Ratu Evineri Susu
Raised by his single-parent mother, Ratu Evineri Susu knew the hardships of life and was determined to make her proud.
The Nakelo-Tailevu native who is the fifth of eight siblings, followed his heart in doing civil engineering and managed to complete one year of the course at the University of the South Pacific after finishing off his secondary education.
“We faced financial difficulties, there were eight of us, and I didn’t want to add more pressure on my mother, so I went to pursue my tertiary education and needed extra cash and applied at a restaurant to be a kitchen hand,” he said.
Over the few months of being employed at ‘Peri Peri Chicken’ in Martintar, Nadi, the 21-year-old was promoted to become Chef.
“The manager told me ‘I think you was born to be in the kitchen’,” he added.
“I am the chef at home, but I never thought of doing it as a job. From being a kitchen hand to a chef was my calling.
“I must say I make the best curry and chopsuey in my home!”
Susu still has his mind on civil engineering and has plans to tap into it in future.
He is grateful to the Fiji National University’s National Training and Productivity Centre for giving him an opportunity to enrol in the programme, Certificate of Attainment in Demonstrate Advanced Culinary Skills during the 2025 FNU Roadshow at the My FNPF Centre in Nadi.
Nadi residents at the FNU booth during the 2025 FNU Roadshow at the My FNPF Centre in Nadi.
His advice to the youth is ‘Find your passion, where you really belong. Have the choice to choose’.
Meanwhile, the 2025 FNU Roadshow will conclude today.