Flanders offers food for thought

Think Belgian gastronomy is limited to moules frites and some heady monastic beers? Well Tourism Flanders has teamed up with Harrods in London to offer a celebratory insight into the region’s finest food and drink.

From 25 November until 8 December, the luxury department store will host some of the Flemish coast’s most high profile chefs, while featuring a wide range of premium Flemish products in its food halls.

Michelin-starred chefs Bart Desmidt, David Sevranckx, Piet Devriendt, and Vincent Florizoone have all contributed recipes, which will be offered at the Harrods Sea Grill and Rotisserie restaurants.

Each chef will give a masterclass in Flemish cuisine to the Harrods chefs, as they prepare to turn out signature dishes including marinated oxtail, steak tartare and fresh scallops.

The Harrods bakery will be hard at work producing speculoos, a spice-infused biscuit, as well as freshly made waffles.

Flemish cheeses, charcuterie and seafood will also be on display, as well as the region’s famous beers and jenever, the malt wine spirit from which gin is descended.

As you might expect from Belgium, chocolate will also feature heavily in the promotion, with the Harrods 2nd floor Chocolate Bar providing a natural focus. Head upstairs to check out the fresh chocolate-covered waffles or hot chocolate made from flavoured chocolate sticks.

Whether they choose to indulge in the restaurants, Chocolate Bar or food hall, Harrods customers will also be given the chance to win a weekend for two on the Flemish coast.

Dawn Page, director of Tourism Flanders-Brussels UK explained: “We are proud of the forthcoming promotion in association with Harrods. We hope to showcase the best of Flemish food and drink and give gastronomes ‘food for thought’ when they plan their next trip to the continent.”

Gabriel Savage, 17.11.09