In Sint Maarten, enjoy an infusion of multicultural flavours

Published Mar 09, 2024  •  Last updated Mar 11, 2024  •  6 minute read

For Derio Boyce, the executive chef of Salt Restaurant, located within The Morgan Resort and Spa, the cultural influences of Sint Maarten and his culinary team of chefs all contribute to the delicious dishes featured on the menu.

Salt’s dishes lean heavily on French elements (a majority of the chefs in the kitchen have backgrounds in French cuisine) while also coupling with Caribbean flavours. Boyce says the cuisine is fusion-based.

“With the Salt menu, one of the things I wanted to look at was how we can have an international standard menu with the influence of Caribbean flavour,” he says. “For instance, you will see a lot of sweet potatoes and different starches you wouldn’t normally see in French (cuisine). There will be some French and Italian influences, of course Caribbean. It’s all fusion.”

There are 140 different cultures represented on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten. Just a walk down the strip in the village of Simpson Bay will reveal more than 40 restaurants with all kinds of international flavours. Boyce says you can taste the world on your island exploration, which is why he wanted to do something different with Salt’s offerings.

One of Boyce’s favourite creations is a seafood paella, which is traditionally a Spanish dish. However, his version adds bouillabaisse tomato-based sauce to the rice that’s mixed in with shrimp, mussels, clams and calamari. It’s a taste of Spain with Caribbean influences and equally tasty.

He says the crab cakes are also a top pick. But honestly, he loves the whole menu.