Gourmet four-hands dinner : a one-off Mauritian culinary experience

An exceptional gourmet event was hosted in Mauritius on 5 September. This special four-hands dinner, organized by MJ Holidays, was held at the L’Atelier by Mythic Suites & Villas restaurant in Grand Gaube. The evening made its mark on the Mauritian culinary scene, bringing together talented local and international chefs for an eight-course meal designed to offer a true gastronomic experience. The evening stood as a showcase for shared culinary skills, innovation and the fusion of Mauritian traditions alongside international mastery.

A four-handed culinary partnership

The four-hands dinner concept, though unusual, is fast emerging as a hallmark in the culinary world of creativity and exchange. For this special occasion, French pastry chef Julie Le Gall and Mexican chef Joël Trejo, both of Legend Hill, have teamed up with Mauritian chefs Sunny Vedanand Tutteea and Nitish Deehul, of Marguery Villas and Mythic Suites & Villas respectively.

Three masterclasses were held in July and August as part of the partnership. Thanks to this collaboration, the Chefs got the opportunity to get acquainted with local Mauritian products, to fine-tune their techniques and to bring together local culinary traditions and top gastronomy techniques. The event provided an opportunity to celebrate Mauritian savoir-faire while exploring new flavors.

A eight-course menu: a flavorsome delight

The eight-course dinner was conceived as a true gourmet symphony. The story behind each dish was a cultural fusion. Local products such as palm kernels, vanilla and pineapple were given a new twist, influenced by French and Mexican techniques.

Julie Le Gall, a talented chef renowned for helping the famous L’Oustau de Baumanière restaurant obtain its third star, added a refined touch of sweetness to the evening. Joel Trejo, a French-educated Mexican cuisine enthusiast, added spicy, bold flavors to the dishes. The Mauritian chefs, meanwhile, fused Mauritian gastronomy with modern techniques, creating a perfect symbiosis between tradition and innovation.

A truly sharing experience for an exclusive evening

More than just tasting, sharing know-how and techniques was the key theme of the dinner. Isabelle Descroizilles, Managing Director of MJ Holidays, highlighted the event’s key role in showcasing Mauritius’s rich culinary heritage. ‘The evening provided a perfect opportunity for our chefs to display their creativity, while celebrating the island’s local gastronomy,’ she said.

The collaboration between Mauritian chefs and those trained in Michelin-starred restaurants such as L’Oustau de Baumanière reflects the fast growing importance of Mauritius as a culinary destination.

What the chefs have to say

Every one of the attending chefs thanked us for this unique experience. Julie Le Gall was fascinated by all the local produce: ‘I came across some incredible produce such as vanilla and Mauritian palm kernels’, she said. Joel Trejo particularly appreciated the opportunity to share his skills with his Mauritian colleagues: ‘’It was very rewarding to share with the other chefs‘’, he said.

Mythic Suites & Villas chef Nitish Deehul believes the evening was an opportunity to hone his skills: ‘Working with renowned chefs has enabled me to perfect my culinary methods’. As for Sunny Vedanand Tutteea, chef at Marguery Villas, he highlighted the fusion of flavors as one of the key moments of this collaboration: ‘It was an exceptional opportunity to refine techniques and fuse local flavors with international touches’.

Mauritian cuisine on the rise

The dinner was not just a gastronomic event, but a tribute to Mauritius’ increasing international profile. The use of local produce, combined with international influences, enhances Mauritius’ culinary heritage while incorporating modern techniques. The evening offered guests, both local and international, a glimpse of the extraordinary potential of Mauritian cuisine.

An inspiring line-up of chefs

All four chefs participating in this evening’s event have achieved remarkable feats. Julie Le Gall, from Brittany, has made a name for herself in Michelin-starred restaurants such as L’Auberge des Glazicks and L’Oustau de Baumanière. Her speciality is pastry-making, and her contribution to this dinner helped to sublimate the desserts while respecting the exotic flavors of Mauritius.

Mexican cuisine enthusiast Joel Trejo began his training in France before becoming sous-chef at L’Oustau de Baumanière. His cuisine is a daring blend of Mexican and French flavors, perfectly matched with Mauritian culinary traditions.

Mythic Suites & Villas chef Nitish Deehul is renowned for his talent in combining local produce with modern touches. His creativity stood out, even during the lock-down period.

Sunny Vedanand Tutteea, chef at Marguery Villas, is a renowned Mauritian cuisine connoisseur who strives to adapt Mauritian cuisine to international tastes. His background, influenced by his family’s culinary traditions, speaks for itself regarding his passion for the art of creating unique experiences for guests.

An outstanding dinner that places Mauritius high on the world gourmet scene

The four-hands dinner organized by MJ Holidays at L’Atelier by Mythic Suites & Villas was much more than just a culinary event. It highlighted the importance of sharing, blending tastes and know-how. Thanks to the collaboration of talented chefs of different backgrounds, the evening showcased local Mauritian produce and confirmed Mauritius’s status as a world-class gourmet destination.

It was also a tribute to the island’s vibrant and creative gastronomy, while providing an international platform for local talent such as those at Marguery Villas and Mythic Suites & Villas. Mauritius, with its unique blend of flavors and cultures, remains a popular destination for fine cuisine and exceptional dining.