Visiting Castaway Island Fiji with his family for no less than the fourth time, one of the biggest names on the US restaurant scene, master chef Charlie Palmer was happy to let others do the cooking for him for a change when the Castaway culinary team led by executive chef Lance Seeto presented him with a special beach birthday banquet.

According to the resort’s management, the high profile gastronome was so impressed by the team’s effort – each chef presented him with a personally created specialty dish – he has sent the entire team a personally autographed copy of his latest cook book.

Charlie Palmer has a massive following across America where he owns 13 restaurants including his “New York flagship ‘Aureole’.