The pinnacle of the Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau is the prize giving ceremony.
David Johansen and Ankur Daru
After a glorious sunny day, the rain returns just as the ceremony is to begin. Mauritians always have a Plan B, and without any fuss we move indoors into the main bar. There is tension, but this feels like a genuine celebration of the week’s culinary highs and the new friendships made.
It is not all about the chefs – winners are announced for cocktail, wine matching and table setting categories.
However cuisine is king for this week, and the winners are announced.
David Johansen and Ankur Daru take this year’s crown, and it is a well deserved success.
In my opinion, there may have been better individual dishes than those created by our winners. However, David and Ankur showed us something which captured the spirit of the festival. Theirs was a true collaboration – the Nordic and Indian influences both prevailed creating an admirable and equal fusion.
This was not just a European master presiding over his Island apprentice, and their obvious bond made a heart warming and quite obviously special relationship.
The evening was celebrated with yet another highlight – a 3* dinner created by the wonderful Patrick Bertron.
Dancing and partying rounded off a truly magnificent day.
Read more about the winners of Culinary Festival Bernard Loiseau