One of his fist tasks since being General Manager at the Fiji Beach Resort & Spa, managed by Hilton, Frederic Lebegue has announced the appointment of Shane Avant as Executive Chef.

Mr Avant, who joins Hilton Worldwide from Vomo Island Resort where he held the position of Executive Chef, will be responsible for the operations of the resort's dining outlets.

Mr Avant began his career working under one of New Zealand's finest and most awarded chefs, Phillip Kraal, at Le Bon Bolli in Christchurch, before moving to The George, Christchurch's boutique luxury hotel. While in this role, he won the Oceanic final of the Confrerie De La Chaine des Rotisseurs Young Commis Chefs and went on to be awarded second place in the prestigious world finals in Paris.

Mr Avant has held top positions in renowned hotel and restaurants, including Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong, Peppers Palm Bay in the Whitsundays, and Peppers Spices Peak Lodge near Brisbane.