Day 1 — Welcome to New Caledonia

Warren lands at Tontouta at the end of the day, ready for a food-first escape. For total freedom from the moment he arrives, he picks up his NC Pocket Wifi for easy connection everywhere, grabs his rental car , then heads straight to Nouméa to check in at the Chateau Royal Resort & Spa on the Anse-Vata Bay. With the sun dropping low, he stretches his legs on a sunset stroll between Anse-Vata and Baie des Citrons, before settling in for a first dinner of classic French cuisine.

Day 2 — Explore the country side

The day starts the Nouméa way: beach energy, turquoise water, and that slow island rhythm. After lunch, Warren drives north to La Foa to meet the Guépy family and step onto their vast 1,300-hectare cattle and sheep property, where the produce is local and the passion is real. Just minutes away, he ends the day at La Table du Banian, sharing generous Broussard fusion cooking with Ale and Constance and stays for a night in a Yurt to fully sink into West Coast hospitality.

Day 3 — A day at a kanak tribe

Warren begins with breakfast overlooking the Pocquereux Valley, then takes the scenic one-hour drive into the mountains to visit the Koindé tribe ( Gîte Wankos ). Welcomed by Rosana and her family, he gets hands-on with bougna, learning how fish or meat, local tubers, and bananas are wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked in coconut milk over hot stones. While it cooks, he follows a short trail to a nearby waterfall for a refreshing swim, then returns to share lunch with the family, before finishing back in Nouméa with a wine, cheese and wine tasting at Le Chai de l’Hippodrome .

Day 4 — Island time

Today is about local flavour and lagoon time. Warren meets Samuel Machon at Port Moselle Market , shopping the stalls for fresh fish, prawns and seasonal fruit—ingredients that set the tone for the day. From Port Moselle, he hops aboard Coconut Taxi Boat with Olivier Domergue for a quick ride out to Larégnère Islet, where swimming and exploring come first, and a beachside cooking session (and lunch) follows. He wraps the day with a sunset cocktail moment at MV Lounge , lagoon views included.

Day 5 — A Gourmet Escape

Warren spends the day in Nouméa with Chef Gaby Levionois on an exclusive gourmet tour built around the island’s best stops. After a croque-monsieur at the Port Mozelle Market, they move from cafés and artisan bakeries, meeting producers and spotting the ingredients that define New Caledonia’s French-Pacific mix. The morning’s finds inspire a gourmet lunch at the overwater restaurant Le Roof , with the afternoon left free to explore or recharge, before ending the day with a special dinner event at La Pirogue .

Departure comes early, with the first Aircalin flight back to Australia. Warren takes in one last sunrise as he heads to the airport, leaving with new favourite flavours, warm encounters, and that unmistakable French Pacific spirit that stays long after the trip ends.

New Caledonia

with Warren Mendes

Join Warren Mendes as he discovers New Caledonia through four episodes ,celebrating the destination’s rich cultural diversity where French flair meets Pacific ingredients, and every stop is a reason to plan your next getaway.

From colourful markets to island bites and West Coast hospitality, this is New Caledonia at its most delicious.

Warren Mendes

Warren Mendes is a chef and storyteller known for bringing flavour, culture, and place together in a way that feels effortless and instantly craveable.

In this New Caledonia series, the celebrity chef leads a food-first journey through the destination: market mornings, local traditions, island discoveries, and generous tables that reflect the many layers of Caledonian identity.

Heart of the Pacific

Immersion in New Caledonia

Embark on a five-day journey through New Caledonia, where French elegance meets the vibrant spirit of the Pacific. From Nouméa’s sun-drenched bays to the lush mountain heartlands and pristine islets, this itinerary blends culture, nature, and gourmet discovery.

Meet local families, share authentic Kanak traditions, explore thriving markets, and savor world-class island cuisine—all while enjoying breathtaking landscapes and warm Caledonian hospitality. This is an immersive escape designed to reveal the true essence of New Caledonia.

Day 1 — Welcome to New Caledonia
Warren lands at Tontouta at the end of the day, ready for a food-first escape. For total freedom from the moment he arrives, he picks up his NC Pocket Wifi for easy connection everywhere, grabs his rental car, then heads straight to Nouméa to check in at the Chateau Royal Resort & Spa on the Anse-Vata Bay. With the sun dropping low, he stretches his legs on a sunset stroll between Anse-Vata and Baie des Citrons, before settling in for a first dinner of classic French cuisine.
Day 2 — Explore the country side
The day starts the Nouméa way: beach energy, turquoise water, and that slow island rhythm. After lunch, Warren drives north to La Foa to meet the Guépy family and step onto their vast 1,300-hectare cattle and sheep property, where the produce is local and the passion is real. Just minutes away, he ends the day at La Table du Banian, sharing generous Broussard fusion cooking with Ale and Constance and stays for a night in a Yurt to fully sink into West Coast hospitality.
Day 3 — A day at a kanak tribe
Warren begins with breakfast overlooking the Pocquereux Valley, then takes the scenic one-hour drive into the mountains to visit the Koindé tribe (Gîte Wankos). Welcomed by Rosana and her family, he gets hands-on with bougna, learning how fish or meat, local tubers, and bananas are wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked in coconut milk over hot stones. While it cooks, he follows a short trail to a nearby waterfall for a refreshing swim, then returns to share lunch with the family, before finishing back in Nouméa with a wine, cheese and wine tasting at Le Chai de l’Hippodrome.
Day 4 — Island time
Today is about local flavour and lagoon time. Warren meets Samuel Machon at Port Moselle Market, shopping the stalls for fresh fish, prawns and seasonal fruit—ingredients that set the tone for the day. From Port Moselle, he hops aboard Coconut Taxi Boat with Olivier Domergue for a quick ride out to Larégnère Islet, where swimming and exploring come first, and a beachside cooking session (and lunch) follows. He wraps the day with a sunset cocktail moment at MV Lounge, lagoon views included.
Day 5 — A Gourmet Escape
Warren spends the day in Nouméa with Chef Gaby Levionois on an exclusive gourmet tour built around the island’s best stops. After a croque-monsieur at the Port Mozelle Market, they move from cafés and artisan bakeries, meeting producers and spotting the ingredients that define New Caledonia’s French-Pacific mix. The morning’s finds inspire a gourmet lunch at the overwater restaurant Le Roof, with the afternoon left free to explore or recharge, before ending the day with a special dinner event at La Pirogue.
Day 6 — Farewell

Watch all episodes now!

Episode 1

Kanak food at Tribu de Koindé

A celebration of true local cuisine. Warren is welcomed to the Koindé tribe for a cultural visit and a hands-on food experience, learning how tradition and community shape the table. Together they prepare and share the iconic traditional Bougna: simple, soulful, and deeply connected to place.

Episode 2

France in the Pacific with Gaby Levionois

Warren dives into Nouméa’s food treasures, where French flair makes New Caledonia feel both familiar and thrillingly different. Guided by Gaby Levionois, he starts in the buzz of the colourful market, then discovers legendary cafés and bakeries before unwinding at a premium over-water restaurant tasting French classics made even better with local produce and seafood.

Episode 3

The Broussard Food at Table du Banian

In the heart of the West Coast, Warren meets the broussards,New Caledonia’s stockman culture, where food is generous, seasonal, and proudly made from what the land provides. At La Table du Banian, short supply chains are the rule: farm-grown ingredients, local know-how, and a warm welcome that makes you want to stay for seconds.

Episode 4

Hidden Pacific Treasures on Larégnère islet

Warren heads out to Larégnère islet, just a stone’s throw from Nouméa, to uncover a different side of New Caledonia: wild beauty, turquoise waters, and the kind of “how is this real?” scenery that begs for a day on the lagoon. It’s a reminder that here, the most memorable flavours often come with salt air, sunshine, and a sense of discovery.