Together with Chevalier Jan De Kimpe, in my professional capacity as Co-Owner and Editor of Dolce Magazine, for five years now I have organised the “Dolce Pétanque* Competition for Chefs at Knokke-Heist, Belgium’s best-known and most affluent seaside resort.

The aim of the informal event is to promote networking between hospitality professionals and at the same time discover new inspirational products. For example this year an algae burger served by Vito Mory, our 2019 National Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition winner who will be representing Belgium at the International Final in Calgary, Canada, in September.

Since becoming Chargée de Presse for the Bailliage of Belgium, I am encouraged by the increasing number of existing Chaîne Professional members who are participating in our pétanque event. The aim of course is also to inspire other Chefs to become a member of the Chaîne.

During the day the pétanque took place on the beach at Heist. Maître Rôtisseur Jean-Michel Bourrat representing La Boule Obut was coach for this sporting element in the programme. There was a high level of participation in the various stages in the competition, all of which were very keenly contested!

The culinary part of the event was organized by Maître Rôtisseur Peter De Groote from Ten Dauwe. Throughout the day people could sample new finger food. In the evening there was a “walking” dinner at Cartoon Festival where everyone could circulate amongst the tables and stalls where delights awaited them.

This year's 58th Cartoon Festival in Knokke-Heist, the gastronomic municipality par excellence, is one to lick your fingers at. During July and August this year the themed exhibition “NJAM NJAM” takes you on a culinary cartoon trip. Twenty-two top Belgian cartoonists set to work on the theme and immortalized their creative twists in hilarious cartoons. In the cartoon pavilion on the Heldenplein in Heist, every room had a different bite sensation. It was here that Vito Mory our 2019 Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseur Competition winner accompanied by his coach Maître Rôtisseur Bruno Elsier, presented the algae burger mentioned above.

Wine was the responsibility of Maître Sommelier Dominique Crombé and the cheese selection was coordinated by Maître Rôtisseur Luc Callebaut from Cheesemongers Callebaut Vanhaver.

Patrons of the event were Chef Ghislaine Arabian from Paris and Chef Edwin Menue from Cuines 33 in Knokke. Naturally, we are hoping to convince them to become Chaîne members.

Ilse Duponcheel
Chancelier

Photos courtesy of Maître Rôtisseur Bart Tanghe

* Pétanque is a form of boules where the aim is to toss or roll hollow steel balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a “cochonnet” (literally "piglet") or jack, while standing inside a circle with both feet on the ground.