A Festive Season Under Polynesian Warmth
At home
The Festive Pastry with Jean Imbert
Chapter 3
This festive season, let your taste buds revel in a dessert crafted with precision and passion. The pavlova—light, crisp, is adorned with tropical brilliance—.
Created by Chef Jean Imbert and Pastry Chef Camille Chazelle, it brings together vānira (vanilla), vī (mango), and ’ī’ītā (papaya) as fresh fruit and sorbet.
The ’ī’ītā, or papaya, thrives year-round, a gift of perpetual harvest. Its varieties, golden and blushed, are savored in our islands with a squeeze of lime, a tradition that heightens its honeyed sweetness.
Mango, or vī, ripens in waves, first during our Austral winter in July and then during Matari’i i ni’a, the season of abundance that begins in November. Each variety bears a poetic name—atoni, the wild ones; ohure pi’o, curved and deep-hued; opureva, supple and fragrant; and tutehau, golden and honey-sweet. Together, they paint our island orchards with flavor and color.
And then there is vānira—Tahitian vanilla. This rare cultivar (Vanilla Tahitensis), grown in French Polynesia is the result of century-old hybrids, with a sensory profile unlike any other. Its notes are round, soft, and full-bodied, exuding hints of caramel and anise, distinct from the more fruity or woody character of bourbon vanilla.
The dessert begins with a light, airy meringue as its base, complemented by a brunoise of vibrant papaya, mango, and passionfruit. Round and full-bodied, Tahitian vānira brings subtle hints of caramel and anise, while mint oil and gel bring refreshing balance. Papaya and mint are sourced directly from the fa’a’apu ensuring freshness and a connection to the local terroir. Topped with a touch of Papaya pepper, made from the fruit’s seeds to add subtle spice, this pavlova is a delicate masterpiece, celebrating our chefs’ creativity and the richness of our islands’ produce.
Whether enjoyed as the finale to a festive feast or as a standalone indulgence, it reflects both artistry and the timeless gifts of nature.
Next chapter
The Beauty Ritual
From the vibrant flavors of our islands to the timeless beauty rituals of Polynesia, we invite you to continue your journey—one that nourishes both body and spirit, reconnecting with nature and tradition through the soothing grace of Nalani’s beauty ritual, where ancestral wisdom meets self-care.