The Bocuse d'Or Team Mauritius is set to compete in the African selection of the Bocuse d'Or 2026, taking place in Taghazout, Agadir, Morocco, on September 24. The team, led by chef Nitilesh Beharee, will face stiff competition from five other countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, and Côte d'Ivoire. The top two teams will qualify for the global finals in Lyon on January 24-25, 2027.
The competition will consist of two challenges, with teams having five and a half hours to complete them. The "plate theme" requires working with a lamb saddle, sweet potato, and barley, with one dish reflecting the country's culinary heritage. The "dish theme" focuses on dorade, gray shrimp, red beans, and citrus. The jury will evaluate cooking, technical precision, creativity, presentation, and product respect.
Nitilesh Beharee, who won the national Bocuse d'Or Mauritius final on September 9, 2025, will be accompanied by his commis Parikshit Seegoolam and coach Vikash Coonjan, all from the One&Only Le Saint Géran. Beharee's winning dish showcased "New Mauritian Cuisine" with ombrine and freshwater shrimp. He expressed his pride in representing Mauritius and showcasing its culinary excellence.
The Mauritian team's journey in the Bocuse d'Or began in 2011 when Emmanuelle Coquet discovered the competition in Lyon. Mauritius officially joined the Bocuse d'Or family in October 2019, becoming the first Indian Ocean country to participate. The team has previously won a gold medal in 2022 and a silver medal in 2024 on the continental stage and has participated in the Lyon finals twice, ranking 19th each time.
Nizam Peeroo, president of Bocuse d'Or Team Mauritius, emphasized the importance of the Agadir competition, stating that the team is well-prepared and motivated to shine. Jerry Bastian, program director, highlighted the rigorous training program for Nitilesh, Parikshit, and Vikash. Emmanuelle Coquet stressed the objective of providing a global platform for Mauritian chefs and recognition for the country's gastronomy.
The competition is expected to be intense, with six teams vying for two spots in the global finals. The Mauritian team's performance will be closely watched, given their past successes and ambitions. The team's participation in the Bocuse d'Or Africa 2026 is seen as an opportunity to promote Mauritian cuisine and showcase its talents on the international stage.
The Bocuse d'Or Africa 2026 competition will be a significant event for the culinary world, with top teams from the continent competing for a spot in the global finals. The Mauritian team's participation and performance will be closely followed, and their experience will contribute to the growth and recognition of Mauritian cuisine globally.
Key points
- Mauritius competes in Bocuse d'Or Africa 2026 for a spot in the global finals in Lyon.
- The team, led by Nitilesh Beharee, faces stiff competition from five other countries.
- The competition will evaluate cooking, technical precision, creativity, presentation, and product respect.
