Ostend shrimp croquette festival breaks records again

More than 60,000 croquettes were sold at the Shrimp Croquette Festival in Ostend, which attracted over 84,000 visitors to the annual three-day event on the Belgian coast.

A professional jury proclaimed Leffe Beach’s croquette to be the best savoury snack among 15 competing restaurants. Meanwhile, North took home the public prize and a children's jury chose 't Zeezotje as its favourite shrimp treat.

“Life is just a little bit better with a layer of breadcrumbs,” quipped Ostend tourism. The festival’s sold-out sixth edition exceeded the success of its previous five events. “We have once again broken all records. It’s fantastic to see the passion for our culinary heritage continuing to grow,” said the tourist office’s Rob Jonckheere. 

“The 15 participating chefs gave it their all over the three days [10-12 October]. This festival not only supports our local hospitality industry and fisheries, but it also puts Ostend firmly on the map as the seaside’s leading culinary destination,” he added.

In addition to endless opportunities to taste or watch the star attraction being prepared, the festival also hosted workshops on wine – perfect to accompany the Belgian speciality.

The local restaurants attempting to produce the perfect croquette had to use North Sea shrimps in their fishy delicacies, which also needed to weigh precisely 40 grams. Otherwise, chefs were free to create the tasty morsels according to their own signature recipe.

Leading the professional jury was chef Piet Huysentruyt, accompanied by vice-chair and media personality Manu Van Acker, as well as Toni De Coninck, Louise Goedefroy, Sven de Ville and Elien Verhulst.

The shrimp croquettes were tasted blind and judged on the basis of taste, texture, filling and crust. All winners received an engraved shrimp from Jero Design.

If you are already hungry for more shrimp entertainment, the next edition of the festival is scheduled for the weekend of 8 October 2027.

Photos: ©Nick Decombel Fotografie