Three Belgian chefs in Top 100
Three Belgian chefs have been voted among the Top 100 in the world by the French culinary magazine Le Chef.
The three are Christophe Hardiquest of the two-star Bon Bon in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre in Brussels in 66th place, followed in 79th place by Peter Goossens of Hof Van Cleve in Kruishoutem in East Flanders, the only remaining three-star restaurant in the country. Former three-star chef Gert De Mangeleer (photo) is in 87th place.
The only problem is, De Mangeleer’s three-star Hertog Jan in Zedelgem near Bruges is due to close on 22 December. De Mangeleer and his sommelier-partner Joachim Boudens plan to open three new ventures.
Bistro L.E.S.S. in Bruges itself will serve tapas and sharing dishes, with an adjoining bakery-patisserie, coffee shop and wine bar; a new restaurant run by the sous-chefs and maitre of Hertog Jan will serve traditional Flemish dishes; and, in the current premises, Hoeve Hertog Jan, an events space with catering for product launches, conferences, weddings and the like.
The Le Chef rankings were led by a French chef in first place: Arnaud Donckele of three-star restaurant La vague d’or in Saint-Tropez. Last year’s winner, Michel Troisgros of Maison Troisgros (***), sits in second place, with Dutch chef Jonnie Boer of restaurant De Librije in Zwolle (*** and only the second three-star in the country after Oud Sluis) in third place.
The placings are determined by a poll of two- and three-star chefs around the world, who are asked one question: Who are the five international chefs who best represent the values of the profession, create an indispensable cuisine and who absolutely need to be visited?
The awards were created in 2015, and have featured a French chef in first place every year since.