FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Tantalising feast in Mauritius

Tantalising feast in Mauritius

The Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort Executive Chef Geert-Jan Vaartjes has revealed an innovative Saturday evening garden-to-table dining experience at the resort, located in the south of the island.

Guests arrive around 6pm at The Plantation Club colonial-style restaurant in the resort grounds. After they enjoy a welcome cocktail, the resort’s gardener shows them the vegetable garden while explaining the various herbs. Taking advice from the gardener, guests pick an assortment as ingredients for their dinner.
The guests then sit back on the simple wooden tables outdoors and enjoy impromptu Mauritian creole light bites, as chef goes to work using traditional utensils such as old-style cauldrons, pans (called tawa) and wooden ladles. The meal is prepared on a wood fire.
 “There is no fixed menu,” says Vaartjes. “But chances are we will create a vibrant creole garden salad for starters and then a chicken or fish curry main course. It depends on our guests’ curiosity, passion and culinary interests. Rest assured, it will be delicious because it’s from the heart – and the garden.” 
Around the allotment beside The Plantation Club Vaartjes says that freshly picked vegetables and herbs such as lady fingers, beetroot and sorrel are his favourites. The rustic dinner will be served with faratha flat bread and local condiments such as coconut chutney, dried shrimp chutney, chilies and local achaar (pickles).
As it’s Mauritius, to accompany the experience, guests will be served barbecued banana marinated in local rum.
Drinks are served in a copper mug in the outdoor garden setting with log furniture. Old style lamps are used for light as the twilight thickens. To add to the atmosphere, the hosts are dressed in local creole and Sega attire. A singer-guitar player entertains guests throughout.
The garden-to-table experience at The Plantation Club costs 1,800 MUR (US$52) per person and 900 MUR (US$26) for children under 12. Further information and bookings, please call +230 623 5000 or email: [email protected].

 

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