The island of Mauritius, in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar, was variously colonised by the Dutch, French and English until its independence in 1968.
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Over centuries labourers were imported from India, Africa, China and many other parts to work the fields so it's a rich mix of cultures, ethnicities and languages.
The new chef at the Cootamundra Ex-Servicemen's Club, Yogesh Chowdhoory, feels at home in multicultural Australia, and loves fusion cuisine.
His ancestors migrated to Mauritius from India around 200 years ago and his parents still live there - his father is a chef, so for Yogesh the kitchen has always been his passion.
Now 31, he came to Australia 11 years ago to study business management and human resources.
Luckily for Cootamundra, he chose to remain.
Having worked in a business in Sydney together with Ken Tu Chi Chau, the operator of the Chinese bistro at the club, he successfully applied for a job to add western cuisine to the menu and since arriving two months ago has also catered for several functions.
Yogesh's wife, currently still working in Sydney, will move to Coota when her contract finishes in a month.
He likes the quiet of Cootamundra, and the fact that he can have a house with a good front garden and back yard rather than an apartment, and has found the people "nice and friendly".
The restaurant and bar, on the ground floor near the entrance, opens tonight.
As well as steak, seafood and poultry items there'll be a blackboard special from Yogesh. It promises excellent value, with mains around the $30 mark - don't miss it!