The best artisanal and sustainable galette des rois in Brussels is the one made by Boulengier in Saint-Gilles, the organizers of the first edition of the competition announced in a press release on Thursday, a few days before the traditional celebration of the Epiphany. Followed by Hermine in Ixelles and Fiston in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert to complete the podium of winners.
The competition was open to all artisanal establishments located in the Brussels Region, under the aegis of Mingle, a sustainable food consultancy agency, and in collaboration with Tartine et Boterham, the guide to artisanal bakeries and pastries in Brussels and in Wallonia. “We really didn’t expect it. We are very proud and very happy. We have been fighting for a long time to maintain craftsmanship and sustainability at Boulengier. It’s a great recognition”commented Marc Paeps, one of the associated owners of the Saint-Gilloise bakery. Crowned with its title, Boulengier has slightly increased its production this year to 3,000 units, which will be marketed from Saturday and until the following weekend.
The cake had to contain at least three out of five products of Belgian, organic and/or artisanal origin: flour, eggs, butter, almonds and beans. Candidates earned more points if four or five ingredients met at least one of these criteria, which were more difficult to achieve, for example for almonds, grown abroad. It was also forbidden to use any almond flavoring or margarine. “People pay attention all year round to the quality and sustainability of what they eat. Once the holidays arrive, they turn a blind eye… Why? There are many expensive pancakes that are made with low quality products. My goal is to show that it is possible to be artisanal, sustainable and good“, explains the founder of Mingle, Noémie De Clercq, who aims to perpetuate the competition – at the national level if possible.
In total, 14 pastry chefs were in the running and their creations were tasted blind and behind closed doors on December 15 by a jury made up of eight Brussels journalists and personalities specializing in the culinary sector. The rating was established based on the appearance, filling, flakiness, flavor, but also the durability of the products.
galette des rois Boulengier sustainability sustainable
