Mauritius hosts Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau

Michelin Star Chef Masachi Ijichi from La Cachette restaurant in Valence France and Dammika Sarath from Constance Halaveli Maldives took the winning place.

The week-long exchange enabled the European chefs to share their knowledge and skills with the local chefs during the various events held throughout the week, including their visit to the market at Port Louis, where they chose local produce to create their menu.

The week also included prizes for the best mixologist, best sommelier and best pastry chef.

Winners

In the cooking competition, the winners were:

• First prize went to Michelin Star Chef, Masachi Ijichi from La Cachette restaurant in Valence France and Dammika Sarath from Constance Halaveli Maldives
  
• Second prize went to Jacob Holmstrom - Gastrologik restaurant Stockholm - Sweden, 1 Michelin star and Sandy Sokalingum - Constance Lémuria Seychelles
  
• Third prize went to Tim Allen - Launceston Place London - UK, 1 Michelin star and Yogessen Ramen - Constance Ephelia Seychelles

This year, three barmen from Constance Belle Mare Plage and Constance Le Prince Maurice took part in the cocktail competition on 31 March at Constance Belle Mare Plage. The liquors used were from Chamarel Rhum. The jury were Laurence and Joachim Louis, representatives of Jack Daniels and Crème Chambord. They chose the best mixologist among them and named Ashvin Purrun from Constance Belle Mare Plage as the winner.

The wine competition was held on 31 March at Constance Le Prince Maurice. This competition consisted of finding the best wines to accompany the dinner, which was served by Chef Eyvind Hellstrom. Competing were three Mauritian sommeliers who presented their selection of wines in front of four jury members. Cheryline Coulon from Constance Le Prince Maurice was the winner.

"Service & Art de la table" competition was again a success with the participation of Constance Belle Mare Plage headwaiters. It was held on 2 April at the Blue Penny Restaurant at Constance Belle Mare Plage. Dominique Loiseau, Mercotte and Isabelle Mobihan made up the jury and named Benito Bellehumeur from Constance Belle Mare Plage as the winner of the competition this year. He presented the most beautifully prepared table and the best service.

A new competition, the 'Café Gourmand' was added this year to the event and organised in collaboration with Nespresso. The participants were the executive and pastry chefs of Constance hotels and resorts who were asked to create four pastries to best accompany a Nespresso coffee. The pastry chef, Camel El Sherifi from Constance Le Prince Maurice was the winner.

The 10th Festival Bernard Loiseau will be held from 21-28 March 2015.