The Telegraph: With a boost from Masterchef, this exotic island is now an icon of cuisine

When Shelina Permalloo won Masterchef in 2012, it put Mauritius on the foodie map. Wooing the judges with Mauritian mutton curry, dried shrimp rougaille, and mouthwatering mango desserts, she highlighted the island’s unique fusion cuisine. Judge Gregg Wallace described her food as “sunshine on a plate” (the title of her first cookery book). She went on to open Lakaz Maman (mum’s house), a Mauritian street kitchen in Southampton (lakazmaman.com).

I know Mauritius well; I grew up eating steaming hot curried samousas for elevenses, and napolitaines (a round shortbread with jam inside, covered in bright pink icing) for afternoon tea, and scooping seven slippery curries off a banana leaf with my fingers, as is customary, at the occasional Hindu wedding....