Fiji – The Happiest Place on Earth!

Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with a traditional Fijian kava ceremony in the River Room. Similar to the Japanese tea ceremony, kava preparation and consumption has a ritual aura to the people of Fiji, as well as being a link to their ancestral past. Made from mixing the powdered root of the pepper plant with water, drinking kava results in a numb feeling around the mouth, lips and tongue and mostly importantly a sense of relaxation!

Guests were invited to sample Kava with Fijian warriors and learn about the history and culture of Fiji. Drinking kava is traditionally accompanied by a ceremonial atmosphere, and the warriors guided the guests through ceremonial steps and social importance of the ceremony.

With the ice broken, guests sipped on more traditional reception drinks and admired the panoramic views of the City and Thames.

Canapes were served by the award winning Grazing Food served delicious Fijian canapes such as crisp cone kokoda (Fijian ceviche) and crab & avocado wonton. Working closely with the client, Grazing used their in-depth knowledge of international ingredients to design a range of dishes that would have been at home on an island paradise.

Grazing are located in the SE1 area, close to the revitalised London Bridge Quarter which includes foodie destinations such as Borough Market, Europe’s largest open air food market. The regeneration has attracted dozens of international food producers and forward-thinking caterers such as Grazing, making Glaziers Hall uniquely placed to fulfil bespoke catering requests.

After the reception, guests were invited down to the Banqueting Hall. Grazing prepared a Fijian inspired buffet dinner with delicacies such as marinated snapper, pineapple salsa and island bush lemon chicken. The Banqueting Hall displayed Fiji’s stunning natural beauty in high-definition on the in-built screens. Sea blue LED lighting, tropical palm leaves and island flowers completed the tropical decor.

After the dinner, the Fijian dance trio Vou wowed guests with of acrobatic displays of singing and stage dancing. The evening then continued with presentations by Fiji Tourism, quizzes and interactive games designed to increase the attendees knowledge of Fiji. Vou gave a final spectacular performance before attendees departed with a deeper understanding of Fijian culture, history and suitability as a travel destination.