Freelance Pacific Island Chef, Manihiki Pearl Farmer, Culinary Artisan & So Much More with Rangi Mitaera - Johnson

Grab a cup of tea, coffee or a coconut Nu drink and get ready for a powerful and very interesting episode today.<br/><br/>I had the absolute pleasure to interview the incredibly talented, Mrs. Rangi Mitaera - Johnson. <br/><br/>Rangi takes us on a journey of her passion and LOVE of food, especially South Pacific Island Nations Food. Beginning her story in Wellington, New Zealand in the early 90’s. Finishing college early and getting an ‘office job’, meanwhile having a  passion for cooking still burning inside her! So Rangi decides to take up full time study at Wellington Polytechnic and her culinary journey begins there.<br/><br/>Returning home to Rarotonga approximately 1997. Rangi chats fondly of our Cook Islands quality of life, the wonderful environment we have. “There’s no where else I’d rather be than here at home”.<br/><br/> We chat together about Rangi’s decision in the early 2000’s, to take on a cooking contract and heading to the far north island of Manihiki. Taking with her, her 14 month old son. Rangi describes the isolated island geographically, with a “Big fat lagoon that the island of Rarotonga can fit into”. Transportation is a boat or a motor bike. With about 900 people living there then.<br/><br/>The BIG hype at the time was, Black PEARL farming. Her metaphor description of Manihiki pearl farming is similar to, ‘Rows of filing cabinets in the lagoon’.<br/>Your food is transported by cargo ship. The weather is HOT as Manihiki is closer to the equator, not with a humid heat its a dry arid heat. The glare from the sand coral atoll. Rangi chats about a DROUGHT, with no rain for 7 months one time.<br/><br/>In this episode you’ll learn that living in Manihiki can mean: Your the plumber, the electrician, bob the builder, as well as the Pearl Diver and the fisherman as well …. Plus the agricultural planter! <br/><br/>Guess what everyone? <br/>There is SO MUCH more in this episode with Rangi. Listen in also about Chefs for Development program. How to make Black Pearl Oyster meat dishes. Her appearances on National and International Cooking Shows. Her Recipes featuring in Cook Books such as Robert Oliver’s: Me’a Kai.  <br/><br/><br/><br/>Kia Orana, May you live long<br/>Aere Ra, Farewell<br/>Kia Manuia, Good Luck and Good Health<br/><br/>Try Raro Pass FREE for 2 days:<br/>raropass.com<br/><br/>Find out where to shop, where to eat, what to do and more in Rarotonga at:<br/>raropass.com<br/><br/>The Kia Orana Podcast was created as a result of lock down Covid restrictions, in 2020.