Eat! BRUSSELS, Drink! BORDEAUX

Brussels, Belgium will be hosting their sixth instalment of the annual eat! BRUSSELS, drink! BORDEAUX festival from 7 to 10 September 2017 in Brussels Park (Parc de Bruxelles/Warandepark).

I have attended four out of the five previous events and only missed one because I was out of the country at the time. I was even there in 2015 when I was 8 months pregnant and inhaling food from friends in exchange for giving them my wine passes (this was also the time that I ate dessert first and worked my way back through mains to starters.)

Why should you attend?

Twenty Brussels-based chefs will be serving delicious signature dishes (including a wider variety of dessert options this year from local pastry chefs!)
Wines from Fifty Bordeaux wine producers will be available to match your food choices, brought to you by Vins de Bordeaux
Wine tasting Masterclasses are scheduled throughout the festival in a variety of languages (EN/FR/NL), including 2 new workshops having special focus for those with a sweet tooth (i.e. wine paring with pastries or chocolate = double yum!)
Get creative and participate in some original artwork with Harwan Red
Expand your adventurous side by biting into a chocolate covered cricket. (Ah… yes, an actual insect)
An International Pavilion extends the tasting experience with 9 bilateral partners showcasing their cultural culinary specialities. These include tastes from Rabat-Sale-Kenitra (Morocco); Quebec (Canada); Beijing (China); Szechaun Province (China); Berlin (Germany); Kiev (Ukraine); Ljublijana (Slovenia); Mazovia (Poland) and Sofia (Bulgaria).
Sign up to a Duvel Beer or a cooking workshop

Eat! BRUSSELS, drink! BORDEAUX caters to friends, families, foodies and pretty much anyone who enjoys eating, drinking and having fun.

What do you need to know

Dates: Thursday 7th September to Sunday 10th September 2017 (12h00 noon until 23h00)

Venue: Brussels Park opposite the Royal Palace easily accessible by car, public transport (Metro 1/ 2/ 5/ 6 ; Bus 38/ 63/ 71/ 86 or Tram 92/ 93), bicycle or by foot.

Cost: Entrance is FREE but you do need to pay for food/drink/activities (one credit = one euro)

Food: Each signature dish costs ~9€ but there are several pre-sale packages online (for one person 36 credits for two people 32€ or 70 credits for 59€). It might sound expensive – but trust me, it is a great outing and worth it!

Wine: A wine pass costs 14€ (pre-purchase online) or 18€ (on the day) and offers eleven wine tastings (decent sized if previous years are to be used as a reference); one wine masterclass/workshop of your choice; one water; one coffee and one mini Duvel beer tasting PLUS an engraved glass and holder!

Change to last year: Previously, it was required to purchase tokens or tickets which were exchanged at each food/drink stand. But now, a magnetic card will centralise all payments and allow for simpler and more secure transactions (and no more fumbling around in pockets and bags for tickets / tokens). Once the card is purchased and loaded, it can also be easily topped up with more credit at any one of the ticket sale offices on site.

Looking for a nearby accommodation? Modern and stylish, the official hotel partner, The Hotel, is just a short walk away from the Royal Palace and the festival, with rates starting at 139€ per room. It also offers a spa/sauna on the 23rd floor so that you can unwind and relax with views across the city. And if you weren’t already stuffed from all the food at the festival… check out The Restaurant!