Anse Chastanet resort, situated on the stunning island of St. Lucia in the heart of the Caribbean, has recently undertaken a culinary transformation. Its Emeralds restaurant elevates its dining experience to new heights with the introduction of an entirely vegan menu. The resort is nestled on an estate spanning 600 acres of lush tropical landscape. Additionally, the resort is bordered by two pristine sandy beaches on a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The resort’s two crystal-clear bays are a designated marine reserve, protecting the coral reefs teeming with an array of tropical marine life. The restaurant has now made a definitive departure from dairy and eggs, committing to a fully plant-based menu.
St. Lucian Influences
St. Lucia is known for its stunning natural beauty, and boasts a rich culinary heritage. All is deeply rooted in the island’s vibrant culture and diverse influences. From the indigenous Arawak and Carib peoples to the French and British colonial legacies, St. Lucian cuisine reflects those flavors and traditions.
At Anse Chastanet, guests embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the island’s bounty and pays homage to its culinary heritage. Drawing inspiration from modern Caribbean flavors to East Indian and St.Lucian fusion, the resort’s chefs infuse each dish with a unique blend of locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.
Going Vegan
The decision to transition Emeralds restaurant to a fully vegan establishment came from a growing demand for plant-based dining options among guests, according to their press release. Particularly, Karolin Troubetzkoy, the executive director of marketing and operations at Anse Chastanet, noted the shift in consumer preferences and seized the opportunity to embrace the evolving culinary landscape. “We saw an increasing demand for vegan meals from our guests, so we thought why not develop this concept and make it part of our dining experiences” she remarked in a statement.
The Vegan Experience
Although the resort already offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian options across its other dining venues, Emeralds now stands as a restaurant solely for plant-based cuisine. The luxury restaurant offers a diverse array of menu options. It offers four menus on most nights, ranging from innovative takes on Caribbean cuisine to seafood and St.Lucian fusion. The Emerald’s Restaurant boasts a modern tapas style menu. It includes dishes like Crispy Cauliflower, St Lucian Mango Chutney and Bread Fruit Gnocchi and Chadon Beni Pesto. Each dish is showcases the bold flavors and vibrant ingredients synonymous with St. Lucian cuisine.
Renowned chef Allen Susser, a recipient of the prestigious James Beard Award, leads the culinary team. Collaborating with the resort’s vegan chef de cuisine, Frank Faucher, they created the menu and concept for the dining experience. Also, other internationally acclaimed vegan chefs often come to create plant-based delicacies for the restaurant. However, the culinary experience extends beyond the chefs in the kitchen. Every guest can participate in the dining experience.
Vegan Beyond the Kitchen
Anse Chastanet’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond the kitchen as well. Much of the fresh produce used in the restaurant comes from the resort’s organic farm. It is located about 20 minutes away from the resort. Guests can visit the farm and enjoy activities like farm to table cooking classes with freshly harvested vegetables and fruits. The website states that the farm focuses on growing produce that is not easily accessible to St. Lucia. The restaurant also prioritizes supplementing its daily produce needs with purchases from the local farmers in the community. Customers receive a chance to see how the restaurant harvests and makes the menu for themselves. Completely immersing themselves in the culinary journey creates a deeper appreciation for the origins of their food.