by Alvyn Ulrish Shad Savrimuthu
Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited is proud to announce its continued support for two of Mauritius’ top culinary talents, Emmanuel and Aninia Fortuno, who will represent the island at the Bocuse D’Or regional competition on 12 September 2024, in Morocco. This prestigious event, which highlights global culinary expertise, will provide a stage for the Fortunos to showcase Mauritian cuisine, potentially paving their way to the grand finals in Lyon, France, in 2025.
As a platinum sponsor of the Bocuse D’Or Mauritius, Absa Mauritius is deeply committed to promoting local talent and highlighting the richness of Mauritian gastronomy. This partnership aligns with Absa’s mission of ‘Empowering Africa’s tomorrow, together… one story at a time’ and reflects the organisation’s dedication to positive community impact.
Chef Emmanuel Fortuno shared his excitement about the upcoming competition:
“Bocuse d’Or is the pinnacle of culinary excellence, where passion, dedication, and creativity unite to create outstanding works. For me, it is not just a competition but a journey of growth and learning. This experience has sharpened my skills and deepened my love for culinary arts. I will proudly represent Mauritius on the international stage, showcasing our local gourmet cuisine and proving that a small island can compete with the best.”
— Emmanuel Fortuno
Bocuse D’Or Mauritius is dedicated to supporting local culinary talent, enabling them to achieve excellence in international competitions. “The Bocuse d’Or in Mauritius is a significant achievement that elevates our culinary standards and showcases the talent of our island. This competition provides a global platform for our chefs, stimulates our gastronomic industry, and inspires young talents. The support from Absa Mauritius allows us to provide candidates with the necessary resources to excel and make Mauritius shine on the international stage,” stated Emmanuelle Coquet, Promotion Manager of Bocuse D’Or Mauritius.
In addition to financial backing, Absa Mauritius, in collaboration with Bocuse d’Or Mauritius, will launch an eight-week training programme in September 2024 for second- and third-year students at the Sir Gaëtan Duval Hospitality School. This initiative aims to equip young chefs with the culinary skills necessary to build successful careers in an expanding gastronomic sector.
Starting in 2025, Absa Mauritius will also partner with the Aline Leal Culinary School (ECAL), led by NGO Anfen, to offer a similar eight-week programme. Ten participants will benefit from this specialised training, conducted by chefs from Bocuse D’Or Mauritius. The programme aims to provide hands-on experience and expert guidance to improve their professional skills, enhance self-confidence, and inspire them to pursue their culinary dreams with determination.
Through these initiatives, Absa Mauritius reiterates its commitment to promoting excellence, innovation, and the development of local talent. Every milestone achieved by Mauritian chefs enhances the global reputation of Mauritian cuisine and opens doors for future generations of culinary professionals.
Featured Interview with Jennifer Johnson, Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Absa Mauritius
Platform Africa caught up with Jennifer Johnson, Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Absa Mauritius, following the press conference for the launch of the Bocuse D’Or Mauritius competition. Johnson expressed pride in Absa Mauritius’ role as the platinum sponsor of the initiative, noting its alignment with the bank’s broader commitment to community empowerment. “As Absa Mauritius, we do believe that it’s important to be a force for good in the community, and that’s the reason why we’ve associated ourselves with this initiative, a great initiative inspired by great values of Paul Bocuse himself, whereby, as you’ve heard earlier, it’s about hard work, creativity, innovation, and through this, you get to success,” she stated. Johnson also highlighted the significant potential of the team representing Mauritius at the Bocuse D’Or regional competition in Morocco and eventually at the global event in Lyon. “We have here today a team highly talented, driven by their passion, and we are here behind them to ensure that they go as far as possible,” she added.
In addition to supporting the competition, Johnson underscored Absa’s efforts to give back to the local community by extending sponsorship to training initiatives for aspiring chefs. “We’ve added to this sponsorship the ability to give back to Ecole Hôtelière and other youngsters going for training in the same field, and also with l’Ecole Culinaire of Anfen, where you have youngsters who haven’t been successful in the traditional schooling and are developing their skills in culinary arts,” Johnson explained. She concluded by affirming that the sponsorship is about “inspiring, transferring knowledge, and celebrating passion, dedication, and creativity.”
About Absa Mauritius:
Absa Bank (Mauritius) Limited is one of the leading financial institutions in Mauritius, operating since 1919. It offers a full range of business and investment banking products and services, wealth management, corporate banking solutions for SMEs, and retail banking. Absa Mauritius is part of Absa Group Limited, one of the largest financial services groups in Africa. The group is present in 12 African countries (Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, Nigeria, and Zambia). Absa also has representative offices in China and the United States, as well as securities entities in the United Kingdom and the United States, and an IT hub in the Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.absabank.mu.
About Bocuse D’Or Mauritius:
Founded in 2019, Bocuse d’Or Mauritius is committed to offering an exceptional learning experience to its participants, combining practical training, theoretical knowledge, and the discovery of various culinary techniques and traditions. The academy’s instructors, many of whom have participated in Bocuse d’Or themselves, provide guidance and mentorship to students throughout their journey. The academy also collaborates with renowned chefs and culinary experts from around the world, ensuring a world-class education and training experience for its participants. For more information, visit https://bocusedormauritius.com.
