Malolo Island Resort New Appoints Executive Chef

Ahura Resorts has announced that Gregory Llewellyn has been appointed Executive Chef of the Fijian owned and multi award-winning Malolo Island Resort in Fiji’s Mamanuca archipelago.

US-born Gregory has lived and worked in Sydney for almost a decade but began his cooking career in New York where he honed his skills at restaurants including Mix by Alain Ducasse. Highlights of his international career include his role as Chef de Cuisine at leading Puerto Rican restaurant, Marmalade, as well as his appointment as Executive Chef of Santa Monica’s Shutters On The Beach – one of Southern California’s premier beachfront dining destinations.

Gregory joined Malolo from vibrant Sydney eatery, Wish Bone, which he co-owned and operated with friends; he was formerly Head Chef at Wildfire, owner/operator of Sydney’s The Gretz and 5-times ‘hatted’ restaurant Hartsyard.

Joining Gregory is his Australian wife, Naomi, and their three young children. He says he’s delighted to be moving to the Pacific island nation and is looking forward to discovering the local produce, new flavours and authentic Fijian dishes.

‘I’m excited to learn about local produce and ingredients from the crew and find ways to increase their presence on the Malolo menus. I’ve seen the kitchen garden and I’m keen to get involved with that. It’s a chef’s dream – having the ability to grow specific things for a menu idea you’ve got.’

He says sustainability is important.

‘I was trained to always cook with seasonal, local ingredients and to use the whole of the produce, whether it’s animal or vegetable. I’ll be doing that on Malolo.’

Malolo Island Resort, with its sandy beaches, abundant coral reefs, coconut palms and pristine turquoise waters, is a family favourite. Gregory says, ‘most of Malolo’s guests are of course, families with many multi-generational groups, so family style shared feasts could work really well.’