Bailli Délégué Ilse Duponcheel was pleased to announce not only Belgium’s National Final of the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition, but also - and for the first time in Belgium - the National Final of the Jeunes Sommeliers Competition.

The Bailliage is a firm believer in the Chaîne's mission to stimulate the development of young chefs and Sommeliers around the world. For many years the Bailliage has entered a young Chef in the International Final, accordingly it was delighted to at last able to select a young Sommelier too.

The National Finals were held simultaneously at RHIZO Hotelschool in Kortrijk. The winners of will now represent Belgium at the International Finals in France: Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs in Paris in September and the Jeunes Sommeliers now in Lyon in November.

BELGIUM JEUNES CHEFS RÔTISSEURS 2021
The competition was organized by Conseiller Culinaire Jean-Baptiste Thomaes of Château du Mylord (Michelin 2-stars).

Competition Captain on the day was Maître Rôtisseur David Grosdent, Chef of the Michelin 1-star restaurant L’Envie in the Flanders town of Sint-Denijs. NB. During his formative years David was a competitor in the Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs Competition!

Finalists and ranking in the final
Kenzo Li (Winner) from La Table de Demain in Namur
Florian De Ruyck (Runner-up) from Restaurant Alain Bianchin in Overijse
Elien Verhulst (Third Place) from Resto Vlass in Middelkerke
Quinten Poppe from ‘t Buikse Rond in Destelbergen
Victor Darthet from the Vives University College in Bruges

Reserve candidates
Daniël Jansen and Melania Buize from Ter Groene Poorte in Bruges

BELGIUM JEUNES SOMMELIERS 2021
One of the missions of our Confrérie is to promote the tasting, knowledge and pairing of fine wines and other artisanal drinks.

The framework of our association ensures professional participation, one of its objectives being to help, encourage and support young professionals who have the potential to become future top Sommeliers.

Finalists and ranking in the final
Emma Neerinck (Winner) - Shop Sommelier at Wijnhandel Crombé in Kortrijk
Elise De Waele (Runner-up) - Sommelier at Restaurant Sans Cravate in Bruges
Kenzo Lauwereins (Third Place) - Sommelier at Restaurant Vlass in Middelkerke
Davine Warnez - Sommelier at Dhofstee in Roeselare
Lény Michel - Sommelier at Restaurant l’Horizon in Chaumont-Gistoux
Lisa Vanderstraeten - Sommelier at Restaurant Lys d’Or in Ghent
Lizette Viaene - a LoReCa student at Vives College in Bruges

The organisers of the competition were Maître Sommeliers Kristine De Grave and Dominique Crombé.

On behalf of the National Bailliage, I praise all the participants for their high standards. It is clear they all have a bright future in the hospitality industry.

Much appreciation is due to the named organisers as well as to everyone involved in ensuring the successful staging of the two finals. A special mention is reserved for Maître Rôtisseur Bart Langhe who produced the video and took the photographs.

Last but not least, warm congratulations go to our two winners, Kenzo Li and Emma Neerinck, who will represent Belgium in Paris and Lyon respectively.

Vive la Chaîne!

Ilse Duponcheel
Bailli Délégué