In this episode, we’re chopping it up with the inspiring Josh Uluilakeba, AKA the Maoli Chef. Josh is a plant-based chef and entrepreneur, who’s on a mission to bring more plant-based cuisine to Fiji! Like many other Pacific Islands, Fiji has undergone economic and nutrition changes that have contributed to a dramatic rise in non-communicable diseases over the last few decades. In fact, over the last 30 years, the prevalence of these health conditions has risen faster in the Pacific region compared to the rest of the world.
And this is where Josh comes in! Raised in a plant-based family and having successfully overcome a chronic health issue of his own, Josh now keeps incredibly busy educating his fellow Fijians about plant-based cooking via his social media platforms and supplying vegan products locally. Josh’s goal is to inspire fellow Islanders to embrace healthy, plant-based lifestyles, one meatless dish at a time. And with his infectious positivity and zest, it’s a goal we’re pretty sure he’ll be ticking off his checklist in no time.
In this episode we discuss:
• Josh’s background, being raised in a plant-based family
• Dietary ‘rebellion’ during his teen years and consequent health problems
• Josh’s family pioneering the plant-based movement in Suva, opening one of the first vegan cafes
• Fiji’s Covid lockdown and the impact on local food supply
• The inspiration behind Maoli chef and Josh’s typical workday in ‘the lab’
• The move away from traditional dietary patterns and coinciding sharp rise in non-communicable diseases in Fiji
• Josh’s advocacy of healthy plant-based cuisine in Fiji
• Josh’s tips for making his tofu taste good! (Maoli Chef tofu is now stocked at Kundan Singh Supermarket for anyone who is local!)
• Plans for the future
Josh has also very kindly agreed to contribute one of his delicious traditional Fijian recipes to our Plan(e)t Cuisine campaign. Be sure to check it out on our website!
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To view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website.
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