Bourbon Island Week provided a genuine forum for culinary dialogue between the islands of the Indian Ocean, reinforcing the cultural and gastronomic links between Mauritius and La Réunion. For six days, the flavors of Reunion scented Bel Ombre during this event organized at Heritage Resorts & Golf. ZAK
As with Mauritian cuisine, Réunion Island’s cuisine is above all a blend of cultures. “It draws its influences from African, Malagasy, Indian, Chinese and European traditions, giving it a unique identity in the Indian Ocean,” explains Chef Jofrane Dailly. Its distinctive features lie in the generous use of spices, local produce and the balance between simplicity and intensity of flavors. “Emblematic dishes such as curry, rougail and bouchons reflect this cultural richness and know-how handed down from generation to generation.
This palette of flavors made up the bouquet served during Semaine Île Bourbon, which brought together chefs, artisans and culinary enthusiasts. From the very first courses, the tone was set. Roasted spices, vanilla, cocoa, coffee and brèdes punctuated the various culinary experiences offered in the estate’s restaurants. From the Gin’Ja to the Savana, the tables were sold out, proof of the popularity of this gastronomic immersion that has become an eagerly awaited event.
Reunionese cuisine, while still rooted in tradition, has evolved. “It has opened up to a more contemporary and gastronomic approach. Today, Reunion’s chefs give greater prominence to local produce, short supply chains and a more refined cuisine, while retaining the popular and convivial soul that is its authenticity. This evolution is enabling Reunionese cuisine to spread beyond the island and appeal to an international audience,” continues Jofrane.
For this 2026 edition, he was joined by several leading figures on Reunion’s culinary scene, including chefs Murielle Michaeli, Kévin Minatchy, Claude Pothin and Julien Leveneur. Alongside them, food critic Thierry Kasprowicz and herbalist Fabris Thémyr offered a different interpretation of Reunionese flavors, between memory, heritage and transmission.
But Bourbon Island Week didn’t stop at the plate. Masterclasses, tastings and workshops enabled visitors to discover the culinary techniques, aromatic plants and traditions that shape Creole culture. Exchanges about Reunion’s heritage often prolonged the meal, in an atmosphere of conviviality and curiosity.
The closing ten-hand gala dinner symbolized the spirit of this edition: a cuisine of sharing, where tradition and modernity met without ever betraying each other. For Jofrane, “the 2026 edition illustrates a gastronomy that deeply respects tradition, while leaving plenty of room for innovation and the creative expression of chefs”. This initiative is part of a strong, structured culinary vision, reflecting Heritage Resorts & Golf’s ambition to position gastronomy as an essential element of its identity and development.
