The Hertog Jan was awarded its first Michelin star in 2005 and the second in 2009. Just two years later, the Bruges restaurant has joined the select club of the hundred or so restaurants in the world that have three Michelin stars.
The 2011 Michelin Guide describes Hertog Jan as “Offering deceptively simple dishes under the motto “simplicity is simple””. “Its recipes are based on respect for its locality and the seasons. Moreover, a lot of what is served is home-grown.”
Hertog Jan has its own two-hectare vegetable patch and the restaurant experiments by using a varied assortment of fresh vegetables. The restaurant currently has plans to move to a bigger site.
Chef Gert De Mangeleer said that gaining a third Michelin star was like a dream come true. “I’ve always put our guests first, but as a young man I’m also ambitious. This is something I’ve always dreamed of and the recognition is very important. Our sector of the economy often attracts media attention and this is a good thing for us.”
A second Michelin star was awarded to the De Jonkman in Bruges and Le chalet de la fôret in the Brussels suburb of Ukkel.
The ‘t Zilte restaurant maintained its two-Michelin star status despite moving from its original location in the village of Mol (Antwerp province) to the top floor of the new MAS museum in Antwerp.
Among the restaurants gaining their first Michelin star are Jaloa in central Brussels, Kommilfoo and Kasteel Withof in Antwerp, Innesto in Houthalen (Limburg) and De Tuinkamer in Beerzel (Antwerp province).
