# VALE LANCE SEETO. A CULINARY GIANT IN FIJI (UPDATED WED AM)

Chef Lance Seeto‘s many friends and admirers have been devastated by the news of his sudden passing and are anxiously awaiting a post mortem to establish the precise cause. Pray God that there are “no suspicious circumstances” – as the police parlance routinely puts it – because anxiety about security in Suva is ever present in the midst of a crime wave fuelled increasingly by the drug trade.

Lance Seeto wasn’t just an all round nice guy, whose friendly manner and enthusiasm endeared him to all who had the good fortune to cross his path. No-one did more to promote Fiji as a culinary destination and enhance the nation’s reputation for good eating – something that wasn’t always Fiji’s strongest point until Lance Seeto and others such as Robert Oliver and Sangeeta Maharaj came along.

Seeto pioneered the “fusion cuisine” that is now commonplace – combining Fijian ingredients with the great classical culinary traditions of the rest of the world. He was so successful that he became culinary ambassador for Fiji Airways, taking his Fijian style of cooking to the skies and transforming the quality of aircraft meals.

There was an immediate improvement in the sometimes underwhelming offerings of the past, especially for those fortunate enough to fly in business class, and Lance Seeto became increasingly well-known and acknowledged throughout the Asia Pacific.

He was a giant of the local industry and his passing is an absolute tragedy. Our condolences go to his family and friends. May Lance Rest in Peace in the great kitchen in the afterlife. After his heavenly creations on a plate in this life, he deserves it. Someone who will be sadly missed by a great many Fijians.

An announcement by family and colleagues at the Kanu Restaurant in Wednesday’s Fiji Times refers to Lance Seeto having “passed away peacefully”.

We await the official post mortem.