Manava - Welcome
Welcome to Havaiki's Tahitian kitchen!​
Born and raised on Moorea, I left a corporate fashion career in Europe to serve my culture and my island.
Havaiki Brouillet, Founder
Q: What is your happiest childhood memory?
A: Eating Sao, these Chinese crackers, with peanut butter at my grandmother’s house, lit with a petrol lamp because there was no electricity, in Faa’a.
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Q: When you are with your family, where do you have lunch in Mo’orea or around the world?
A: In Mo’orea, I love Cook’s Bay Hotel—the restaurant is fantastic, overlooking Cook’s Bay. In Paris, I go to Chez Diep or Mirama. In Los Angeles, Wally’s, which is owned by a friend of mine.
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Q: An activity that brings you joy?
A: Gardening. My garden is what brings me the most joy.
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Q: A color that represents you?
A: Green.
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Q: How would you describe yourself?
A: A mother. I’m a person who loves to make things, to create things.
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Q: What does food mean to you?
A: Food is love. It’s memories of taste, it’s about gathering, it’s a form of happiness.
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Q: What is different for you about Polynesian food?
A: First of all, it’s where I’m from. It’s the food I’ve been fed since birth. It’s amazingly, incredibly colorful and full of flavor.
What amazes me about Tahitian products is their smell, their fragrance, their vibrant colors. And the simplicity of bringing them from nature to your plate.