TL Insiders get a taste of Saint Martin

On November 1, TL Insiders gathered at Lucie for A Taste of Saint Martin to discover the flair and flavours of the idyllic Caribbean island. Following a welcome reception with cocktails and canapés, Valérie Damaseau, president of the Saint Martin tourism office, kicked off this special evening with an introduction to the island’s rich history and attractions as a premier tourist destination.

Visitors to the aptly nicknamed “friendly island” enjoy thousands of hectares of unspoiled natural landscapes, including 11 kilometres of coastline with 37 white-sand beaches and the Saint Martin Nature Reserve. And with more than 350 restaurants and bars dotting the French side of the island, Saint Martin also offers exceptional culinary diversity, which draws the world’s best chefs to its shores through the annual Festival de la Gastronomie Saint Martin. From November 11 to 22, 2024, 19 internationally recognized chefs will descend on the capital city of Marigot to highlight the island’s culinary heritage—a blend of Caribbean spices and French flavours—and celebrate international cuisines that represent over 120 nationalities.

Guests of the event at Lucie’s were then invited to enjoy a sit-down dinner and wine pairings provided by chef Dylan Wagner, the chef de cuisine at La Terrasse in Marigot, in collaboration with Lucie’s chef Arnaud Bloquel. The meal began with a bigeye tuna tartare with green papaya and lime Sabayon appetizer followed by Dema Farm’s chicken ballotine, confit plantains and a jus reduction. It concluded with a dessert of old rum baba with pineapple and vanilla sorbet. Félicitations à Robert Stefanelli, the lucky winner of the evening’s Grand Prize: a trip for two to Saint Martin, airfare and accommodation included, to attend the 2024 Festival de la Gastronomie!