Local hero: Georgiana Viou: Benin’s Michelin-Star Chef invites you to taste Cotonou
Georgiana Viou: Benin’s Michelin-Starred Ambassador of Soulful Flavors
Born in Cotonou and now wielding her talents at ROUGE in Nîmes—France’s first Michelin-starred Benin-inspired restaurant—Georgiana Viou masterfully fuses her West African roots with Mediterranean finesse. From MasterChef finalist to Gault & Millau “Grand de Demain” and Michelin acclaim in 2023, her journey celebrates Benin’s vibrant culinary heritage, where family kitchens brimmed with joy and tradition. Beninese cuisine reflects the nation’s cultural mosaic—coastal freshness from Atlantic fisheries, fiery inland spices, and communal feasts honoring Vodun rituals and market bounty, transforming everyday ingredients into profound storytelling.
Photo credits: Georgiana Viou
Savoring Benin’s Bold Palette: Signature Ingredients and Dishes
Viou’s dishes spotlight Benin’s pantry staples: crimson palm oil for silky depth, afintin (fermented néré seeds crafting an earthy “African mustard”), subtly dosed piments, and dja—tomatoes slow-confited with aromatics into umami gold. Imagine grilled fish slathered in this elixir, paired with pâte en sauce (cassava dough in peanut-tomato gravy) or smoky agouti stews evoking savanna hunts. Markets like Dantokpa overflow with these gems—fresh prawns from Ganvié’s lake pirogues, fermented irù for funky tang, and plantains fried crisp—each bite weaving Benin’s coastal, forest, and spiritual narratives into explosive harmony.
Taste Benin: Viou’s Book and visit ROUGE Restaurant
A vibrant tribute to Benin’s rich cuisine. Enhanced by Maki Manoukian’s evocative photos of Cotonou markets, Ouidah fishing routes, and Ganvié’s lake pirogues, the book offers nearly 70 authentic recipes for home cooks anywhere.
Capture this essence in Viou’s Le Goût de Cotonou (Ducasse Édition, 2021), featuring 70 authentic recipes photographed amid Cotonou’s markets and Ouidah shores—your passport to Benin’s soulful home cooking. Dine at her Michelin-starred ROUGE in Nîmes (6 rue Fresque, 30000 Nîmes) for an elevated Benin menu inspired by the Mediterranean and a touch of Benin.
Explore Benin with Hyperlocal
Now it’s time to travel and experience Benin’s rich culture. Book a trip with Hyperlocal— and pair culinary journey, chef-led feasts, and market tours with Vodun festivals, Pendjari safaris, or Ouidah golf escapes. Book now—taste, explore, and immerse in Benin’s wonders with Hyperlocal— the leading local tour operator and the winner of United Nations Tourism SDG award.
