Bula! A Fijian Indian Pop-Up Dinner
A multicourse dinner with wine and beer for sale. This is not a cooking class. Guests will be seated at communal tables, with some family-style dining. Review our registration and cancellation policies here.
Bula! Come and enjoy an evening with Fijian food, friends, and Taki!
Bula (boo-lah) is a Fijian word that has a variety of meanings and uses. Its literal meaning is "life," and, when used as a greeting, it implies wishes for continued good health. And Taki is a special means to meet this end.
Traditionally, taki is shots of kava, a ceremonial drink from the Fiji Islands to help you de-stress with friends and family after a long day. We'll be brewing some kava to start the dinner, which features Indian Fijian flavors. This fusion of spices (think cumin, mustard, etc.) and island ingredients (coconut, taro, cassava) are a product of the immigration of Indian laborers to the Fijian sugar plantations in the 1800s. Please join us - along with Chef James Raven Chand of Curryous Catering - in this four-course meal of family recipes and the tradition of Taki!
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Amuse-Bouche
Kava-Infused Pani Puri – Crisp semolina shells filled with spiced tamarind water, a hint of kava.
First Course
Ika Kokoda Chaat – Fijian-style ceviche with local halibut cured in coconut milk, lime, and green chilies, served with crispy taro chips.
Second Course
Chili-Garlic Taro Tikki – Pan-seared taro cakes infused with cumin, curry leaves, and red chilies, paired with a tangy tamarind-date chutney.
Main Course
Fijian Lamb Curry—Succulent lamb curry slow-cooked in Indo-Fijian masala
Fijian Jackfruit Tarkari—Tender young jackfruit pan-fried in a fragrant blend of aromatics, Indo-Fijian masala, and curry leaves
Housemade Crispy Puris
Pineapple Raita
Jeera Rice
Sauteed Bok Choy
Daal
Dessert
Fijian Vakalolo Coconut & Banana Cake – A moist and tender cake inspired by the traditional Fijian dessert, Vakalolo, made with ripe bananas, freshly grated coconut, and warm island spices. Baked to golden perfection and finished with a drizzle of caramelized coconut cream and toasted coconut flakes.
This menu contains the following common allergens: Eggs, Dairy, Fish, Tree Nuts, Wheat. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions that concern your ability to dine, please e-mail info@18reasons.org before purchasing a ticket.
From the time James Chand was a very young child, he has had a deep love of food—specifically the flavors of India and Fiji. His family, who were from the Fiji Islands, were all excellent cooks and kept him nearby in the kitchen from a very young age. By the time he could hold a spoon, he was helping cook for family events. One day, on a whim, a friend asked James to cater a birthday party. James obliged, and the food he cooked—all traditional Fijian-Indian dishes—was a huge hit. Soon, more friends (and friends of friends) began asking James to cater their affairs, and it became clear to James that he had found his true calling. He left his job in corporate sales, and set about founding a catering company. You can visit Curryous Catering by clicking here.
Photo courtesy of Curryous
