Cooking Bora Bora Style is the new recipe book to discover in Bora Bora. The recipes highlight the local products of Bora Bora and combine greed and simplicity. Resulting from an approach towards food self-sufficiency, this book is much more than a cookbook. It is also a message of awareness that emphasizes the importance of using and growing Bora Bora’s local products.

From a contest to a cookbook

Cooking Bora Bora Style is the result of two cooking contests organized after lockdown in 2020 by Ia Vai Ma Noa Bora Bora, an association that works for sustainable development. Indeed, awareness of imports dependency has increased since the closure of the borders in Polynesia. More than ever, we talk about food security.

Cooking Bora Bora Style offers 20 accessible recipes using local products. It proves that it is possible to eat healthy and tasty. All the recipes were developed by the candidates who participated at the “Chef’s Show” competition. Behind the work of the chefs, fishermen and farmers featured in the book is a common passion for the products of Bora Bora.

The profits from the book are used to set up cooking classes in the neighborhoods of Bora Bora. These classes allow people to discover simple and delicious recipes using fruits and vegetables from the garden.

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Ia Vai Ma Noa Bora Bora association

The association Ia Vai Ma Noa Bora Bora (“clean island, clean life”) has existed since 1994. Chaired by Tehani Maueau since 2014, this association is involved in sustainable development with actions focused on the environment, social but also economic. The association offers cooking workshops with all the book recipes during craft markets. It will be present at the Christmas market from November 29^th to December 4^th 2021. The Christmas market in Bora Bora was set up by the association and highlights the crafts in Bora Bora. The association has introduced the “No Plastic” concept at Christmas market. It also raises awareness about sustainable development. 

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The impact of lockdown on the population

Following the global pandemic in March 2020, Polynesia had to close its borders to protect the population. This had a significant economic impact and challenged Polynesia’s trade balance, including dependence on imports.

The population was affected and some families could not benefit from social assistance because of their special status. Immediately, Ia Vai Ma Noa Bora Bora created the Caddy du cœur (charitable donations at the supermarket) with the help of stores and residents of Bora Bora. The collections were redistributed to families targeted by the DSFE (Department of Solidarity, Family and Equality). 

Consequently, awareness of the importance of food access and the need to adopt a process towards food self-sufficiency were more than ever on the agenda.

The Association therefore reacted by proposing a cooking contest to highlight local products as fruits and vegetables.

The contest and the origin of the recipe book

In June 2020, the competition A haere mai e tama (“Come and eat”) was held in the kitchens of the SEP (Professional Education Section). The theme of the contest was: How to integrate local products into inexpensive and tasty preparations?

The competition lasted 9 days with candidates from 18 to 70 years old.

Each day an ingredient was proposed: tubers, leaves, fish, papaya… Some candidates had a recipe to cook on a particular ingredient and others competed to all sessions. Sylviane, winner of the Jury’s Favourite prize, won 8 out of 9 days.

Then, the Chef’s Show competition took place in Vaitape in July 2020. The jury composed of the Executive Chef of the Intercontinental Bora Bora Thalasso and Spa, the director of the CJA, the president of Radio Bora Bora, and a food critic designated 8 interesting and easy to reproduce dishes. The goal was for people to reproduce them at home. The contest was broadcast on television and the magazine Tama’a contacted the association to write an article. Little by little, the idea of making a book took shape and Tama’a magazine brought its help and expertise to make this project a reality.

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Chefs, farmers and fishermen: the love of the product

All passionate about cooking, the Chefs who created the recipes in this book have combined their talent and their desire to work with local products. The book presents each Chef portrait. Sylviane, the winner of the the Jury’s Favourite prize, was invited to share her recipes with the population during cooking classes given in different districts of the island. She is accompanied by Vaitia. The classes have been in place since 2020 and participants are always amazed to see that it is possible to cook simply with products growing around them. 

Fishermen and farmers are also highlighted in the book. They promote local products. Farmers understand the importance of cultivating the land and master all the secrets of fa’a’apu (vegetable garden). Fishing, a passionate profession generally passed down from childhood, helps feed the island of Bora Bora. Mahimahi (dolphinfish), tuna, ature (carangidae family) and ‘Io’io are often used in local dishes. 

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How to reach food self-sufficiency?

The surface area of the island of Bora Bora would not allow enough agricultural space to feed the entire population. However, “we need to optimize the use of the gardens,” according to Tehani, “we have a very generous nature, it grows easily, and we don’t necessarily need fertilizers. 

More than in the past, the government is talking about food security and autonomy. The CAPL (Chamber of Agriculture and Fishing of the Lagoon) offers many training courses.

Lack of time to cook and the discovery of international dishes do not always allow cooking local products. However, efforts are being made to change consumption habits. In schools, the Health Service offers fruit snacks. “This is already a good point because it allows children to appreciate fruit. I think we should continue and persevere,” says Tehani. 

So, Cooking Bora Bora Style is the recipe book to have in your kitchen!

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Where to buy Cooking Bora Bora Style?

You can buy the book in several stores on the island of Bora Bora.  If you are not at Bora Bora but would like to purchase a copy, you can contact the publishing agency SMILE directly (compta@agence-smile.com) by giving your full name, complete address, and phone number.

The book is available in French and English. International delivery is possible.