Back to the Roots

Cooking and Cultural Tour

Departure Point: Applicable for Guests staying on Mahe Island only.  

Duration: This excursion is a day experience that lasts approximately 8 hours.  

General Pick-up Times from Hotels: South, West & East Area: 0830hrs   North Area: 0800hrs  

Itinerary:  Step inside the home of a Seychellois family for a hands-on introduction to preparing and cooking traditional Creole cuisine. First, a visit to either the Victoria market or a local village for a look at the fresh fruits and vegetables and an impressive array of fish typically used in Creole cuisine. Next stop: a small village to peruse the local fishermen’s catch, and selection of the “fish of the day” for the meal to be prepared later that morning. A scenic tour along the coast of Mahé follows and onward to the real-life home of a family that will host today’s lunch and more.    

Sit back and watch or take a hands-on approach to the preparation of the meal, which may include assisting with a fire used for “grilling” whole breadfruit in its skin, grating coconut on a traditional blade bench, or arranging banana leaf wraps for the fish before cooking.    

After enjoying lunch with the family – sure to include some of Creole cooking’s most treasured delicacies such as grilled fish, coconut curry, and Seychellois-style chutneys and salads made from local fruits and vegetables – guests can enjoy the craft of kapatya (the art of weaving coconut leaves into hats, baskets and other items), as well as taste Kalou (fermented palm sap).    

One important point to remember: this excursion is not a reconstruction or re-enactment. Prepare to meet a real family, a real dwelling and real ingredients.  

Language / Days of Operation: English & French (Daily – excluding Sunday & Public Holidays).  

Lunch: Lunch is included in this excursion.  

Menu:

MAIN CREOLE DISHES:  

*Local Chicken Coconut Curry.  

*Grilled Fish.  

*Fish Balls.  

*Chutneys depending on Season – Papaya, Mango, Golden Apple Chutneys, Moringa Leaf Chutneys (Bred Mouroum) or Palm Heart Salad.     

DESSERT / DRINKS / CHIPS:  

*Salads depending on Season – Mango, Golden Apple or Pineapple.  

*Ladob with Sweet Potato, Breadfruit, Casava or Banana – A traditional dessert using coconut milk, along with nutmeg, vanilla and sugar.  

*Citronelle Tea, Neroli Leaf Tea (Fey bigarad), (seasonal).  

*Local Chips depending on seasonality (Casava, Banana, Breadfruits).     

LEISURE ACTIVITIES – (Demonstration and Showcasing of the following): 

*“Kapatya” & “Kalou”.   There will be a demonstration of the “Kapatya” weaving in the afternoon. They will also showcase the “Kalou” process upon request.