A Feast For All The Senses!
A unique island dining experience in the remote Patagonia region that is not for the faint-hearted, but certainly is well worth the journey!
By Ahmed Gouda, Editor
Hailed by celebrities such as Guy Ritchie and David Beckham as an adventure like no other
From landing in the port town of Comodoro Rivadavia, guests are forgiven for wondering if this is a trip or a pilgrimage. Embarking on a journey by road and boat across sometimes barren, often breathtaking, landscape, you’ll arrive at one of the most secluded private islands in the world. As complex as Guy Ritchie’s films and as exquisite as David Beckham’s skills on the pitch, this is a surprising, unforgettable and magical encounter in unspoilt and rugged South American territory. The one-hour boat ride across a stunning frozen lake brings you to your destination, the remote, exclusive and beautiful island owned by Argentine celebrity chef, Francis Mallmann.
This rustic island called simply “La Isla” is where you can find Mallmann, reconnecting with nature and the land he was raised in. Mallmann who has hosted his own TV show in the country featuring his unique style of outdoor cooking as well as appearing on Netflix’s ‘Chef’s Table’ in 2017, inspired him to write a Patagonia-based movie and who is host to this incredible experience. After a splashy trip across the lake, Mallmann, who is also the author of the book ‘Seven Fires – Grilling The Argentine Way’, will welcome you to La Isla nestled up against a spectacular backdrop of rugged mountains.
Image credit: Laura Austin
Francis Mallmann’s innovative style of outdoor Argentine cooking, inspired by the original Gaucho cooking with simple ingredients, has made him a household name. He began his culinary career as a humble cook for tourists on a pleasure boat on Lake Nahuel Huapi, Patagonia, in 1970. By the tender age of 20, Mallmann was running a restaurant with a partner from where he travelled to Paris to hone his talent amongst famed chefs including innovative French chef, Paul Bocuse.
Mallmann specialises in creating vibrant food with a theatrical style which is somehow both rustic and refined, paired with exquisite local wines. Explaining his passion for the culinary, Mallmann says: ‘I like contradictions. I want the food and wine to fight in my mouth, to see which is better’. Nothing less than a contradiction himself, guests will be transfixed and inspired by Mallmann’s stories and outlook on life during their visit.
“The most beautiful thing about cooking is the silent language. You can’t write about it. I can’t teach it. That’s why there are so many cookbooks but not much success out of cookbooks.”
Francis MallmannChef, Author, Restaurateur
Satopia guests will relax and enjoy the company of the enigmatic chef and seasoned traveller in this stunning setting as he shares his stories, poems and sublime outdoor cooking. With great company, unparalleled scenery and the most incredible feast enjoyed in the wild, this is a once in a lifetime experience.
This Hosted Experience is an ideal opportunity to enjoy the company of our beloved restaurateur and raconteur chef Francis Mallmann. La Isla is a rustic and completely unspoilt destination, representing the perfect setting to experience Mallmann’s authentic Argentine cooking in the great outdoors and discover the simplicity of disconnected island life.
