You don’t want to miss these five dishes at Antwerpen Proeft this year: “This is quintessentially summery, ideal for this weather” (Antwerp)

The organization was positively shocked by the enormous turnout from day one. “What was that to me? It was a full house and the cup final of den Antwerp was still going on. It was even crazier than last year and it was already such a puppet show. Who knows, we may be heading for the toughest edition ever,” says satisfied co-organizer Ward Ramaekers.

Meat: wagyu carpaccio

The wagyu carpaccio from the Antwerp restaurant Mey is one of the most expensive dishes (12 euros), but you do get something unique in return. The noble Japanese beef is sliced ​​wafer-thin and melts in your mouth. The dish is finished with homemade truffle mayonnaise and grana padano. For those who have never tried wagyu or aren’t crazy about carpaccio, now is the time to be converted.

Fish: gilthead bream sushi roll

Wout Bru from Le Grand Verre is one of the crowd pullers at Antwerpen Proeft. Last year, the Antwerp star chef – who cooks in Durbuy – presented a dish with pork belly. Now he says he consciously opted for something lighter and fresher. “And with this warm weather I have done well,” he says. He presents a thoroughly summery sushi roll (9 euros) with a very fresh granité of basil and lime, a green herb gravy and wakame espuma. The piece of sushi is finished quickly, but fortunately the taste lingers for a long time. Ideal as a snack in this beautiful weather.

Comfort food: hake tempura

This white fish is deep-fried in a tempura batter by the chefs of Bia Mara from Antwerp. The batter contains lemon and basil, which makes this fatty preparation fresh. You get fried potato slices (we wouldn’t call them fries), which are salted with seaweed. The party is complete with the homemade garlic sauce and a little truffle (9 euros). Filling, but worth it.

Veggie: fried latke

Most exhibitors have developed one or more veggie or vegan dishes. The traditional fried Jewish latke (7.5 euros) made of grated potato and leek, comparable to a rösti between a bun, is special and particularly successful. The mango and chili salsa makes it just fresh and spicy enough. The latke is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. And that description may also apply to chef Tulli Padwa, known for Shalom Everyone!who sells his dishes with great enthusiasm.

Sweet: cannolo tiramisu

If you are looking for a sweet ending, there is plenty of choice. The cannolo tiramisu (7.5 euros) from the Antwerp store Cannolo shows what the Sicilian dessert should be: a crispy cookie that is filled in front of the customer and finished with mascarpone, coffee cream, coffee jam and dark chocolate on the side. ends. This is a treat. Please note: only available on Fridays.

Thursday was Thomas Diepersloot from Fine Fleur

Roger van Damme’s famous Brussels waffles are available for four days. —