Christopher Barber, one of our judges on this year’s panel for the Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau, gives us a run down of the action from day 2 (Monday).
Chefs visit Port Louis market
The festival has now begun in earnest.
Over breakfast in the Blue Penny Cafe, the draw of Island and European chefs is made, all seem happy with their partners… so far. Luckily, there would appear to be no language issues – the French speakers and English speakers drawn together.
A downpour accompanies the coach journey toPort Louis. We stop off to visit a school for children with learning difficulties, and drop off some delights from the Belle Mare Plage kitchen.
Next stop the Port Louis market, and the rain will not relent. It doesn’t dampen spirits, and now the chefs visibly move up a gear.
The array of colours, flavours and aromas of the market inspires them, you can see their imaginations and culinary juices flow. Just to watch is exhilarating as they caress the produce and absorb the ambience.
The European chefs seem to take lead, seeking counsel from their local experts at every step.
European chefs and island cooks outside Port Louis market
My past visits to the market remind me that no trip toPort Louis is complete without a customary dosa and a local milk drink. My persuasive powers managed to get a couple of the chefs to join in, though the gelatin infused cocktails were not quite as well loved as the dosa.
On return, the chefs huddle together planning and devising their master creations.
On Tuesday they will start kitchen trials, bringing their creations to life… the excitement mounts.
For more information, please visit the Festival Culinaire Bernard Loiseau website
Catch up with what’s happened so far at the festival
- Christopher Barber lifts the lid as the culinary festival begins – Day 1, Sunday 25 March 2012
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