The fourth edition of Belgian Week takes place this week at the Pullman Bucharest World Trade Center. The event is dedicated to the Belgian gastronomy and food industry, having as special guests Alex Verhoeven, chef and owner of the prestigious Fleur de Sel restaurant in Kasterlee, Belgium, and Laurent Gerbaud, the famous Belgian chocolatier.
Belgian week at Pullman Bucharest World Trade Center
Organized for the fourth consecutive year by BEROBA, the Romanian-Belgian Business Association, the Belgian Week enjoys the full support and participation of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Romania.
Alex Verhoeven will create and oversee the preparation of Belgian menus served in Pullman Bucharest restaurants during Belgian Week, as well as at the gala event that will take place on Wednesday in the New York Ballroom.
Alex is the owner of "Fleur de Sel", listed among the best restaurants in Belgium, by both Michelin and Gault & Millau. Alex Verhoeven has made a great impression in the industry, offering a pure cuisine with an elegant balance of flavors obtained through the use of innovative techniques.
Gourmets will be privileged during this edition of Belgian Week, the whole event revolving around the theme of gastronomy. The highly appreciated "gray crevettes" and shells from the North Sea, Belgian chocolate, Belcolade, with a minimum of 70% cocoa were particularly important.
The menu is complemented by chicory and white asparagus, the latter prepared in traditional Flemish style, with Mornay sauce, based on Gruyere cheese. Stefan Popescu, Executive Chef of Pullman Bucharest World Trade Center, said that the fish, cheese and Transylvanian beef prepared with Belgian flavors will not be lacking.
The week's agenda includes a tasting given by chocolate maker Laurent Gerbaud, often called the new face of Belgian chocolate, business conferences and seminars combined with informal networking sessions. On Wednesday, members of the Belgian Meat Producers' Bureau will have meetings with their Romanian partners. On Thursday, there will be a one-day seminar on "Food - a long supply chain".
For those interested in participating in the events organized during the Belgian Week, consult the Belgian Week agenda in Romania 2016.
And now let's talk about numbers. In 2015, imports from Belgium totaled 1.4 billion, an increase of 18,4%, compared to the previous year. Exports to Belgium also increased by 10,8% to 921,9 million.
The sectors with the most intense trade between the two countries are machinery and equipment, transport, chemicals and textiles, according to a report of the Belgian Foreign Trade Agency. In 2015, the exports of the food industry from Belgium to Romania amounted to 150 million.
We end with a question: "When you think of Belgium, what drink and gourmet product come to mind?".