Chef Peter Aesaert wins Belgian final of Bocuse d'Or

The 41-year-old chef Peter Aesaert, of Belgocatering in Aalst, is winner of the 2015 Belgian Bocuse d'Or, a prestigious culinary competition. The win qualifies Asaert to represent Belgium at the European final in Budapest.

For the Belgian final in Ghent's Flanders Expo, each candidate made a starter using cod and Duvel, and a main dish with guinea fowl. Aesaert won over the jury with both dishes, “especially his preparation with guinea fowl, where he clearly stood out from the other candidates,” said jury chairman Peter Goossens, head of the three-star restaurant Hof van Cleve. “Poultry is not an easy product to prepare, to get the cooking just right.” The jury also evaluated the trimmings, sauce and presentation.