Ex278c1Meet Alison
for a unique Reunionese picnic, combining tradition, local flavours and a lively atmosphere.
The Indian Ocean stretches out before us, sparkling blue in the radiant sunshine. This morning I’m meeting up with some friends on the beach at Trou d’Eau, a little corner of paradise on the west coast of Réunion. The sand is still cool beneath my feet as the local fishermen patiently haul in their nets. Today, there’s no cooler to carry or logistical headaches about who brings what: I opted for a unique experience, a picnic delivered directly to the site by Soubik PikNik. This is a service infused with the real flavour of Creole tradition and a passion for sharing.
A delivery with your feet in the sand.
It all began a few days earlier, on the réunion.fr website. I placed the order by choosing the date, the number of guests and, most importantly, where we wanted the delivery to be made. Shortly afterwards, I received a message from Alison, Soubik PikNik’s founder. She offered us a tempting menu, prepared with local and seasonal produce. Then, all we had to do was make our choice and wait until the big day.
And here it is: that long-awaited day. While I enjoy the cool ocean and warm sunshine with my friends, Alison and her husband Shiva arrive with infectious smiles, their arms laden with soubiks – traditional, carefully woven Réunionese vacoas baskets. They explain their process: a turnkey picnic, inspired by Réunionese culture, respectful of the environment and full of love. After this enthusiastic presentation, they leave us among friends, with everything we need to fully enjoy this day and a few unexpected surprises.
An explosion of Reunionese flavours.
First of all, we set up the beautiful mats offered in our soubiks, which are much more than just lunch baskets. These hampers are absolutely bursting with generosity and discoveries. I start with the drinks: fresh and thirst-quenching watermelon and passion fruit juices, perfect for the heat. And for the aperitif, we discover a festival of textures and flavours: crispy samoussas, ‘bonbons piments’ with just the right amount of heat … Everything is homemade and you can really taste it – I guarantee you’ll love it.
The main meal is an ode to Reunionese cuisine. Savoury sausage rougail, fragrant Reunionese fried rice, ‘riz chauffé rice with cod, roast fish with condiments: every bite is a journey. The spices awaken our taste buds, while the flavours are balanced and authentic. Everything is served in recyclable containers, with wooden cutlery: here, respect for the environment is also a priority. There’s no denying it, I’ve rarely eaten so well at a beach picnic.
A timeless moment.
As the sun began to set, we discovered the little surprises tucked into our baskets: a deck of cards to keep the fun going, some little pieces of jewellery handmade by Shiva, and even a mini kayamb, the emblematic instrument of Maloya – Reunion’s traditional music.
This picnic is much more than a simple outdoor meal: it’s an immersion in the soul of Reunion, a meeting with passionate craftsmen who pass on their love of the island in every detail to ensure you have the best time possible.
Finally, it’s time for dessert. You won’t be able to resist the moist ‘ti son’ cake, the golden banana fritters, the crunchy pralines or the fresh seasonal fruit – in this case watermelon and Victoria pineapple. Each delicacy is a nod to childhood flavours and the sweet delights of Réunion.
As the day draws to a close, we pack up our mats and take our soubiks with us. This is not just a physical souvenir, but the experience of having tasted the precious simplicity and sincere hospitality that make Reunion so unique.
