Looking Ahead (I): The Flemish Primitives

I am excited – lots of culinary delights are forthcoming this year. Planning for the first quarter is nearly finalized – although there are so many backlog posts from last year. Unfortunately, my time is rather limited recently – but I promise to report on my latest delights – France/Paris was the focus of last the second half of last year. Oh, and Belgium/NL. And some fine meals in Germany. And some very disappointing experiences as well. In places absolutely not expected…

Coming up – I am very much looking forward to attend a fantastic event – The Flemish Primitives. This convention – taking place the second time in Brugge on February 8 (see Laurent’s account on last year’s event) – wants to reinvigorate the spirit of the ‘Flemish Primitives’ of the 15th and 16th century, a movement of painters who got inspired from techniques from other art disciplines. In this sense this years focus is on fruitful collaboration of some of the best Flemish chefs and their guests with leading food research institutions. Back to the future of cooking – a very good motto I must say.

The interesting thing is that I like the modern Flemish cuisine because of both its authenticity rooted in local traditions and products and its modernity. So, we won’t see technology for technology’s sake – but I guess a modern and thoughtful enhancement of the regional spirit. Well, let’s wait and see. Can’t wait, actually…

Off to Belgium (again): Service à 6 Mains at In de Wulf

Well, Belgium and the Netherlands have emerged to a culinary hotspot not only due to Peter Goossens, Sergio Herman and Jonnie Boer ranking among the best chefs in the world. Interestingly, there are many young, very talented chefs who have developed a modern yet distinct culinary style, especially in the Flanders region. At my recent visit there I had fantastic diners at De Jonkman (Filip Claeys has even more emancipated from Sergio compared to last year) and In de Wulf (Kobe Desramaults has created a very unique interpretation of his region – a kind of continental noma but Flanders-style) among others (reviews to come;-) )

Now, Kobe and Filip have joined forces with Alexandre Gauthier from Le Grenouillère in the French part of former Flanders county to show how “their” regional products can be elevated to the culinary high-end. This approach was already very visible at both De Jonkman and In de Wulf when I ate there. But to go the next step, namely to rely mostly on regional produce, it is necessary to cooperate to have synergies in sourcing and logistics. I recall my conversation with René Redzepi when he told war stories from his initial sourcing endeavors…

Filip Claeys, Alexandre Gauthier and Kobe Desramaults (left to right)

Filip Claeys, Alexandre Gauthier and Kobe Desramaults (left to right)

Tonight, a service à 6 mains will take place at In de Wulf to present their approach. So I will be off to In de Wulf again and will report back about the fine details. You can also be there – well, virtually at least: the whole evening is broadcasted live on the net by Cuisiner En Ligne (starting at 4 p.m. CET to present the chefs and their products and then again from 8 p.m. onwards). Watch, enjoy, indulge…