Food is at the heart of Samoan culture. Every social gathering, whether involving two people or a large group, revolves around food. In the past, Samoan families have prepared and shared a meal cooked using traditional methods, an ‘umu’, every Sunday after church. This meal is referred to as ‘To’ona’i, which also means ‘Saturday’ when preparation for the umu commences. Some families still practice this tradition.

Today, Samoa’s best chefs are creating exciting new dishes using some of Samoa’s traditional staple ingredients such as fish, root crops, coconut and leafy green vegetables. Appetizing new takes on traditional recipes tend to rely on locally available fresh produce. In so doing, such cuisine is not only healthy and nutritious but also benefits Samoa’s economy by providing an income stream for local farmers.

The Taste of Samoa package gives you the opportunity to sample the best of both traditional and modern Samoan cuisine. It begins with a traditional umu prepared at Ifiele’ele Plantation using some of the vegetables grown on the Planation. Our master umu chef will explain how the umu is made, the materials used and enlist your assistance for some of the tasks involved.

The second day of the package takes you to Apia’s famous fish market, the historic Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, with lunch at one of Samoa’s newest and most interesting restaurants. There is some free time to explore Apia in the afternoon before returning to Ifiele’ele Plantation for dinner – fresh fish should be on the menu.

Modern Samoan cuisine is show-cased on day three with a contemporary food tour through Apia. You will visit the local vegetable market and sample strange and wonderful varieties of tropical fruits, as well as cafes where you can try sweet treats and Samoan cocoa or coffee.

The package works in association with the Samoa Culinary Association to include meals either at or prepared by chefs from some of Samoa’s best restaurants. These meals use fresh, local ingredients, which are generally organically grown, to create innovative contemporary Samoan dishes.

Our food philosophy is to use fresh, locally-grown ingredients wherever possible. Some of these will be sourced from our own organic plantation. Ingredients we don’t grow ourselves will be purchased from other local farmers. Breakfasts include fresh fruit, toast with Ifiele’ele gourmet fruit spreads, cereal, eggs, tea and coffee. Dinners are all 3-course meals and include meat, fish or chicken as well as a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables.