Culinary Festival fever mounts in Mauritius

Posted on March 26, 2014 by constancehotelseditor

As excitement continues to build for this year’s Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau we introduce the chefs and journalists who will bring the event to life over the next few days.

Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau

Reporting on the event and bringing us all the up-to-the-minute drama from the various teams will be festival co-founder, Constance’s Bruno Le Gac, and international luxury lifestyle journalist Peter Bojesen from Luxury Aficionados.

Bruno says: ‘It started with an idea to honour the legacy of the great chef Bernard Loiseau, and propose something that he would be proud of,’ Bruno explained.

‘When we first had the idea, we didn’t know what or how we would do it… but we knew that we wanted to create something true, sincere, with spirit, not just a business event, but a festival with a soul.’

Now in its 9th year the festival has gone from strength to strength, each year bringing together some of the world’s top chefs to share expertise, passion and guidance with the best of Constance’s own chefs.

Michelin-star chefs taking part:

Mirto Marchesi – Relais & Châteaux le Chalet d’Adrien, La Table d’Adrien, Verbier, Switzerland
Jacob Holmström, Gastrologik Restaurant, Stockholm, Sweden
Raised in a family of restaurant owners, Holmström opened Gastrologik in 2011 and obtained his first Michelin star in 2013.
Nicolas Massé, Les Sources de Caudalie, La Grand Vigne, Bordeaux-Martillac, France
Tim Allen, Launceston Place, London, England
Jens Rittmeyer, Budersand Hotel – Golf & Spa, Sylt, Restaurant Kai 3, Hörnum, Germany
Masashi Ijichi, La Cachette, Valence, France.

Masters at work

These prestigious European chefs will be teamed with the very best of our island chefs to create six separate teams who will compete in a week-long culinary challenge.

Other highlights include:

The 6 stars dinner
The Culinary Festival cocktail competition
A wine competition
An art of the table competition.

Book a last minute break to Mauritius

There is plenty for guests to enjoy throughout the Festival with special festival dinners being hosted at both Constance Belle Mare Plage and Constance Le Prince Maurice – see our Passion for Gastronomy Offer.

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For more information, to check availability or to make a booking, visit our website
Find out more about the Culinary Festival Bernard Louiseau.

Top 3 markets in Mauritius

Posted on March 24, 2014 by constancehotelseditor

There’s no better way to immerse yourself in local Mauritian life than to visit one of the island’s bustling market places.

Markets in Mauritius: Port Louis Market

Here’s our guide to three of the best.

Port Louis Market

This vibrant daily market at the heart of the Mauritian capital gives a fascinating insight into the life of the city and its people. Stalls selling freshly picked fruits and vegetables sit alongside stalls of fragrant herbs and spices. There’s a meat and fish section where sellers fillet and slice before your eyes. For souvenirs there are stalls selling local traditional crafts, as well as t-shirts and other mementos. Make sure you save time at the end to visit the food hall and sample some authentic (and delicious) Mauritian street food.

Flacq Market

Set in the village of Flacq, close to Belle Mare, Flacq Market is the largest open-air market in Mauritius. Catering for locals and tourists who are looking for something authentic, you’ll find beautifully fresh produce from across the island, giving the market its unique Mauritian charm.

Rose Hill Market

Rose Hill is the second largest town on Mauritius and is a treat for shoppers with its shopping arcades, boutiques and food stalls. The market here is more of a bazaar, selling everything from fruit and vegetables to arts and crafts and electronics.

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Find out more about Constance Le Prince Maurice and Constance Belle Mare Plage
Read our guide to 7 things to do in Mauritius
Find out about hiking in Mauritius.

Rising stars head to Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau 2014

Posted on March 20, 2014 by constancehotelseditor

The rising culinary stars of Constance Hotels and Resorts have been battling it out in kitchens across the Indian Ocean in order to make it to the prestigious Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau.

Will you be seeing dishes like this at the Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau?

The festival, held at Constance Belle Mare Plage from 31 March to 7 April, gives the island chefs the opportunity to cook alongside some of the leading Michelin-starred chefs of the world.

Competition has been fierce as young, inspired chefs seize the opportunity to compete for a chance to represent their hotel or resort in a festival which celebrates culinary passion, and inspires innovation and the sharing of expertise.

The road to Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau

To qualify the chefs have gone through several rounds of internal competitions with only the winner moving on to the next stage.

Challenges have included a written stage where the chef must describe why they want to be entered into the competition and practical stages including creating dishes following a recipe from classic French cuisine and creating their own dishes from a mystery box of ingredients under timed conditions.

The chefs who have made it through have proved not only their culinary skills but their passion and dedication to creating innovative and inspiring food.

The chefs

The island chefs who have made it through to the final in Mauritius are:

Sasha Dinnoo – Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius

Traditional Indian Ocean flavours with a contemporary twist

Sasha started as a trainee at Le Prince Maurice and has worked her way up through the kitchen. She qualified for the final stage of the competition last year and loved the experience so much she’s come back for more, although this year she’s more determined than ever to win.

Emmanuel Fortuno – Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

Emmanuel loves cooking and is constantly striving for perfection, slowly and methodically improving his skills. It is this dedication and hard work which has taken him through the qualifying stages of this competition and into the Culinary Festival.

Sandy Sokalingum – Constance Lémuria, Seychelles

Mauritian born Sandy doesn’t let being a new father distract him from his passion for cooking or his determination to get to the final. Currently a chef de Partie at The Sea Horse, he describes himself as ‘in love’ with cooking.

Dammika Sarath – Constance Halaveli, Maldives

Used to working under pressure, Dammika brings a sense of serene and calm to the kitchen when he works. He loves everything to do with food and is proud to be part of the prestigious Festival.

Dinushan Patabadage – Constance Moofushi, Maldives

Always keen to learn new dishes and try new techniques, Dinushan is a very creative chef and is excited by the learning experience offered by competing in the Culinary Festival. Both passionate and ambitious, he is keen to put everything he has into the event.

Yogessen Ramen – Constance Ephélia, Seychelles

A chef at Ephélia, Yogessen is passionate about food and keen to add to his expanding skillset with techniques and advice acquired from the Michelin-starred chef he is paired with.

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Find out more on our culinary festival website: Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau
Discover why Mauritian food is big news for 2014

A guide to luxury weddings in Mauritius

Posted on March 10, 2014 by constancehotelseditor

Mauritius has been ranked top location in the world for destination weddings in a recent report from Kuoni.

Luxurious villas at Constance Belle Mare Plage

On Mauritius, nature has created a perfect backdrop of white sand beaches, turquoise waters and lush tropical foliage, and at Le Prince Maurice and Belle Mare Plage, we’ve added a special dash of Constance luxury.

Your own dedicated wedding planner

Relax in the knowledge that someone understands exactly what you want and is working hard to make it happen.

Our wedding planners will contact you before you set off to discuss exactly what you want for your special day, and ensure it’s ready for you when you arrive.

On arrival your wedding planner will show you around the hotel or resort so that you can select exactly where you would like your ceremony to take place.

Create the wedding of your dreams

Our luxury wedding package includes everything you’ll need for a perfect day but if you want to add some personal elements or details just let us know.

If you dream about sailing off together into an Indian Ocean sunset, dining at a private table for two in a secluded spot, having your own DJ spin your favourite tunes or enjoying a pre-wedding couple’s spa treatment, we’ll take care of all the details.

Relax at the bar

Luxury accommodation

Whether you choose a secluded private villa with its own pool or an elegant, spacious suite, the luxury accommodation will give you the perfect relaxed space to retreat to for some precious time alone.

In-villa dining and 24-hour room service gives you the opportunity to really enjoy the seclusion of your accommodation.

Fine dining

Enjoy candle-lit meals of sumptuous gourmet dishes lovingly prepared by our world-class chefs and pair them with some of the world’s best wines from our extensive cellars in our fine-dining restaurants.

Enjoy the very freshest local and international ingredients whether you are looking for 5* dining or sushi on the beach.

Things for newly-weds to do in Mauritius:

1. Take a helicopter ride around the island

See the dramatic landscape of this beautiful tropical island from the air with an exhilarating helicopter ride.

The Legend golf course

2. Play golf on a championship golf course

Both Le Prince Maurice and Belle Mare Plage have access to our two championship 18-hole courses. Whether you are a novice and need coaching by the pros at our Golf Academy or you’re an old-hand you’ll love the challenges set by our courses.

3. Ziplining through the mountainous countryside

Feel the rush of adrenalin as you cruise through the air on a course of ziplines over plantation land and lush tropical forests.

4. Explore the Indian Ocean

Whether you enjoy life above or below the waves there’s plenty do in Mauritius from water skiing and wind surfing to scuba diving and snorkelling.

5. Visit Port Louis

The island’s bustling capital is a fast-track into the Mauritian way of life. Barter for a bargain in the busy central market, rub shoulders with the Mauritians at the famous Champ de Mars race course or just buy a coffee and people watch along the Caudan Waterfront.

Visit our website to find out more about Constance Le Prince Maurice or Constance Belle Mare Plage or to make a booking.

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Wedding and honeymoon experience at Constance Hotels and Resorts
Growing trend for luxury exotic minimoons
Get some inspiration with our guide to dream wedding destinations in the Indian Ocean.

Constance Mauritian Easter Getaway

Posted on March 5, 2014 by constancehotelseditor

Whether you’re looking to hop on a last minute romantic getaway or a family break for Easter, the Constance Mauritian Easter Getaway is the spring offer you don’t want to miss.

Enjoy an Easter getaway at Constance Le Prince Maurice

The Constance Mauritian Easter Getaway package includes complimentary airport transfer, refreshing welcome cocktail, 30 min Jet lag massage to leave you feeling invigorated and refreshed. Accommodation facing translucent lagoons awaits you as well as a special wine and chocolate tasting before your Easter Sunday Dinner.

Should you be coming with kids, activities including Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Eggs from the Easter Bunny, Pancake party, Chocolates truffle cooking session, Easter Crafts workshop and an Easter Banana Trip will make your kids’ stay memorable – and relaxing for you!

How to book

Constance Mauritian Easter Getaway is available to book from 1 March at both Constance Belle Mare Plage and Constance Le Prince Maurice for stays between 18-28 April 2014.

Terms and Conditions apply – visit our website to find out more and book your stay at Constance Belle Mare Plage and Constance Le Prince Maurice.

Or telephone our Central Reservation Office on (230) 402 2777 / 402 2772.