25-year-old Cedric Van der Elst delighted the judges of the 'Premier cuisinier de Belgique 2024' competition on Monday and was crowed Belgium's best chef.
The sous-chef of the Sir Kwinten restaurant in Lennik (Flemish Brabant) won the title of the 71st edition of this mastery competition organised by the non-profit Club gastronomique Prosper Montagné, which brings together some of the biggest names in Belgium's culinary profession.
Jorben Pauwels was crowned 'Best kitchen assistant', coming second to chef Nicolas Mylle.
This was the second time Van der Elst took part in the competition. Flem Cnockaert, chef at Hostellerie Lesco in Wetteren (East Flanders), Kim De Vos, sous-chef at Zuid 55 Bruges, Nicolas Mylle, sous-chef at Eykerhof in Bornem and Corentin Lonnoy, chef at Comptoir de l'eau Vive in Erpent were also competing for the coveted title of 'Premier Cuisinier de Belgique'.
Each had to prepare a set menu consisting of a starter of whiting, prawns, fresh pasta – prepared on site – and a vegetable of their choice; a main course of stuffed quail and sweetbreads and finally, a dessert of milk chocolate, hazelnuts, shortbread and citrus fruit.
The competition's ambassador, 1998 winner and double Michelin-starred chef David Martin, announced the winner. Delighted at the end of a "particularly interesting day," the chef of La Paix stressed that, after "not the easiest" period for the restaurant sector, there was reason to be confident about the future given the "desire" and "creativity" seen over the course of the day.
