining high after being appointed as the head chef at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel, Lautoka.
Karneel Manik Samy now manages a group of 12 Chefs at the Fins Restaurant of the iconic hotel.
After completing his Trade Certificates III and IV in Cookery at the Fiji National University in 2014, and a short venture at the Hard Rock Café at Port Denarau, Mr Samy first joined his hometown’s Tanoa Rakiraki Hotel as a Chef in 2015.
He began work at the Lautoka location in June 2019.
“I would like to thank the directors and executive management for confiding in me to lead the culinary team at the most iconic hotel in Lautoka, the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel. I have worked with most of my colleagues during my time here and will continue to work together to ensure our guests’ dining experience is second to none in the Sugar City,” Mr Samy said.
Mr Samy is also grateful to group executive chef Sarjheel Singh for mentoring and guiding him in his journey.
Identifying cooking as one of his hobbies, Mr Samy does not limit his passion to what is on the menu but seeks to explore his love for the culinary arts in creating new dishes to delight his guests.
Group Human Resources manager Sharol Kumar Vere said: “This is yet another home-grown talent, that through his hard work and determination has progressed in his career through the years, and we look forward to many more to come.”
Tanoa Hotel Group Area GM Narend Kumar said: “Tanoa way is all about growing from within and Karneel’s appointment reassures our commitment in developing local talents for senior management roles.”
The Tanoa Waterfront Hotel is one of the eight family-owned and operated Tanoa hotels established more than 50 years ago in Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga.
