Mastercooks of Belgium
| Les Maîtres Cuisiniers de Belgique | |
| Formation | 1980 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Pierre Romeyer |
Chairman | Philippe Vanheule |
The Mastercooks of Belgium (French: Les Maîtres Cuisiniers de Belgique) is an association of Belgian chefs. It was founded by Pierre Romeyer, supported by Pierre Wynants and Jacques Deluc, to defend and promote Belgium's national culinary traditions.
The organization awards members with the titles of “Mastercook” and “Young Master". The association has participated in various activities promoting the Mastercooks association. These include hosting competitions such as the Pierre Wynants prize, publishing an annual guide, the book The Mastercooks of Belgium: L'excellence gastronomique belge, and collaborating on the tv show Z-Mastercooks.
History
In 1980, Pierre Romeyer established the association along with Pierre Wynants and Jacques Deluc, in order to create a Belgian professional body of Chefs, dedicated to defending Belgian Culinary tradition.[1][2][3] Romeyer was motivated to start the organization after being rejected by the French association of master chefs, which did not accept women or foreigners.[4] Other founders of the organization include Robert Van Duüren, Claude Dupont, and Pierrot Fonteyne.[1][5] The founders originally named the association the Maîtres Cuisiniers (Master Chefs), but it was retitled the Master Cooks of Belgium (Les Maîtres Cuisiniers de Belgique).[6]
Former Presidents of the association include Pierrot Fontayne, Guy Van Cauteren, Alain Deluc, Robert Van Duüren, Frank Fol, and Cédric Poncelet.[7] The organization's structure consists of 3 vice-presidents representing Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels.[7] The current chairman of the MasterCooks of Belgium is Philippe Vanheul.[1]
Membership
The association currently has 175 Mastercooks.[1] As of 2019, 44 mastercooks have Michelin stars.[8][9]
Activities
Publications
The organization publishes a guide highlighting the bios of its members, including representatives in Spain, France, and the United States.[10][11] The guide describes the events, restaurants, and best cooks in Belgium. It contains recommendations from Gault & Millau and Michelin ratings.[12]
The Mastercooks participate in the television program Z-Mastercooks, which runs on the business channels Kanaal Z/Canal Z.[13]
Certifications, master competitions, and collaborations
The association bestows professional designations to its fellows, the Young Master and Mastercook.[14][15][16]
The association has also chaired other competitions, such as the "Best Artisan Chef of Belgium" award (Meilleur Artisan-Cuisinier de Belgique).[17][18][19]
Mastercooks collaborates with Carrefour Belgium to review products.[20]
Training and youth competitions
In 2021, the association created Le Qunizain des Jeunes to promote interest in Belgian gastronomy by offering discounted menus to restaurant-goers under 25.[21]
The Young Masters program supplements this endeavor.[22] Mentorship is part of the program.[23]
Another initiative targeted towards the youth is the biannual Pierre Wynants contest.[24][25] The winners get to represent Belgium internationally.[16][19][24]
External links
References
- ^ a b c d Horeca Webzine. “« The Mastercooks of Belgium » accueillent 13 nouveaux grands chefs.” Horeca Webzine, 29 May 2025.
- ^ “Les sauces de la vie : The Mastercooks of Belgium, les véritables maîtres du goût de notre pays.” DHnet, 9 Jan. 2022.
- ^ Peter Scholliers, Food Culture in Belgium, London: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2003, p. 94.
- ^ Le Soir. "Pierre Romeyer, 'le Bocuse belge', est mort." Le Soir, 12 July 2018.
- ^ "Gastronomie belge, une histoire de confluences." Le Soir, 20 Jan. 2016.
- ^ "Ce livre de recettes avec 120 meilleures recettes est le cadeau de Noël idéal." Horeca Webzine, 6 Dec. 2022.
- ^ a b Horeca Magazine. “Cédric Poncelet, nouveau Président The Mastercooks of Belgium.” Horeca Magazine, 27 May 2021.
- ^ Fine Dining Lovers. “Le Chef Lists 100 of The Best Chefs in the World.” Fine Dining Lovers, 30 Jan. 2015.
- ^ The Bulletin. “Chef of Hof Van Cleve Is in World Top 20.” The_Bulletin, 8 Oct. 2018,
- ^ Horeca Magazine. “Mastercooks of Belgium: The Guide 2018.” Horeca Magazine, 12 Sept. 2017.
- ^ Rochette, Joëlle. “Un nouveau guide réunit les Maîtres Cuisiniers de Belgique.” Fifty & Me Magazine, 8 Jan. 2018.
- ^ Banks, Martin. “The Finest Chefs in the Kingdom: Mastercooks of Belgium.” Brussels Express, 10 Nov. 2018.
- ^ Roularta Media Group. "Topchefs in de tweede reeks 'Z-Mastercooks'." Roularta Newsroom, 20 Oct. 2020.
- ^ Horeca Magazine. “Cédric Poncelet – The Mastercooks of Belgium.” Horeca Magazine, 14 June 2023.
- ^ Horeca Webzine. “Young Master Dylan De Meyere : la passion derrière la poêle depuis l’âge de 15 ans.” Horeca Webzine, 17 Jan. 2025.
- ^ a b DHnet. “Le Wavrien Curtis Mulpas et son équipe qualifiée pour le concours culinaire Pierre Wynants Trophy 2022.” DHnet, 28 Sept. 2022.
- ^ Le « Meilleur Artisan‑Cuisinier de Belgique » …Les 7 Fontaines d’Awenne (Saint‑Hubert) à l’honneur à Bruxelles !. Ardenne Web, 12 Oct. 2008, Nov. 2025.
- ^ O Accindinus, Meilleur Artisan‑Cuisinier, La Dernière Heure (DHnet), 12 October 2008.
- ^ a b La fille & Le garçon. “Les espoirs de la cuisine belge.” La cuisine à quatre mains – La Libre, 23 Sept. 2014.
- ^ Carrefour Belgique. “Carrefour célèbre 10 ans de collaboration avec The Mastercooks of Belgium en faveur du goût et de la qualité de ses produits.” Carrefour Newsroom, 15 July 2024.
- ^ Kerzmann, Régine. “Michel Preud’homme, Parrain de la nouvelle ‘Quinzaine des Jeunes’ des Mastercooks.” L‑Post, 9 Nov. 2021.
- ^ La Libre. “Nouvelle génération en cuisine : voici 16 jeunes chefs belges à connaître.” La Libre, 25 May 2018.
- ^ Manley. "The Mastercooks veulent mettre la Belgique en avant comme terre de légumes." News.manley.eu, 11 Sept. 2020.
- ^ a b "The Mastercooks launch the first edition of the “Pierre Wynants Trophy – The Belgian Star” (SUDINFO), 2024.
- ^ “Simon Denis est la nouvelle «Étoile de la cuisine belge’.” Le_Soir, 4 Nov. 2014.