Organized by the Karicol Convivium, the first edition of Taste Brussels began yesterday with eco-gastronomic walks, Slow Food menus in eateries across the city, artisan producer visits and tastings – all highlighting the diversity found within the metropolitan center.
An extensive program continues until this Sunday, offering the city’s inhabitants and visitors an opportunity to: tour breweries and bakeries; taste natural wines, local cheeses and artisan ice cream; visit Belgium chocolate artisans; dine in restaurants offering special menus; explore organic and botanical gardens; and join various tours.
Local shops, cooks, food and wine producers, and amateur and professional growers have been involved in the planning of the event and many of the city’s chefs have committed to the hospitality charter established by the Karikol convivium. These restaurants are offering a set price Slow Food menu each evening, promoting good, clean and fair food from the region.
Moreover, the chefs have taken inventive steps to make changes to their dining spaces to foster greater conviviality (communal tables, kitchen visits, herb picking with chefs), and to promote taste education and biodiversity protection they provide information on products and producers, including the history of the ingredients and recipes used.
On Sunday Taste Brussels coincides with Brussels Car Free Day and the 2008 addition Bruxelles Champetre – a major event promoting positive economy which focuses on sustainable food this year. Slow Food Karikol will organize several events at Bruxelles Champetre: a Slow Food market with producers from the eleven Belgian convivia; a Sustainable Food Village with representatives from the Brussels’ Network for Sustainable Food and Slow Food convivia; and a huge picnic set in the Place des Palais, where crowds can enjoy produce from the market.
For more information:
www.gouterbruxelles.be
Bess Mucke
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