The South Pacific island paradise of the Cook Islands may traditionally be seen as a destination you visit to soak up the sun, relax on the beach, explore the islands and enjoy the traditional culture. However popular local saying ‘We live to eat, not eat to live’ proves that food is particularly important in this part of the world.

An increasing number of travellers are choosing where they visit by what gastronomic experience they will have, with the food we have on holiday becoming more of a treasured memory. They want a hands-on experience and food is a manifestation of a destination’s culture.

The Cook Islands offers a unique gastronomic experience for visitors, including memorable island night feasts and cultural shows.

Cook Islands Food Guide: Cook Islands Cuisine

The traditional Polynesian feast is known as the ‘Umukai’, which involves cooking food in an underground earth oven. Popular food includes local produce such as taro (root vegetable), kuru (breadfruit), kumara (sweet potato), rukau (taro leaves) and local meats such as pork, beef, chicken and fish. This is usually served with local side dishes such as chop suey, potato salad, ika mata (marinated raw fish in coconut cream and lemon) and green bananas, often washed down with the natural juices of the “nu” from the coconut. The flesh of the nu can also be eaten.

Cook Islands Food Guide: Night Feasts on the Cook Islands

The fare on offer at the island night feasts is a tantalising mixture of local meats, seafood and vegetables followed by fantastic entertainment. Traditional island songs and dance, pulsating drums, swaying hips and colourful costumes are all part of the dazzling array that is Cook Islands culture. The night is wrapped up with an Ura Piani (invitation dance) where visitors are then given the chance to dance to traditional music.

Cook Islands Food Guide: Best Cook Islands Food Markets

Local food can also be tried at the local Punanga Nui marketplace, located in the Avarua township from 7am to midday on Saturdays. As well as food stalls you can pick up local handcrafts, produce and even get and authentic Polynesian tattoo! Local food to try here includes ’ika mata’ - marinated raw fish in coconut cream and lemon juice or ’poke’ - banana or pawpaw mixed with arrowroot/cassava flour and served with coconut cream.

Cook Islands Food Guide: Best Restaurants in Rarotonga

There are over 50 restaurants and cafés scattered all over Rarotonga, the capital island of the Cook Islands, alone.

Well known restaurants are Tamarind House, Vaima Restaurant, Windjammer Restaurant, Pawpaw Patch and Café Salsa. For great seafood dining by the water’s edge try Whatever Bar and Grill and the legendary Trader Jacks with superb freshly caught seafood. Both venues offer stunning locations overlooking Avarua harbour.

Visit www.cook-islands.com