Culinary Innovators 2026 - The Menu

On Monday, May 11, the 9th edition of Gault&Millau’s Culinary Innovators took place at the extraordinary Verbeke Foundation in Kemzeke. Inspired by the theme “Back to the Future”, the event brought together more than 600 guests for an immersive evening where gastronomy, creativity and innovation seamlessly merged.

Over twenty renowned chefs, bartenders and partners guided attendees through a unique culinary journey filled with daring flavours, visionary concepts and unforgettable experiences. From nostalgic reinterpretations and cutting-edge food creations to refined desserts, signature cocktails and exceptional wine pairings, every moment celebrated the future of hospitality while honouring its rich heritage.

Curious about what was served? Below, you'll find the full overview of the dishes and drinks that made the evening truly unforgettable:

Entrance / JRE / Antwerp / Beach / Art Walk Experiences

JRE Experience

• Ralph Hermans (La Source) & Davine Croughs (Hēdonē)
• Seppe Blues (De Fakkels) & Bert Brouwers (Stad10)
• Jeremy Vandernoot (Yirmi) & Kristof Timmermans (Les Abris)

Antwerp Experience

• Jakub “Kuba” Blogowski (Soixante)
• Nicolas Misera (Misera & Bar Misera)
• Didess

Overige chefs & partners

• Michael Vanderhaeghe (Hostellerie St-Nicolas) & Sysco

• Anthony Stoop (Komaf) & Tripel Karmeliet

• Dries Huisseune (JETT) & Unilever

• JOKA

• Imperial Heritage Caviar

• Julius Persoone (The Chocolate Line) & Mark Plazier (Neurosurgeon)

Bartenders & drankpartners

Entrance / Beach / Art Walk Experiences

• Mocktail Shot by The Mocktail Club

• Taittinger Brut Réserve – FIFA Limited Edition by V.A.S.CO

• Evian Pink Fizz & Evian Pink Fizz N/A by Evian

• Premium Cocktails by GRIT Beverages, Gin Mare & Monin

• Premium Cocktails by Fever-Tree

• Tripel Karmeliet & Tripel Karmeliet Grand Cru ’25

• Johnnie Walker Black Label & Ruby Cocktails by Diageo

• AIX by Cinoco

• A Shot of Elixir by Elixir d’Anvers

• SOLO VIDA Brut Reserva by Tomorrowland distributed by V.A.S.CO

Table serving

Dish

“Drunken Eggs”

• Chef Nelson Tanate
• Restaurant: De Librije, Zwolle (Nederland) - 19,5/20

Pairing

• Le Comte de Malartic Blanc 2023, AOC Pessac-Léognan

Second table serving

Dish

“Back to the Future 1992–2026”

• Chef: Piet Huysentruyt
• Lobster, Oyster, Pig’s Trotter & Blood Sausage

Pairing

• Le Coudoulet de Beaucastel Blanc 2022, AOC Côtes-du-Rhône (by Cinoco)

Food

• Monkfish, Asparagus Cassoulet & Wild Garlic
  by Kevin Teugels (Gourmet Invent) & Sligro Food Group

• Tongue of veal, a time machine meal!
  by Chefs Dennis Broeckx & Luc De Laet (De Laet & Van Haver)

• 3 Belgian Tricolore Cheese Croquettes
  by Kaasaffineurs Van Tricht

• POULPE-FICTION
  by NorthSeaChefs

• DeLorean Ice Road - Dame Blanche
  Doc Brown’s Cloud - Tarte Kalamansi
  Marty’s Romanoff Ride - Strawberries Romanoff
  by Didess

• The Mystery Irrésistible
  by Neuhaus

• Coffee Experience
  by Alpro

After dinner drinks

• Duvel on Fire
• Wijnen van V.A.S.CO
• SOLO VIDA Brut Reserva by Tomorrowland
• Mocktails by The Mocktail Club
• Cocktails by Don Papa
• Cocktails by Fever-Tree
• Johnnie Walker Blue Label
• Elixir d’Anvers on the Rocks
• Beer & Water Bar
  • Carlsberg
  • Duvel
  • Evian
  • Tripel Karmeliet

Thanks to our chefs & staff

Chefs

• Nelson Tanate
• Piet Huysentruyt
• Kevin Teugels
• Michael Vanderhaeghe
• Jakub “Kuba” Blogowski
• Nicolas Misera
• Anthony Stoop
• Ralph Hermans
• Davine Crough
• Seppe Blues
• Bert Brouwers
• Jeremy Vandernooot
• Kristof Timmermans
• Dries Huisseune
• Julius Persoone
• Didess
• JRE
• NorthSeaChefs
• De Laet & Van Haver
• Kaasaffineurs Van Tricht
• Kitchenstaff

Staff

• Mise en Place
• Gourmet Invent
• Prime
• HELS
• Kitchenstaff
• House of Hospitality
• Hotelschool Hasselt
• V.T.I Spijker

Tableware

• Levi Party Rental

Premium shuttle

• Audi 

Thanks to our Gault&Millau Ambassador Partners

• Audi
• Delen Private Bank
• Mastercard
• Vivium Assurances

Proud partners

• Gourmet Invent
• Didess
• JOKA
• Kaasaffineurs Van Tricht
• Bossuyt
• Imperial Heritage Caviar
• Carlsberg
• Champagne Taittinger
• Monin
• Sligro Food Group
• Sysco
• V.A.S.CO
• Levi Party Rental
• Stad Antwerpen
• SOLO VIDA
• Neuhaus
• Bridor
• Horeca Expo
• Fever-Tree
• Johnnie Walker
• JRE
• SD Worx
• GRIT Beverages
• Lightspeed
• Cinoco
• Duvel
• Alpro
• NorthSeaChefs
• Evian
• Smaakhaven
• Knokke-Heist
• Oesterij
• Zenchef
• Don Papa
• Hotel Reynaert
• De Laet & Van Haver
• UC Belgium
• Elixir d’Anvers
• Verbeke Foundation
• Winterhalter
• Unilever Food Solutions
• Samsung
• Marigold
• NIVO Finesse
• Verstegen
• Food.be
• The Mocktail Club
• Mise en Place
• Delizio
• HELS
• V.T.I Spijker
• Hotelschool Hasselt
• Gin Mare
• Quisquater

“Enjoy your evening and keep on innovating!”