New Mauritius Hotels : Signature Honey Cake

06 November 2023 - Group news

Two pastry chefs from Paradis Beachcomber have risen to the challenge

and won over the jury led by the French Chef, Cyril Lignac.

This year, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels has selected two pastry chefs from Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa to create its signature honey cake. The jury, with the renowned French pastry chef Cyril Lignac as honorary president, was won over by the delicate but also daring creation prepared by Doraine Smith and Sadanand Ittoo for the Beachcomber Signature Honey Cake Competition held on 30 October at Institut Escoffier.

Eight teams of two from the Beachcomber hotel collection took part in the second edition of this highly-anticipated in-house challenge. The pastry chefs had three hours to create a delightful and surprising dessert, featuring honey harvested from Beachcomber hotels' gardens and tropical fruit. The only technique imposed was to have a flourless base. The challenge, timed to the second, unfolded in an intense yet friendly atmosphere.

The presentation of the creations allowed the jury, including Cyril Lignac, Beachcomber Group's CEO, Stéphane Poupinel de Valencé and, Institut Escoffier's Managing Director, Jérôme Fabre, to assess aesthetics, taste, techniques and respect for ingredients. Deliberations followed, before the results were announced in an atmosphere of solemn silence.

"This was no easy task for us as the jury. The cakes were all delicious and beautiful! Each pair demonstrated talent in incorporating the honey, achieving the right balance and perfect combinations. It was a true delight! Beachcomber's pastry chefs did an excellent job, but we ultimately had to make a choice," says Cyril Lignac. Paradis Beachcomber's creation received unanimous approval from the jury, winning the 2023 Signature Honey Cake Competition.

This exquisite creation, named "La Ruche à Miel du Paradis" (The Paradis Beehive), consists of a coconut dacquoise with a tropical compote in the centre and topped with a honey mousse, covered by a white chocolate mirror glaze decorated with golden nuggets. A gourmet, indulgent and generous treat, it took several evenings of intensive preparation to design, create, prepare and fine-tune this signature pastry. "We are proud to have been chosen to create the signature cake that will be served on the buffet of all Beachcomber hotels. It was an incredible experience! We are also very happy to have won over such a prestigious jury. Thanks to everyone!" say the winning pair, Doraine Smith and Sadanand Ittoo.

Kristel Lim Chin Kin, line cook at Canonnier Beachcomber, took second place, while Preksha Bhageruth and Azad Ramjanally from Dinarobin Beachcomber came third in the competition.

Stéphane Poupinel de Valencé, who sat on the jury, warmly congratulated the participating teams. "There were passionate candidates who came up with beautiful creations. Congratulations on a job well done! I would also like to thank Etienne de Senneville, who supports our Honey from our Gardens programme, and all those who helped organise the Beachcomber Signature Honey Cake Competition. More than just a contest, it is an event that brings together the pastry teams from our eight hotels," he says.

Guests will soon be able to enjoy a taste of the signature cake during their stay with Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels.