promising young Flemish chefs
Flemish kitchen
rebels
2013 - 2014 edition
Flemish kitchen
rebels
FLEMISH KITCHEN REBELS CREATE THE FLEMISH WAVE Flemish Kitchen Rebels are the new generation of young Flemish and Brussels chefs that are on the verge of an international breakthrough. After the Spanish Wave and the Nordic Wave, now it’s time for the Flemish Wave.
YOUNG CHEFS This magazine showcases the most promising young chefs. They are all under 35. Each chef in their own kitchen. Each selected by an expert jury chaired by former two-star chef Jan Buytaert, a former pioneer of nouvelle cuisine in Belgium.
REBEL The young chefs do things their own way. That’s what makes them innovators in the world of Flemish fine dining. They open-mindedly seek out the best combinations of flavours. With an eye for detail and a powerful drive to reduce ingredients to their purest form.
GROUNDBREAKING CRAFTSMANSHIP Powered by their knowledge and skill, the chefs are true masters of their art. Often trained at the best hotel schools in Flanders. This training has sharpened their product knowledge, cooking techniques and discipline.
FRESH PRODUCE Flanders Northern federal state of the country of Belgium Capital Brussels Language Dutch Population >6,300,000 inhabitants Area of Flemish Region 13,521 km2 Fine dining scene 83 Michelin stars held by 66 restaurants
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Flanders has several unique fresh products in its culinary heritage such as grey shrimps, hop shoots and endive. A Flemish Kitchen Rebel has respect and a passion for these products, for the producers and growers. Although products from all over the world are available in Flanders, the chefs love sourcing products from close to home, in their local area. Or in some cases, from their own garden. You can’t get any fresher.
BON VIVEUR CULTURE We also have a special gastronomic history with many dishes from the middle ages that are still popular in our country’s folk cuisine. Modern chefs always enjoy reviving them and putting their own stamp on them. There is also our bon viveur nature that makes us want to enjoy all of these delicious foods.
FLEMISH WAVE Our restaurant culture is based on this triangle of talented chefs, varied fresh produce and enthusiastic customers. Thanks to the Flemish Wave of young, talented chefs, Flanders is set to become the new destination for fine food. It’s telling what European journalists say about Flemish cuisine when they visit our country. They are mostly full of praise for the large number of affordable, high quality restaurants, brasseries and other places to eat that can be found in a small area.
www.flemishkitchenrebels.be
YOUNGEST FLEMISH THREE-STAR CHEF SUPPORTS FLEMISH KITCHEN REBELS Gert De Mangeleer from restaurant Hertog Jan, the third and youngest three-star chef in Belgium since 2011, is supporting the Flemish Kitchen Rebels campaign with maître d’ Joachim Boudens. They are supporting the young chefs who are putting our top gastronomy on the map, in Flanders and abroad. Gert De Mangeleer (35) best represents the highly talented generation of top young chefs who ensure that the world of Flemish dining is brimming with their expertise, innovation and quality. He combines ingredients with a great sense of flavours. He knows what to leave out and keeps on refining combinations until he gets down to the essence. ‘My cooking looks really innovative’, he says. ‘But it’s actually very simple and natural. The combinations are innovative because they are out of the ordinary. This makes people think we are engaged in molecular cuisine. But there’s nothing molecular about us. Our cooking is probably among the least technical when you compare it to similar restaurants.’ Gert De Mangeleer’s dishes feature a wide diversity of ingredients. Vegetables play a major role. In 2013, his restaurant moved to a farm in the polders with three hectares of land. Two hectares have already been prepared for growing micro vegetables to be used in his cooking.
Flemish Kitchen Rebels is more than a culinary revolution. As the youngest gastronomic generation, we’re just as concerned about doing business responsibly, respecting the environment, our staff, doing things the right way and front-of-house service. Flanders is stronger than ever as a gastronomic destination, thanks to our drive and our focus on local products, coupled with the latest technology, which is also home-grown. The Flemish Primitives of our time paint with their cuisine, focussing on the overall experience of ‘dining out’. During their culinary travels, the foodies of this world are already extremely hungry for the authentic total experience. This is where our Flemish Kitchen Rebels excel, surrounded by young, driven maitre d’s and sommeliers with a love of Belgian wines, beers and spirits. There’s no better place for ‘foodies’ than Flanders, and as supporters of ‘Flemish Kitchen Rebels we’re very proud of that. Thanks to the support of Visit Flanders and Flanders For Foodies we now also have the opportunity to promote ourselves internationally. We want to seize this opportunity with both hands, to support our own and later generations. Joachim Boudens and Gert De Mangeleer
© Kristof Vrancken
Hertog Jan
| www.hertog-jan.com
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ACHIM VANDENBUSSCHE (34) Den Dyver West Flanders Dyver 5 8000 Brugge (Bruges) (100 km from Brussels) Type of cuisine Sophisticated, creative cuisine around the theme of beer.
Forget traditional beerbased cuisine, here you eat beer-based dishes with an innovative boost.
Story of the chef Achim Vandenbussche’s pet hate is hearty dishes containing beer. He uses well-known and less wellknown Belgian beers in his recipes. There’s plenty of choice: he has over 600 different varieties to choose from. Facts • Michelin: 2 forks and spoons | GM listing: 13/20 • Other international awards: Beer and Gastronomy Award • Number of covers: 50 • Groups: up to 50 people • Price range: €35 for a three-course menu
How to get there Train station: Bruges (15 minutes’ walk to Dijver) Bus: De Lijn number 1 or 11 Places to stay De Tuilerieën, (next to restaurant) www.hoteltuilerieen.com or www.visitbruges.be
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Den Dyver
| www.dyver.be
Don’t miss • Visit to Halve Maan city brewery, www.halvemaan.be • Every Sunday, there is an antiques market opposite the restaurant.
Flemish kitchen
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Alexandre Dionisio (32)
Cooking is much more than following a recipe. Cooking is telling stories.
Restaurant Alexandre Brussels Capital Region Rue du Midi 164 1000 Brussels Type of cuisine Classic dishes are reworked using modern techniques. The chef likes to play with textures. Every dish carries a different message. The main ingredient determines the story line. The other ingredients are the secondary characters that complete the story. The chef is only happy when his story (dish) fits the setting of the day. Story of the chef During his training at art school, the chef soon felt drawn towards practice rather than theory. He broke off his studies and immediately started working in the best fine dining restaurants in Brussels. That’s where he learnt his trade. This self-made man has both feet firmly on the ground and often thinks back to how it first began for him. Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listing: 16/20 • GM Chef of the Year 2013 • Number of covers: 25 • Price range: 4 courses: €75, 8 courses: €130 How to get there Train station: Brussels South Metro: Anneessens stop Places to stay Hotel Bedford, Rue du Midi 135-137 in Brussels, www.hotelbedford.be. Mainly aimed at business customers.
Restaurant Alexandre
| www.restaurant-alexandre.be
Don’t miss Take a stroll from the restaurant to the Grand Place and be amazed by Brussels’ charm.
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Bart De Bondt (31) Bart De Bondt Flemish Brabant Broekstraat 9 3300 Tienen (48 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Modern Flemish cuisine with its roots in the classic French-Belgian tradition.
No purees or espumas. An ingredient must be recognisable.
How to get there Train station: Tienen (800m walk to restaurant) Places to stay B&B Koeimet, Veemarkt 32 in Tienen (4 minute walk) www.koeimet.be B&B De Vrije Lansier, Vierde Lansierslaan 19 in Tienen (9 minute walk), www.vrijelansier.be
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Bart De Bondt
| www.bartdebondt.eu
Story of the chef A whole chicken carved at the table or a salt-crusted seabass slit open in front of the customer... Bart De Bondt cherishes the traditions and demonstrates the enormous adaptability of Flemish chefs. Facts • Number of covers: 45 • Groups: up to 70 people • Price range: €28 two-course lunch, €35 three-course set menu, average price €75
Nearest city Leuven Don’t miss The Tienen sugar museum, a guided tour of the wonderful world of sugar and sweets. Grote Markt 3, 3300 Tienen. www.erfgoedsitetienen.be Sweet Art, an ice cream shop runned by Dominique Vandermeulen, master pastry chef and Lenka Rock, sugar artist. Leuvensestraat 26 in Tienen, www.sweet-art.be.
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Bart Tastenhoye (31)
I get a kick out of fresh fish. We have a direct line to the fish market in Zeebrugge.
Kelderman East Flanders Parklaan 4 9300 Aalst (27 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Modern fish-based cuisine with great sense of creativity and inventiveness. Story of the chef Kelderman is one of the best known fish restaurants in Flanders. Bart Tastenhoye, the new chef de cuisine, is introducing fresh, new preparations that make the dishes lighter and more fun. Facts • GM listing: 15/20 • Number of covers: 50 • Groups: 15 to 30 people • Price range: three-course menu all-in €85
How to get there Train station: Aalst, 20 minute walk Bus: line 31, 32 or 33 direction Aalst-Ninove
Nearest city Ghent
Places to stay Keizershof Hotel, Korte Nieuwstraat 15 in Aalst (15 minute walk), www.keizershof-hotel.com De Biek, Moorsel-Dorp 3 in Moorsel (6 km to the restaurant), www.hostelleriedebiek.be
Don’t miss Since 2010, the Carnival of Aalst has been included in the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. www.aalst.be/carnaval
Kelderman
| www.visrestaurant-kelderman.be
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Food in the city of Antwerp
What to buy, do and discover as a foodie. The chefs share a few tips with you:
As a foodie in Antwerp you have to buy: Top quality Belgian chocolate and biscuits such as ‘Antwerp Hands’; Elixir d’Anvers and Vieux d’Anvers; Antwerp beers, by De Koninck Brewery (e.g. Spéciale Belge – ‘Bolleke Keuninck’), ‘t Pakhuis Brewery (e.g. ‘Nen Bangelijke’) and Antwerp Brewing Company (‘Seefbier’); Coffee, e.g. Amberes coffee by Koffie Verheyen.
Places to shop for great food Stadswinkel What to buy: all Antwerp food icons (Antwerp Hands, Elixir d’Anvers … ) Address: Grote Markt 11, 2000 Antwerp - www.antwerpen.be/stadswinkel Vervloet The best cheese shop in the city. Address: Wiegstraat 28, 2000 Antwerp Kaasmeester Van Tricht What to buy: an elaborate variety of cheeses, with cheese & wine bar next door. Address: Fruithoflaan 41, 2600 Berchem - www.kaasmeestervantricht.be De Markt | Felix Pakhuis What to discover: a covered, permanent market or food concept store with all kinds of fresh produce. Address: Godefriduskaai 30, 2000 Antwerp - www.demarkt.nu
Places to work with food Bier Central | Antwerp Catering Theme: various options, such as beer tastings, a tour on the ‘beer tram’, beer menus, … Address: De Keyserlei 25-27, 2018 Antwerp - www.antwerpcatering.com Frituur Oud België Theme: customized workshop. Can be combined with a beer seminar. Address: Statiestraat 20, 2018 Antwerp - www.oudbelgie.com
Places to drink De Vagant What to discover: a unique jenever bar with a small jenever museum. Address: Reyndersstraat 25, 2000 Antwerp - www.devagant.be ‘t Pakhuis Brewery What to discover: the brewing process of Huisbrouwerij ‘t Pakhuis’ beers. Address: Vlaamse Kaai 76, 2000 Antwerp - www.huisbrouwerijpakhuis.be
Places to discover Sanguisorba What to discover: small-scale herb farm, where you can even pick your own herbs and vegetables. Address: Broechemlei 95, 2520 Ranst (a 15 minute drive from the Antwerp city centre) www.sanguisorba.be
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More? www.mastersoftasteinantwerp.be
Benjamin Laborie (31) Bowery Brussels Capital Region Chaussée de Louvain 650, 1030 Schaarbeek (Brussels)
I want to act as a link between the terroir and the people who work hard every day to deliver their best products to me.
(4 km from Brussels) Type of cuisine Inventive, pure and aesthetic product-based cuisine with perfect combinations of flavour, colour and texture. Story of the chef Benjamin Laborie is a French chef who has been working in Belgium for just four years but is now one of the rising stars of Belgian cuisine. He worked for top chefs Michel Gueard and Michel Bras for 6 years and, like his mentors, has a particular preference for vegetables. Facts • GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: lunch 70 to 80, dinner 40 • Groups: 15 to 20 people • Price range: €40-65 How to get there Bus: Schaarbeek Lebrun stop Metro: Meiser stop Places to stay 322 Lambermont Hotel, Boulevard Lambermont 322 in Schaarbeek, www.lambermonthotels.com. (2 km to the restaurant) Gresham Belson Hotel, Chaussée de Louvain 805 in Evere, www.gresham-hotels-brussels.com. (13 minute walk)
Markt XI Bowery
www.markt11.be || www.bowery.be
Don’t miss In the Cinquantenaire Park, 3 km away, you will find some of Brussels’ top attractions: the Cinquantenaire Museum of Art and History, the Air Museum, the Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History and Autoworld. From the top of the arch, you also have a magnificent view of the city.
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Intelligent flavours, passion and skill. That’s what it’s all about!
Benny Van Torre (28) Markt XI West Flanders Driftweg 11 8420 De Haan (110 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Contemporary, intelligent Flemish product-based cuisine. Story of the chef Benny Van Torre was brought up in a fishing family, trained as a butcher and learnt his trade from the best chefs in Belgium. This unique education has made him a master of all techniques. Facts • Michelin: 2 forks and spoons | GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 20 • Groups: 5 to 10 people • Price range: €60 three-course menu
How to get there Train station: Ostend Tram: coastal tram to the centre of de Haan (restaurant near tram stop) Places to stay Grand Hotel Belle Vue, (close to restaurant) www.hotelbellevue.be or www.dekust.be
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Markt XI
| www.markt11.be
Nearest city Ostend Don’t miss Koffie Kan, Kerkstraat 84, Wenduine, www.koffiekan.be. The most famous coffee roaster on the coast famous for its easily digestible coffee.
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Bernard Dewitte (28)
I love Mediterranean cuisine. But with a down-to-earth Flemish approach.
Benoit en Bernard Dewitte East Flanders Beertegemstraat 52 9570 Zingem (65 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Creative, rustic cuisine with a Provençal twist. Story of the chef The Dewitte brothers serve modern, rustic cuisine and they even have their own herb garden. The high quality of their basic ingredients, sophisticated flavours and textures are their trademark. Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listing: 16/20 • Number of covers: 35 • Groups: up to 20 people • Price range: average €65
How to get there Train station: Oudenaarde Bus: De Lijn 485 Belbus Zingem - Oudenaarde Places to stay Hof de Mote, Kallestraat 2 in Huise (Zingem) (2 km to the restaurant), www.hofdemote.be
Benoit en Bernard Dewitte
| www.benoitdewitte.be
Nearest city Oudenaarde Don’t miss You can experience and win the Tour of Flanders in the reality museum of the Centre Ronde van Vlaanderen at Oudenaarde- www.crvv.be
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Are Flemings bon viveurs? If it means that they love the best ingredients and full flavours, I agree.
Broes Tavernier (31) ’t Vijfde Seizoen East Flanders Stationsstraat 9 9880 Aalter (72 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Light, fresh dishes with intense flavours and a lot of depth. Story of the chef Broes Tavernier took his time before opening his own restaurant, after working in some of the best restaurants. Today, he presents a classic, no-frills cuisine. Facts • Michelin: 2 forks and spoons | GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 50 • Groups: up to 50 people • Price range: €70
How to get there Train station: Aalter (15 minute walk) Places to stay B&B Apollonia, Tieltsesteenweg 49 in Aalter (3 km to the restaurant), www.apollonia-bb.be Best Western Hotel Orchidee, Aard 1 in Aalter (15 minute walk), www.hotelorchidee.be
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‘t Vijfde Seizoen
| www.tvijfdeseizoen.com
Nearest city Ghent Don’t miss Distillery Filliers, Leernsesteenweg 3 , Deinze, www.filliers.be. One of the most famous jenever distilleries in Flanders, established in 1880.
Flemish kitchen
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Food in the city of Bruges
What to buy, do and discover as a foodie. The chefs share a few tips with you:
As a foodie in Bruges you have to buy Chocolate: Bruges has 50 creative craft chocolatiers. There are also 120 outlets in Bruges where you can buy chocolate and pralines. Several restaurants use chocolate in their menus and of course you must visit the ‘Choco Story’ chocolate museum during your visit to Bruges.
Places to shop for great food BbyB What to buy: Tasteful masterpieces in chocolate. Exclusive creations by celebrity chef Bart De Smidt Address: Sint-Amandsstraat 39, 8000 Bruges - www.bbyb.be
Places to work with food Choco-Story Theme: ‘make your own praline’ workshops for groups of min. 8 to max. 24 people. You will also be given a tour of the chocolate museum and can try some chocolate. Address: Wijnzakstraat 2, 8000 Bruges - www.choco-story.be
Places to drink Brugs Beertje A special beer house in the heart of the city. This pub with over 300 beers is famous among beer lovers the world over. Address: Kemelstraat 5, 8000 Bruges - www.brugsbeertje.be
Places to discover Frietmuseum The only museum in the world dedicated to fries. Address: Vlamingstraat 33, 8000 Bruges - www.frietmuseum.be Fine dining Bruges has no less than fourteen Michelin stars for 117,134 inhabitants or twelve stars per 100,000 inhabitants. This means that Bruges scores higher than top gastronomic destinations such as Tokyo and San Sebastian. Paris, New York, Copenhagen,… are even further behind!
More? www.brugge.be
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Here it’s not “the man in the kitchen and the woman front of house”. We create our own dishes together, as a team.
Damien Bouchéry (35) Bouchery Brussels Capital Region Chaussée d’Alsemberg 812 A 1180 Uccle (Brussels) (6 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Ethical and creative product-based cuisine with the emphasis on edible wild plants. Story of the chef Every day, 8 to 9 months a year, Damien and his wife Bénédicte pick fresh wild plants that they combine with regional products. This means that the dishes change daily depending on what’s available. Facts • GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 36 • Groups: up to 46 people • Price range: €35 lunch, €60 dinner
How to get there Train station: Uccle-Kalevoet or Brussels South and then public transport Bus: Rittweger stop Places to stay Hotel Be Manos, Square de l’Aviation 23-27 in Anderlecht, www.bemanos.com. Designer boutique hotel. 5 km from the restaurant.
Bouchery
| www.bouchery-restaurant.be
Don’t miss The Sonian Forest, the largest forest in Belgium, five kilometres from Bouchery. www.zonienwoud.be
Davy Schellemans (33) Veranda Province of Antwerp Guldenvliesstraat 60 2600 Berchem (50 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Impulsive, fresh, seasonal cuisine with a dash of rock ‘n roll. Story of the chef At Davy Schellemans’ restaurant you can expect a unique eating experience with a strong retro feel. His five-course menu for €45 is a big hit in and around Antwerp. It’s recommended that you book well ahead. Facts • Michelin: 1 fork and spoon | GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 24 • Groups: 5 to 10 people • Price range: €45 menu
How to get there Train station: Antwerp-Berchem (200m walk to Veranda) Bus from Antwerp Central (Rooseveltplaats): line 32 direction Edegem or line 21 direction Neerland Metro from Antwerp Central: line 9 direction Eksterlaar Places to stay Abondance, Cogels-Osylei 3 in Berchem, www.abondance-logies.be, 6 minute walk. Guest rooms in impressive Art Nouveau style.
Veranda
For me ‘good food’ is not too complicated or technical but made with love.
Nearest city Antwerp Don’t miss Domestic, Steenbokstraat 37 in Antwerp, www.domeweb.be. This is the bakery and grocery of the restaurants Dôme and Dôme sur Mer. On the shelves you’ll find authentic loaves, baguettes and croissants and classic, plain cakes with no frills.
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dish of chef Koen Verjans - Innesto
Dennis Broeckx (30)
Keep it simple not plain. In the end it’s just food.
L’Epicerie du Cirque Antwerp Volkstraat 23 2000 Antwerpen (Antwerp) (43 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Fresh, contemporary product-based cuisine focussing in particular on the use of vegetables and herbs. Story of the chef Dennis Broeckx regularly goes off travelling and cooking. The skills he acquires form a source of inspiration for his dishes. Facts • Michelin: 1 fork and spoon | GM listing: 13/20 • Number of covers: 44 • Groups: up to 20 people • Price range: €27.50 three-course lunch, €45 four-course menu How to get there Train station: Antwerp-Central Metro from Antwerp-Central: line 5 and 9 direction Linkeroever Metro from Rooseveltplaats: line 12 direction Groenplaats Places to stay B&B Rosier10, Rosier 10 in Antwerp, www.rosier10.be, 8 minute walk. Atmospheric guest rooms. Hotel O, Leopold de Waelplaats 34 in Antwerp, www.hotelhotelo.be, 5 minute walk.
L’Epicerie du Cirque
| www.lepicerieducirque.be
Don’t miss • Koffiebars Caffénation, Mechelsesteenweg 16 in Antwerp, www.caffenation.be • Normo, Minderbroedersrui 30 in Antwerp. www.normocoffee.com. Trendy coffee bars are shooting up all over Antwerp. These are two of Dennis Broeckx’s favourites.
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Food in the city of Brussels
What to buy, do and discover as a foodie. The chefs share a few tips with you:
As a foodie in Brussels you have to buy: There’s hardly any delicacy in the world that you won’t find in Brussels. Of course, there are plenty of Brussels specialities too. Besides chocolate, beer, chips, waffles and of course “stoemp” (like bubble and squeak), you can also try “pottekeis”, “ettekeis” or Brussels cheese, snails, “bloempanch”, half&half, mussels, “speculoos” (spiced biscuits) and “pain à la grecque”.
Places to shop for great food Maison Dandoy What to buy: The most famous biscuit maker in Brussels where you will find genuine “pain à la grecque” among other treats. Address: Rue au Beurre 31, 1000 Brussels – www.maisondandoy.com Cremerie de Linkebeek What to buy: The oldest cheese shop in Brussels offers an endless variety of products from Belgium and farther afield in an authentic setting. Address: Rue du Vieux Marché aux Grains 4, 1000 Brussels
Places to work with food Mmmmh Theme: A wide programme of cookery classes: global cuisine, fine dining and the opportunity to invite a real top chef. Address: Chaussée de Charleroi 92, 1060 Saint-Gilles - www.mmmmh.be Zaabar Theme: Learn the art of chocolate! The workshops include tasting, courses and information sessions, all in a relaxed atmosphere. Address: Chaussée de Charleroi 125, 1060 Saint-Gilles - www.zaabar.com
Places to drink La Mort Subite A visit to this temple of Brussels specialities is an absolute must. Address: Rue Montagne aux herbes potagères 7, 1000 Brussels- www.alamortsubite.com Moeder Lambic What to discover: a bar for true beer lovers. In the top 10 best beer bars in the world. Address: Place Fontainas 8-10, 1000 Brussels - www.moederlambic.com
Places to discover Tram experience An extraordinary journey of discovery: a designer tram that takes 34 guests on a two-hour tour around the main sights of the city while they enjoy a fine menu! Info: www.visitbrussels.be/tramexperience Cantillon brewery Discover a fantastic brewing heritage unique in the world: one of the last authentic traditional breweries, whose setting has not changed for over a century. An exceptional experience with the aroma of Lambic wafting up from the vats. Address: Rue Gheude 56, 1070 Anderlecht – www.cantillon.be Cook & Book You can discover a bookshop and several restaurants here. Address: Place du Temps Libre 1, 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert - Info: www.cookandbook.be
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More? www.visitbrussels.be You are Foodies
Floris Panckoucke (27) Savarin West Flanders Albert I Promenade 75 8400 Oostende (Ostend) (115 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Innovation and generous (fish) cuisine. Story of the chef Floris Panckoucke didn’t just pay close attention when working for his previous employers, he has also put his experiences into practice. He serves exciting dishes made of fresh fish, seafood and selected Flemish regional products. Facts • Michelin: 3 forks and spoons | GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 50 • Groups: 20 people or more • Price range: €55 three-course menu
How to get there Train station: Ostend Bus: Line 1, 5 or 11 to Ostend Casino (restaurant is situated on the sea wall) Places to stay www.visitoostende.be
Savarin
| www.savarin.be
Dining out doesn’t always have to be expensive or stuffy, it can also be cosy, informal and trendy!
Don’t miss Head to Visserskaai and Vistrap at the Montgomerydok to get really fresh shrimp. Here only fisherman’s wives are allowed to peddle their wares.
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Frédéric Helsen (34) Helsen Province of Antwerp Pastorijstraat 27 2460 Kasterlee (100 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Light, pure cuisine using recognisable ingredients. Story of the chef Frédéric Helsen cooks like he talks. Nicely measured, balanced, controlled and with conviction. His signature is creating a harmonious, strong and subtly-flavoured whole using a few top ingredients.
What I love is pure and easy cooking, while using top ingredients.
How to get there Train station: Herentals or Turnhout Bus: line 305 direction Turnhout/Leuven Places to stay Hotel Noah, Lichtaartsebaan 51 in Kasterlee, www.noahhotel.be, 4 minute walk. Design, in the heart of the Antwerp Kempen. B&B De Casteleer, Pastorijstraat 38 in Kasterlee, www.decasteleer.be, 1 minute walk. Luxurious but cosy.
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Helsen
| www.restauranthelsen.be
Facts • Michelin: 2 forks and spoons | GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 32 • Groups: up to 32 people • Price range: three-course lunch with wine €47, three-course menu with wine €59
Nearest city Turnhout Don’t miss Puddings at Vleeswaren Vandecruys, Vaartstraat 42 in Geel or at Turnhoutsebaan 21 in Kasterlee, www.slagerijvandecruys.be. The Vandecruys butcher’s shop’s white and black puddings are recognised regional products. Four generations of butchers have made these puddings.
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Frederik Deceuninck (31)
My dishes are a modern version of grandmother’s cooking.
Sel Gris West Flanders Zeedijk 314 8301 Duinbergen (Knokke-Heist) (115 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Product-based cuisine with flavour and respect. Story of the chef Frederik Deceuninck likes to bring back forgotten classics, serving them up in a new way, lighter than before and with more flavour. The restaurant is in a unique location with sea views. Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listing: 15/20 • Number of covers: 45 • Groups: up to 10 people • Price range: €60 lunch all-in, €90 four-course menu with wine
Nearest city Knokke How to get there Train station: Heist (15 minutes walk) Tram: coastal tram to Duinbergen Kerk stop Places to stay www.dekust.be
Sel Gris
| www.restaurantselgris.be
Don’t miss Marie Siska, Zoutelaan 177 in Knokke-Heist, www.siska-marie.com. Fransisca Fincent’s heartshaped waffles have been world-famous in Knokke since 1882. The waffles have been made here according to the original recipe for four generations.
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Gastronomy is my passion and my whole life. I want to read all about it and taste as much as possible.
Gregory Schatteman (30) Schatteman West Flanders Kruisstraat 13 8020 Hertsberge (Oostkamp) (110 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Light dishes full of amazing flavours, highly sophisticated with lots of depth. Story of the chef Gregory Schatteman is very passionate about gastronomy in the widest sense. He keeps up with the latest innovations in international gastronomy while remaining open to what the great historic chefs have to offer. Facts • Michelin: 2 forks and spoons | GM listing: 15/20 • Number of covers: 36 • Groups: up to 25 people • Price range: €75 three-course menu all-in
How to get there Train station: Bruges station, then take a taxi to Hertsberge Bus: not accessible by public transport Places to stay www.visitbruges.be
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Schatteman
| www.restaurantschatteman.be
Nearest city Bruges Don’t miss De Olijfboom, Smedenstraat 58 in Bruges, www.deolijfboom.be. Jan Demonie was once crowned best amateur chef in Belgium. In his shop you will find a treasure trove of specialities and exclusive products, including 250 unique and exclusive wines.
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Food in the city of Ghent
What to buy, do and discover as a foodie. The chefs share a few tips with you:
As a foodie in Ghent you have to buy Tierenteyn mustard, since 1790 the hottest mustard in Ghent! Cuberdons, raspberry sweets with a runny centre Roomer, an aperitif based on elderflowers
Places to shop for great food Tierenteyn-Verlent What to buy: you can get genuine Ghent mustard from Tierenteyn in the shop on the Groentenmarkt Address: Groentenmarkt 3, 9000 Ghent - www.tierenteyn-verlent.be Groot Vleeshuis What to buy: all delicacies from East Flanders Address: Groentenmarkt 7, 9000 Ghent - www.grootvleeshuis.be
Places to work with food Culinary workshops and tastings Theme: culinary workshops (e.g. chocolate) in a medieval cellar. Address: Hoogpoort 31, 9000 Ghent - www.atelierplus.be
Places to drink Simon Says What to discover: Breakfast, lunch and coffee house with drawings by artist Panamarenko on the walls. Address: Sluizeken 8, 9000 Ghent - www.simon-says.be ’t Dreupelkot What to discover: Over 200 varieties of jenever, including several home-made ones. Address: Groentenmarkt 12, 9000 Ghent - www.dreupelkot.be Mokabon What to discover: coffee house that has roasted its own coffee since 1937 Address: Donkersteeg 35, 9000 Ghent - www.mokabon.be
Places to discover Stadsbrouwerij Gruut What to discover: Gruut city brewery, situated in the heart of Ghent, is unique because it uses a mixture of herbs instead of hops as an ingredient. Address: Grote Huidevettershoek 10, 9000 Ghent - www.gruut.be
More? www.visitgent.be
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Hilaire Spreeuwers (35) BitterZoet Limburg Houthalenseweg 105 3520 Zonhoven (82 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Inventive Belgian beer-based cuisine using regional products. Story of the chef Hilaire Spreeuwers and his wife Sofie have a passion for beer. This is actually the only fine dining restaurant with no wine list, but 100 or so beer recommendations.
I seek the perfect symbiosis between beer and gastronomy.
How to get there Train station: Zonhoven Bus: line 2, 13, 18a and 22 Places to stay B&B De Zwarte Bloemkool, Wildrozenstraat 1 in Houthalen (3 km to the restaurant), www.dezwartebloemkool.be
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BitterZoet
| www.bitter-zoet.be
Facts • Number of covers: 30 • Groups: up to 10 people • Price range: €74 three-course menu with beer
Nearest city Hasselt Don’t miss Wilderen brewery and distillery, Wilderenlaan 8 in Wilderen (Sint-Truiden). The centuries-old Wilderen brewery and distillery, dating from 1642, was given a new lease of life in 2011. Three beers are brewed here, and two distillates. A whisky will be added shortly.
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Jan Supply (30) Deauville East Flanders Bloemenlaan 1 9690 Kluisbergen (64 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Refined Flemish product-based cuisine focussing on intensity of flavour. Story of the chef Jan Supply is totally representative of modern Flemish gastronomy. He takes no notice of trends, seeking pure products instead. With fresh, crisp touches, he adds some twists. Facts • Michelin: 2 forks and spoons | GM listing: 15/20 • Number of covers: 45 • Groups: up to 50 people • Price range: three-course menu with wine €54
How to get there Train station: Oudenaarde Bus: bus 65 Oudenaarde-Avelgem Places to stay Auberge l’Entrecôte, Pontstraat 39 in Kluisbergen (15 minute walk), www.auberge-lentrecote.be
Deauville
| www.restaurantdeauville.be
Local producers and small-scale farmers are my allies.
Nearest city Ronse and Oudenaarde (both 10 km away) Don’t miss Brewery Liefmans, Aalststraat 200 in Oudenaarde, www.liefmans.be. Unique brewery with mixed fermentation beers in open vats. Best known for its Liefmans Goudenband and Liefmans Cuvée-Brut made with fresh cherries.
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What I like best in the kitchen is arranging the food on the plates. I’ve taken up painting. Now the food must look like a picture.
Jan Tournier (32) Cuchara Limburg Lepelstraat 3 3920 Lommel (122 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Contemporary cuisine with original combinations and flavours. Story of the chef Jan Tournier is constantly looking for combinations that you won’t find on the menu everywhere, for flavours you won’t taste everywhere. But above all he aims for simplicity. Facts • GM listing: 13/20 • Number of covers: 30 • Groups: up to 30 people • Price range: three-course menu with wine €35
How to get there Train station: Lommel Places to stay Casa Ciolina, Zavelstraat 17 in Peer (15 km to the restaurant), www.casaciolina.be Center Parcs Vossemeren, Elzen 145 in Lommel (5 km to the restaurant), www.centerparcs.be
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Cuchara
| www.cuchara.be
Don’t miss Catharinadal cheese makers, Catharinadal 5 in Hamont-Achel, www.catharinadal.be. Catharinadal is the producer of the now famous cheese Achelse Blauwe, the world’s best blue cheese. Around 140 different cheeses are made here, along with 70 or so other dairy products.
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Jason Blanckaert (33)
I prepare food, not quotes.
J.E.F. East Flanders Lange Steenstraat 10 9000 Gent (Ghent) (54 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Modern dishes from folk cuisine. Story of the chef Jason Blanckaert is the third member of the group of friends The Flemish Foodies to open a restaurant in Ghent. Olly Ceulenaere and Kobe Desramaults preceded him. Facts • Number of covers: 34 • Groups: up to 6 people • Price range: average €70
How to get there Train station: Gent-Sint-Pieters Tram: line 1 direction Flanders Expo or line 4 direction Zwijnaardeburg Places to stay B&B De Waterzooi, Sint-Veerleplein 2 in Ghent (3 minute walk), www.dewaterzooi.be
J.E.F.
| www.j-e-f.be
Don’t miss Jiggers, the Noble Drugstore, Oudburg 16 in Ghent, www.jiggers.be. Olivier Jacob has been voted ‘best barman in Belgium’ two years in a row. He finds supposedly forgotten cocktails in old books and gives them a new lease of life.
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I try to make the best with simple classic dishes, adding a modern touch.
Julie Baekelandt (28) Brasserie Vinois East Flanders Ph. De Denterghemlaan 31 9831 Deurle (Sint-Martens-Latem) (60 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Bistronomy at its best with classics from Belgian cuisine. Story of the chef Julie Baekelandt cherishes the classics of Belgian cuisine, serving dishes like tomatoes stuffed with grey shrimps, home-made sweetbread croquettes and Flemish stew. Facts • Michelin: 1 fork and spoon | GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 70 • Groups: up to 35 people • Price range: €55
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How to get there Train station: Gent-Sint-Pieters Bus: line 34 direction Sint-Martens-Latem - De Pinte
Nearest city Ghent
Places to stay In ’t Boldershof, Dorpsstraat 37 in Deurle (SintMartens-Latem) (7 minute wal), www.boldershof.com Auberge Du Pêcheur, Pontstraat 41 in Sint-MartensLatem (9 minute walk), www.auberge-du-pecheur.be
Don’t miss De Zwarte Vos, Dorpstraat 76 in Astene (Deinze), www.dezwartevos.be. Belgian Chocolate Ambassador Bart van Cauwenberghe has put his all into his job, even buying his own cocoa plantation in Trinidad.
Brasserie Vinois
| www.brasserie-vinois.com
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Food in the city of HASSELT
What to buy, do and discover as a foodie. The chefs share a few tips with you:
As foodie in Hasselt you have to buy Speculaas (Ginger cookie); Hasselt Jenever; Chocolate; Herkenrode and Jessenhofke beer; Herkenrode liqueur: honey, elderflower and blackthorn liqueur.
Places to shop for great food Smaakwinkel (= Hasselt tourist information office) What to buy: all Hasselt food icons (e.g. Hasselt Speculaas, Hasselt Jenever, Chocolate) Address: Maastrichterstraat 59, 3500 Hasselt - www.hasselt.eu Boon What to buy: homemade pralines, chocolates and unique ornamental pieces in chocolate. Chocolate workshops also available. Address: Paardsdemerstraat 13, 3500 Hasselt - www.thechocolateexperience.be
Places to work with food National Jenever Museum Theme: tasting with chocolate and Hasselt Jenever Address: Witte Nonnenstraat 19, 3500 Hasselt - www.jenevermuseum.be
Places to drink Sky Lounge What to discover: bar on the top floor of Hotel Radisson Blu Hasselt, with a 360° panaromic view. Address: Torenstraat 8, 3500 Hasselt - www.radissonblu.be/hotel-hasselt Het Hemelrijk What to discover: Pub with more than 400 different beers. Address: Hemelrijk 11, 3500 Hasselt Het Smaaksalon What to discover: Bistro/restaurant with a large variety of ‘Limburg’ products Address: Maastrichterstraat 61, 3500 Hasselt - www.smaaksalon.be
Places to discover Happetijtje What to discover: You make a walk through the city and can discover the chocolate, jenever & speculaas at different authentic places during your walking route. Info: www.hasselt.eu Wissels Wissels Grain Distillery Address: Normandiëstraat 12–14, 3500 Hasselt -www.stokerijwissels.be Herkenrode Abbey What to discover: Beautifully restored abbey site with a multimedia experience centre and vast herbal and inspiration gardens. In the café you can taste the abbey beer Herkenrode. Address: Herkenrodeabdij 4, 3511 Hasselt – Kuringen - www.abdijsiteherkenrode.be
More? www.hasselt.eu
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Ken Verschueren (34) De Tuinkamer Province of Antwerp Hoogstraat 72 2580 Putte (49 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Mix of traditional dishes with modern structures and touches. Story of the chef Ken Verschueren has set up his restaurant on the first floor of Het Broodhuys bakery. Home-grown organic vegetables and herbs feature prominently in his cooking. In 2011, just two years after he opened his restaurant, he was awarded his first Michelin star.
I’m always hungry for more.
How to get there Train station: Heist-op-den-Berg Bus: line 510 and 511 direction Mechelen Places to stay B&B Hullebrug, Bevelsesteenweg 101 in Heist-opden-Berg (10 km to the restaurant), www.hullebrug.be. Rural location in a former farm.
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De Tuinkamer
| www.detuinkamer-broodhuys.be
Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listing: 16/20 • Number of covers: 38 • Groups: up to 40 people • Price range: lunch with wine €58, five-course menu with wine €124
Nearest city Lier Don’t miss Lierse Vlaaikes: over 300 years’ old and probably the oldest regional bakery product in the province of Antwerp. They can only be bought from the 8 bakers in Lier who are members of the Order of the Liers Vlaaike. www.toerismelier.be.
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Kobe Desramaults (34) In De Wulf and De Vitrine West Flanders and East Flanders In De Wulf: Wulvestraat 1, 8950 Heuvelland (Dranouter) De Vitrine: Brabantdam 134, 9000 Gent (Ghent) (In De Wulf: 131 km from Brussels, De Vitrine: 54 km from Brussels) Type of cuisine Modern terroir cuisine refined to the essentials. Story of the chef Kobe Desramault’s restaurant in Heuvelland is based in the area in which he grew up. He is guided by nature, by wild herbs, by products from local farmers and growers. His cuisine grows organically depending on what’s available. Facts • Michelin | GM listing: In De Wulf: 1 star | 18.5/20 De Vitrine: 1 fork and spoon | 14/20 • Other international awards: GM Chef of the Year 2013 • Number of covers: In De Wulf: 40 | De Vitrine: 28 • Groups: In De Wulf: during the week up to 15 people, weekends up to 8 | De Vitrine: up to 8 people • Price range: In De Wulf: small tasting menu with wine €165 | De Vitrine: lunch €45, dinner €60
My dishes have to be ‘authentic’ above all, sometimes shocking, sometimes gentle, just natural.
How to get there In De Wulf: Train station: Poperinge or Bailleul (France). From these stations take a taxi to the restaurant. De Vitrine: Train station: Gent-Dampoort Bus: line 70 direction Oostakker-Gent-Zwijnaarde or line 77 direction Beervelde-Lochristi-Gent
Nearest city Poperinge (In De Wulf) and Ghent (De Vitrine)
Places to stay In De Wulf (own hotel), Wulvestraat 1 in Dranouter ApartGent, Zuidstationstraat 23 in Ghent, www.apartgent.be. Luxury apartments for business and tourism (2 minute walk).
Don’t miss Den Blinker, Hillestraat 2 in Dranouter, www.denblinker.be. Hans Renders and Sue Smith’s herb farm is right near In de Wulf.
In De Wulf and De Vitrine
| www.indewulf.be and www.de-vitrine.be
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A day without cooking is a day without living.
Koen Verjans (29) Innesto Limburg Grote Baan 9 3530 Houthalen (82 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Young, fresh, fun product-based cuisine. Story of the chef Koen Verjans focuses heavily on ingredients and creates a rich cuisine with a mix of subtle and balanced flavours. Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 55 • Groups: up to 60 people • Price range: €75 three-course menu all-in, €110 tasting menu
How to get there Train station: Hasselt Bus: Line 18a direction Houthalen Places to stay Hotel De Barrier (Own hotel), Grote Baan 9 in Houthalen, www.debarrier.be
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Innesto
| www.innesto.be
Nearest city Hasselt Don’t miss Ter Dolen brewery, Eikendreef 21 in Helchteren www.terdolen.be. Ter Dolen is a medieval castle with a farm housing a modern brewery. Four abbey beers are brewed there: Ter Dolen Blond, Dark, Tripel and Kriek.
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Kristof Marannes (31)
I learned to cook with precision at my mother’s knee.
Ter Leepe West Flanders Torhoutsesteenweg 168 8210 Zedelgem (120 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Modern dishes, sophisticated and subtly presented. Story of the chef Kristof Marannes took over this classic old restaurant and immediately began modernising it. With an inventive, balanced cuisine, playing with contrasting flavours and structures, he creates freshness and purity on the plate. Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listing: 15/20 • Number of covers: 40 • Groups: up to 40 people • Price range: three-course menu with wine €75
Nearest city Bruges How to get there Train station: Bruges station Bus: De Lijn 72 to Zedelgem Places to stay Fleur de Lys, Torhoutsesteenweg 66 in Zedelgem (20 minute walk), www.hotelfleurdelys.be
Ter Leepe
| www.terleepe.be
Don’t miss Mosterd Wostyn, Conscienceplein 7 in Torhout, T:+ 32 (0)50 21 23 00. For five generations, Wostyn mustard has been making eyes water and noses twitch. The single Wostyn mustard variety is sold in its old-fashioned shop next to the old Courthouse. You should also visit the mustard museum.
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Lesley De Vlieger (34) Terborght Flemish Brabant Oud Dorp 16 1654 Huizingen (Beersel) (15 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Pure, creative cuisine with recognisable ingredients.
I’m the son of greengrocers. My parents taught me how to choose the best products.
Story of the chef Lesley is an enthusiastic chef who carefully selects super-fresh top ingredients from Belgium and further afield. Lovers of fish and seafood will find particularly rich dishes here. Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listing: 16/20 • Number of covers: 50 • Groups: up to 100 people • Price range: three-course lunch with wine €58, three-course menu with wine €74
How to get there Train station: Halle or Lot Bus: At Halle station: Lijnbus 154 (direction Anderlecht Het Rad), get off at ‘Huizingen Kerk’ stop and walk a further 200m. At Lot station: Lijnbus 154 (direction Halle AZ Sint-Maria), get off at ‘Huizingen Kerk’ stop and walk a further 200m. Nearest city Halle
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Terborght
| www.terborght.be
Places to stay B&B Gusto, Henri Devedeleerstraat 8, 1501 Buizingen, www.gustobnb.be Don’t miss De 3 Fonteinen, Hoogstraat 2A in Beersel. www.3fonteinen.be. Geuze is the oldest beer in the world but was dying out. Lambic brewer Armand Debelder has put geuze back on the map and made drinking it hip.
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Food in the city of Leuven
What to buy, do and discover as a foodie. The chefs share a few tips with you:
As a foodie in Leuven you have to buy Leuven is the place to be for beer lovers, housing the largest brewing company in the world, AB Inbev. Yet you should also taste the aperitif beers from Brouwerij De Vlier and Brouwerij Kortrijk-Dutsel, brewn at a stone’s throw from Leuven. www.brouwerij-devlier.com and www.brouwerijkortrijkdutsel.be Liqueur, Musa Lova: Traditional banana liqueur based on local products. Leuven is the banana capital with the largest banana collection in the world managed by KU Leuven. www.musalova.com Chardonnay Meerdael, a sparkling blanc de blanc wine, made at 10km from Leuven. www.chardonnaymeerdael.be
Places to shop for great food Zaterdagmarkt What to buy: Friendly weekly market on Saturday with artisan and local products. Address: pedestrian zone of Brusselsestraat, 3000 Leuven. Traditional butcher’s shop Rondou What to buy: Rondou is famous for its traditional meat and fine range of regional products. Address: Pensstraat 5, 3000 Leuven - www.beenhouwerijrondou.be
Places to work with food Cameleon events Workshop: foodmatching with Belgian Beers Theme: Get to experiment with ideal combinations of beer and food and discover which ingredients go best with five different beers. Address: Vaartkom 41, 3000 Leuven - www.cameleon-events.be M-Café Beer tasting Theme: Get to know the Belgian beer culture and taste five original beers with an accompanying explanation. Address: Savoyestraat 10, 3000 Leuven - www.museumcafe.be
Places to drink Metafoor A beer café with a cosy vintage feel where the seven taps serve the best artisan beers from the keg. Address: Parijsstraat 34, 3000 Leuven - Open from 11 am till whenever, seven days a week. No website, tel: +32(0)496 25 44 65 Domus inn-brewery Three homemade beers flow directly from the brewery via a ‘pipeline’ to the tap installation of Domus. Try the three Domus beers served in a wooden rack. Address: Tiensestraat 227, 3000 Leuven -www.domusleuven.be
Places to discover Stella Artois Brewery Discover the biggest brewery in the world. You learn about the brewing process at the impressive mash tuns and see the lightning-fast bottling of bottles and cans. The visit concludes with a refreshing tasting in the ‘Den Thuis’ bar. Address: Vuurkruisenlaan, 3000 Leuven Website for information on visiting the brewery: www.leuven.be/beercapital
More? www.visitleuven.be and www.leuven.be/beercapital
The business of eating and cooking is unending, it never stops.
Michael Vrijmoed (33) Vrijmoed East Flanders Vlaanderenstraat 22 9000 Gent (Ghent) (54 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Contemporary product-based cuisine with respect for craft and tradition. Story of the chef Michael Vrijmoed was Peter Goossens’ right-hand man at Hof Van Cleve (***) for 8 years before opening his own restaurant in March 2013. He describes his own restaurant as “good food at a good price”. Facts • Number of covers: 35 • Price range: three-course menu with wine €55
How to get there Train station: Gent-Sint-Pieters Bus: line 71 or 72 direction Oostakker Places to stay Alphabed, Jan Palfijnstraat 26 in Ghent (5 minute walk), www.alphabed.be Marriott Hotel, Korenlei 10 in Ghent (10 minute walk), www.marriottghent.be
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Vrijmoed
| www.vrijmoed.be
Don’t miss Joost Arijs, Vlaanderenstraat 24 in Ghent, www.joostarijs.be. Joost Arijs is Vrijmoed’s neighbour and was a pastry-chef for Peter Goossens. He makes fine, elegant tarts with amazing flavours and textures.
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Olly Ceulenaere (34) Ghent is really dynamic, I feel like anything could happen here.
Volta (until 12/2013) and De Avonden (from 12/2013) East Flanders Volta: Nieuwe Wandeling 2b, 9000 Gent (Ghent) De Avonden: Ham 39, 9000 Gent (Ghent) (55 km from Brussels) Type of cuisine Refined brasserie-style cuisine based on pure products, in particular vegetables. Story of the chef Olly Ceulenaere was inspired by new Paris brasseries such as Le Chateaubriand and Frenchie that interpret the classic brasserie style in an unusual, modern way. In December 2013, he will move to his own restaurant in Ghent. Facts • Michelin: 1 fork and spoon | GM listing: 14/20 • International awards: GM best vegetable restaurant in Benelux 2013 • Number of covers: 40 • Groups: up to 25 people • Price range: lunch €25, dinner €63 How to get there Train station: De Avonden: Gent-Dampoort (10 minute walk) Volta: Gent-Sint-Pieters Tram: line 4 direction Gentbrugge-Moscou (to Volta) Places to stay Snooz Inn, Ham 89 in Ghent, www.snoozinn.be. Designer B&B.
Volta (until 12/2013) and De Avonden (from 12/2013)
Don’t miss Geers local beer specialist, Ledergemstraat 7 in Oostakker, www.drankengeers.be. Dranken Geers has one of the most extensive collections of Belgian local beers.
| www.volta-gent.be
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Use what you have, not what you want.
Pieter Lonneville (34) Tête Pressée West Flanders Koningin Astridlaan 100 8200 Sint-Michiels (100 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Recognisable Belgian cuisine. Story of the chef Tête Pressée is made up of a food shop and a restaurant arranged around an open kitchen. Pieter has a limited menu that changes almost every day depending on what’s available at the market. Facts • GM listing: 13/20 • Number of covers: 30 • Groups: up to 10 people • Price range: three-course menu with wine €55
Nearest city Bruges How to get there Train station: Bruges Bus: Line 25 to Sint-Michiels Places to stay www.visitbruges.be
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Tête Pressée
| www.tetepressee.be
Don’t miss Oud Huis Deman, Vuldersstraat 42 in Bruges, www.oudhuisdeman.be. Since 1880, Bruges achten (pretzels), kletskoppen (lace biscuits), Greek bread, almond bread and rusks have been baked the traditional way at Oud Huis Deman.
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Reinout Reniere (30) Zeno West Flanders Vlamingstraat 53 8000 Brugge (Bruges)
With vegetables, herbs and products from the local farms, I follow the seasons.
(100 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Contemporary artistic terroir cuisine based on vegetables and herbs. Story of the chef Reinout Reniere illustrates his quest for top ingredients, special flavours and preparations with exciting combinations in which he captures pure flavours and aromas. Facts • Michelin: 3 forks and spoons | GM listing: 16/20 • Number of covers: 36 • Price range: €55, market menu with wine €79, seasonal menu on Saturdays with wine €93
How to get there Train station: Bruges station Bus: Line 3 or 13 to Bruges Market (300 metres from the restaurant) Places to stay www.visitbruges.be
Zeno
| www.restaurantzeno.be
Don’t miss Cambrinus, Philipstockstraat 19 in Bruges, www.cambrinus.eu. Brasserie with over 400 beers and excellent beer-based cuisine.
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Seppe Nobels (31) Graanmarkt 13 Antwerp Graanmarkt 13 2000 Antwerpen (Antwerp) (45 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Light, healthy, seasonal cuisine with respect for the product. Story of the chef Seppe Nobels worked abroad for several years and thinks that Flemings should sing the praises of their fantastic regional products more. As of spring 2013, he grows vegetables and herbs in the enclosed garden and on the roof of his restaurant.
Enjoyable, but different.
Facts • Michelin: 2 forks and spoons | GM listing: 13/20 • Number of covers: 50 (in the summer: +50 on the terrace and in the garden) • Groups: up to 50 people • Price range: three-course menu with wine €74
How to get there Train station: Antwerp-Central Metro from Antwerp-Central: line 9 and 15 direction Linkeroever Places to stay Hotel Les Nuits, Lange Gasthuisstraat 12 in Antwerp, www.hotellesnuits.be, 4 minute walk. Boutique hotel. Hotel Julien, Korte Nieuwstraat 24 in Antwerp, www.hotel-julien.com, 10 minute walk. Highly unique, small-scale hotel.
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Graanmarkt 13
| www.graanmarkt13.be
Don’t miss Criée, Van Schoonhovestraat in Antwerp. The Criée is the over 105-year old covered market hall in Antwerp’s Chinatown. Here you will find the only remaining game butcher Van de Poel and top-quality butcher Vermeulen-Dom, both offering a superior range of fresh produce.
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Food in the city of MECHELEN
What to buy, do and discover as a foodie. The chefs share a few tips with you:
As a foodie in Mechelen you have to buy ‘Gouden Carolus Classic’ (world’s best dark beer 2012) or one of the many other top beers from Het Anker Brewery. Their beers have won prizes at many international beer competitions. Brouwerskaas ‘Mecheleir’, a brand-new cheese offered by Kaashandel Schockaert, a firm fixture in the city since 1915. Kaasaffineur, member of Slowfood Vlaanderen
Places to shop for great food Cheese shop Schockaert What to buy: craft cheeses, including the new Mecheleir cheese. Address: IJzerenleen 28, 2800 Mechelen - www.schockaert-kaas.be Bakery Vanderbeek What to buy: ‘Maneblussertjes’, chocolates and cookies shaped like men, referring to the legend that the people of Mechelen are famous for ‘trying to extinguish’ the moon. Also specialising in petit fours and many fine cakes. Address: Steenweg 36, 2800 Mechelen - www.vanderbeek.be
Places to work with food Sjolaa What to make: chocolate shapes, marzipan figures on various themes and seasons, e.g. Mechelse Maantjes. Address: Geerdegemvaart 137, 2800 Mechelen - www.sjolaa.be (website not in English, but workshops are)
Places to drink ‘t Ankertje What to discover: authentic bar and beer shop Address: Vismarkt 20, 2800 Mechelen - www.tankertje.be De Gouden Vis What to discover: relaxed place to be, for decades a permanent fixture of our cafe culture Address: Nauwstraat 7, 2800 Mechelen
Places to discover Brouwerij Het Anker What to discover: the brewing process and beers of the family brewery Address: Guido Gezellelaan 49, 2800 Mechelen - www.hetanker.be Het Anker whisky distillery (from 2014) What to discover: distillery for Gouden Carolus Single Malt, complete with shop, tasting room and tourist meeting point Address: Klaterstraat, 2830 Blaasveld (Willebroek), 10 minutes’ drive or 20 minutes by bike from the centre of Mechelen
More? toerisme.mechelen.be
Stefan Jacobs (24) Va Doux Vent Brussels Capital Region Rue des Carmélites 93 1180 Uccle (Brussels) (5 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Contemporary cuisine based on spices and seasonal products.
My personal touch? Spices that I blend according to the seasons!
How to get there Metro: Coghen or Vanderkindere stop Places to stay Pantone Hotel, Place Loix 1 in Brussels, www.pantonehotel.com. Highly colourful. 3 km to the restaurant.
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Va Doux Vent
| www.vadouxvent.be
Story of the chef Stefan Jacobs works with seasonal Belgian terroir ingredients, incorporating them in a modern way in amazingly balanced combinations with herbs and spices. Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listings: 14/20 • Number of covers: 25 • Groups: 6 to 25 people • Price range: €65
Nearest city Brussels Don’t miss Julien Hazard cheese refiner, Vanderkinderestraat 137 in Uccle, www.julienhazard.be. Extensive range of farm made cheeses. Glacier Zizi, Rue de la Mutualité 57a in Uccle, www.glacierzizi.be. The best ice cream in Brussels!
Steven Van Snick (33) De Verborgen Tuin East Flanders Gasthuisstraat 35 9500 Geraardsbergen (52 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Inventive regional fusion cuisine. Story of the chef Steven Van Snick is a driven chef with a constant eye for detail and innovation. His combinations are striking with their pure flavours, varied structures and precise cooking times.
I may be ambitious, but sitting still is not for me. I always want to be moving on.
Facts • GM listing: 13/20 • Number of covers: 40 • Groups: up to 20 people • Price range: €70
How to get there Train station: Geraardsbergen (5 minute walk) Places to stay B&B Casa Dodo, Nieuwstraat 12 in Geraardsbergen (8 minute walk), www.casadodo.be
De Verborgen Tuin
| www.deverborgentuin.be
Don’t miss Stokerij Van Damme, Issegem 2 in Balegem, www.stokerijvandamme.be. Stokerij Van Damme is the only farm/jenever distillery in Benelux that still grows the grain for the jenever itself. The methods have not changed since 1862.
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Discipline and perseverance are the basis of success.
Thierry Theys (28) Nuance Province of Antwerp Kiliaanstraat 6-8 2570 Duffel (42 km from Brussels) Type of cuisine Contemporary cuisine with pure flavours and distinctive harmony. Story of the chef When Thierry Theys’ restaurant opened in 2008, he soon managed to win over any critical diners with refined dishes in which he combines striking structures, textures and flavours. He is also the youngest two-star Michelin chef in Belgium. Facts • Michelin: 2 stars | GM listing: 17/20 • International awards: GM top young chef in 2010 • Number of covers: 40 • Groups: 35 people • Price range: €100 lunch with wine, €135, five-course menu with wine
How to get there Train station: Duffel Bus: line 550 and 555 direction Duffel-Lier, and line 52 and 53 direction Duffel-Hove-Berchem-Station Places to stay B&B Amaryllis, Hoogstraat 75 in Sint-KatelijneWaver (12 km to the restaurant), www.bb-amaryllis.be. Rural location. Aldhem Zimmerhof Hotel, Zimmerplein in Lier (8 km to the restaurant), www.zimmerhof.be. Modern interior, housed in a historic building.
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Nuance
| www.resto-nuance.be
Nearest city Lier Don’t miss J-Line Chocolates, Leopoldstraat 112 in Duffel, www.j-chocolates.be. Jitsk Heyninck has been making chocolate and patisserie since he was little and is really obsessed with the craft. He can make anything to order and is exceptionally creative.
Tim Boury (30)
Products must remain recognisable and taste like they are.
Boury West Flanders Diksmuidsesteenweg 53 8800 Roeselare (120 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Contemporary product-based cuisine with authentic flavours. Story of the chef Tim Boury is a chef who aims for a perfect balance between classic and cutting-edge cuisine. His dishes have an excellent balance of flavour and texture, well-matched combinations and great fresh touches. Facts • Michelin: 1 star | GM listing: 15/20 • Number of covers: 44 • Groups: up to 45 people • Price range: three-course menu with wine €59
How to get there Train station: Roeselare station Bus: Line 30 or 95 Places to stay R&Breakfast, Stationsdreef 151 in Roeselare (20 minute walk), www.rnbreakfast.be
Boury
| www.restaurantboury.be
Don’t miss Brouwerij Rodenbach, Spanjestraat 133 in Roeselare, www.rodenbach.be. Rodenbach is considered the mother of all Flemish Bourgogne beers, the reddishbrown mixed fermentation beers. The feeder room with the barrels as high as houses in which the beers mature is listed.
Flemish kitchen
rebels
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Keep it simple and cook with balance.
Wim Dejonghe (31) Het Land aan de Overkant Flemish Brabant Léon Schreursvest 85 3001 Leuven (28 km from Brussels)
Type of cuisine Nostalgic cuisine: old dishes created in a modern way. Story of the chef In the last few years, Wim Dejonghe has moved from complex cuisine to a simpler style of cooking that is more authentic and grown up. His hobbyhorse is seeking new cooking techniques to create maximum flavour. Facts • Michelin: 3 forks and spoons | GM listing: 14/20 • Number of covers: 40 • Groups: up to 20 people • Price range: lunch with wine €50, five-course menu with wine €73
How to get there Train station: Leuven (1 km walk from the restaurant) Bus: at the station Lijnbus 284 (direction Leuven), 616 (direction Zaventem) or 630 (direction Haasrode) Places to stay Lodging at 8, Weldadigheidsstraat 8, 3000 Leuven (9 minute walk), www.lodgingat8.be Park B&B, Abdijstraat 56, 3001 Heverlee (17 minute walk), www.parkbedandbreakfast.net
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Het Land aan de Overkant
| www.hetlandaandeoverkant.be
Don’t miss Slachschaep, Mechelsestraat 93 in Leuven, www.slachschaep.be. Vincent De Leeuw is a unique butcher specialising in lamb and selling various lamb specialities, as well as ready-made dishes and game in season.
Flemish kitchen
rebels
Flanders for Foodies Flanders For Foodies (Vlaanderen Lekker Land) is an organisation that together with its partners the Provincial Tourist Organisations and Horeca Vlaanderen, promotes the Flemish food, drink and restaurant culture. This initiative is also supported by the Flemish Minister for Tourism Geert Bourgeois and Visit Flanders. www.flandersforfoodies.be
Flemish kitchen
rebels
flemish KITCHEN REBELS COOK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE Through the Flemish Kitchen Rebel youth campaign in Flanders, young people aged between 18 and 30 are given the opportunity to visit a fine-dining restaurant for € 45 all inclusive. The campaign runs from 1 October to 15 November 2013. Last year, this youth campaign attracted over 7,000 young people. The chefs participating in this youth campaign are indicated in this magazine via the Flemish Kitchen Rebel label.
KITCHEN REBELS IS AN INITIATIVE OF:
words: Flanders for Foodies & Marc Declercq | pictures of young chefs: Michael Dehaspe – www.dehaspe.com | pictures Hertog Jan: Kristof Vrancken | design: Magenta – www.magenta.be
www.flemishkitchenrebels.be
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promising young Flemish chefs Achim VandenbusscHE
Alexandre Dionisio
Bart De Bondt
Bart Tastenhoye
Benjamin Laborie
Benny Van Torre
Bernard Dewitte
Broes Tavernier
Damien Bouchéry
Davy Schellemans
Dennis Broeckx
Floris Panckoucke
Frédéric Helsen
Frederik Deceuninck
Gregory Schatteman
Hilaire Spreeuwers
Jan Supply
Jan Tournier
Jason Blanckaert
Julie Baekelandt
Ken Verschueren
Kobe Desramaults
Koen Verjans
Kristof Marrannes
Lesley De Vlieger
Michael Vrijmoed
Olly Ceulenaere
Pieter Lonneville
Reinout Reniere
Seppe Nobels
Stefan Jacobs
Steven Van Snick
Thierry Theys
Tim Boury
Wim De Jonghe
Den Dyver Bruges West Flanders
Bowery Schaarbeek Brussels
Bouchery Ukkel Brussels
Helsen Kasterlee Province of Antwerp
Deauville Kluisbergen East Flanders
De Tuinkamer Antwerp Province of Antwerp
Terborght Huizingen Flemish Brabant
Zeno Bruges West Flanders
Nuance Duffel Province of Antwerp
Alexandre Brussels Brussels
Markt XI De Haan West Flanders
Veranda Berchem Province of Antwerp
Sel Gris Duinbergen West Flanders
Cuchara Lommel Limburg
In De Wulf and De Vitrine Heuvelland and Gent West Flanders and East Flanders
Vrijmoed Ghent East Flanders
Graanmarkt 13 Antwerp Antwerp
Boury Roeselare West Flanders
Discover more about gastronomy at www.visitflanders.com
Bart De Bondt Tienen Flemish Brabant
Benoit en Bernard Dewitte Zingem East Flanders
L’Epiceriè du Cirque Antwerp Antwerp
Schatteman Hertsberge West Flanders
J.E.F. Ghent East Flanders
Innesto Houthalen Limburg
Volta and De Avonden Ghent East Flanders
Va Doux Vent Ukkel Brussels
Het Land aan de Overkant Leuven Flemish Brabant
Kelderman Aalst East Flanders
’t Vijfde Seizoen Aalter East Flanders
Savarin Ostend West Flanders
BitterZoet Zonhoven Limburg
Brasserie Vinois Deurle East Flanders
Ter Leepe Zedelgem West Flanders
Tête Pressée Bruges (Sint-Michiels) West Flanders
De Verborgen Tuin Geraardsbergen East Flanders