A TASTE OF MADAGASCAR: Author Emmanuel Laroche and Ambassador Rakotomalala

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Taste of Madagascar: Culinary Riches of the Red Island takes you on a rare sensory journey of the island’s flavors. From the world-renowned vanilla beans to the endemic voatsiperifery wild pepper, and more. Award-winning author and food podcaster Emmanuel Laroche unveils the island’s extraordinary food treasures. Discover the inspiring stories behind both legendary and little-known ingredients alongside the Malagasy farmers, artisans, and chefs who cultivate and transform them. With Emmanuel as your guide, you’ll uncover:

- The vibrant flavors and stories behind Madagascar’s famed vanilla, cocoa, wild honey, pink peppercorn, and caviar.

- Recipes reimagined by Malagasy chefs and global culinary leaders.

- Inspiring interviews with local farmers and companies committed to sustainable practices.

Perfect for chefs, food writers, home cooks, and conscious travelers, A Taste of Madagascar invites you to explore a rich culinary scene that’s waiting to be savored, shared, and preserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emmanuel Laroche is a French-born culinary explorer, food writer, and photographer with a unique perspective on the industry and deep understanding of flavor trends and ingredients. He is vice president of marketing with Symrise North America and a global manufacturer of flavors and natural ingredients for the food and beverage industry. In 2015, he developed an exclusive partnership with StarChefs, a trusted resource for the food and beverage industry, and began moderating panel discussions with successful culinary professionals. He launched the popular podcast Flavors Unknown in 2018 which features conversations with acclaimed, award-winning cooks, chefs, and mixologists. Emmanuel published his first book, Conversations Behind The Kitchen Door: 50 American Chefs Chart Today’s Food Culture with more than 3,500 copies sold in 2023. He currently lives in New Jersey and continues to travel, conduct tastings, lectures, and presentations on food and consumer trends.

ABOUT THE AMBASSADOR

H.E. Solo Andry Lantosoa Rakotomalala is the first woman Ambassador of the Republic of Madagascar to the United States of America and a recognized woman leader in the field of economic development, corporate governance, and international relations. She brings over25 years of professional experience across 15 developing countries. Ambassador Rakotomalala is a Former Minister of Industry, Trade and Crafts of the Republicof Madagascar, Chairperson of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar, BoardMember of the Central Bank of Madagascar. She worked at various multilateral organizations, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Francophonie, as well as inthebanking sector in Mauritius, Madagascar and Canada. She is an active member of the Chief Economist of Government Initiative (CEoG) in Africa, an initiative of the World BankGroup. During her tenure as Minister of Industry and Trade, she was the focal point of theGovernment of Madagascar for the Investment Climate portfolio, focusing on investmentreforms, private-public dialogue, and Country Industrialization strategy. Shehasparticipated actively in international trade negotiations, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and has managed the exercise as President of the Council of Ministers of Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). Ambassador Rakotomalala is a Chartered Professional Accountant, holding advanceddegrees in management accounting, innovation and entrepreneurship, international relations from renowned institutions. She is luent in Malagasy, French, and English.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Andrea Sachs has been a Washington Post travel writer since 2000. She has covered a vast array of topics, ranging from pilot mental health and a hula hoop retreat in Michigan to the wildfires in Maui and a Florida glamping retreat with 130 rescue cats. She has chased assignments around the globe, traveling to South Africa to dine at a prison restaurant, to Zimbabwe and Tanzania for a budget safari, to Namibia to volunteer at a baby baboon sleepover and to Madagascar to see as many lemurs as humanly possible. Though vegan, she can always find a tasty bowl of rice and beans wherever she goes.